Adrain Smith

Staff Q & A

Hometown: Rison, AR

Title: Director of Leadership & Diversity Initiatives, Center for Multicultural & Diversity Education (Multicultural Center)

Years of Service (UofA): 18 Years, 16 years as a Full-Time Professional

Education: · Bachelor of Arts in Sociology- University of Central Arkansas (2002)  Master of Education in Higher Education: Administration & Organization- University of Arkansas- Fayetteville (2004)

How long have you been at the University of Arkansas in Student Affairs? What have you enjoyed most about your time here?

I have been working for the University of Arkansas and the Division of Student Affairs for over 18 years; 16 years as a full time professional and 2 years as a graduate assistant. What I have enjoyed the most about my time at the University of Arkansas, including within the Division of Student Affairs, is the relationships I have been able to foster and cultivate over time. From incoming students who have become mentees and to colleagues that have become family. What I cherish the most about my time is the impact I have had on the lives of those I have been fortunate enough to come into contact with and those I have yet to meet.

Tell us a little about your role in Student Affairs. What brings you joy in this role?

I currently serve as the Director of Leadership & Diversity Initiatives within the Center for Multicultural & Diversity Education, or simply known as the MC or the Multicultural Center to everyone here on campus. In this role, I provide leadership and vision to assist the Center with moving the institution’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion mission, goals, and objectives forward. I do this through overseeing the Center’s leadership, student engagement, and diversity education efforts, programs, and initiatives. This role provides me vast opportunities to foster and create a sense of belonging for marginalized students at the University. It also provides me an opportunity in ensuring that we as the University of Arkansas are providing them the experiences they want, need, desire, and deserve. There are so many things that provide me joy in the role but the one that always stands true to who I am as a person is having the daily opportunity to engage with students. The daily chance to provide them with mentorship, support, encouragement, guidance, strength, motivation, and hope. Also, the opportunity to see them accomplish their goals, dreams, and aspirations AND to see them become the best version of the person that they always dreamed to be are somethings that always brings me joy and a huge smile on my face.

What is the greatest misconception people have about Student Affairs and how do you break that?

I think the greatest misconception about Student Affairs is all we do is plan, provide, and evaluate programs. Engagement is at the heart and core of student retention, success, and graduation. Areas such as, student learning, persistence, and attainment in college are strongly associated with student engagement. Engagement provides students the opportunity to find mentorship which has proven to be a high-impact practice when it comes to student success, it provides the opportunity to develop competencies that are critical for their future careers, and provides students a sense of community, connection, and bond to the institution. We have to share this narrative more broadly to demystify the narrative that we, as Student Affairs, are just here to provide out of class experiences. Throughout my career, I have always seen myself more as an educator than that of an administrator. I always seek out innovative ways to engage, teach, mentor, empower, and inspire students in learning with every interaction; whether it’s a training, workshop, program, advising appointment, or a casual conversation.

What do you like to do with your time outside of the University?

I like to spend as much time as possible with the loves of my life; my kids, Miles and Hayden. There is nothing I enjoy or take pride in more than being a father. It has been my great honor to be their parent, coach, cheerleader, advocate, role model, and educator. You can find us making arts and crafts, walking on the Fayetteville trails, having dance parties, or just snuggling up to a great movie. When I am not being a dad, you can find me watching anime, quietly providing service to others, or enjoying those that mean the most to me. SN: I do love a good glass of bourbon and a cigar.

What do you hope students and colleagues will remember about your interactions?

I hope students and colleagues will always remember how I made them feel. It is my hope they feel valued, loved, appreciated, invested in, cared for, and heard. I hope that through my interactions with them that I provide comfort, assurance, joy, happiness, and laughter. I hope that I have provided them with what they needed or didn’t even know was needed after our interactions. I want my students and colleagues to know that this is not just a one-time feeling but a continuous one that they will always get with me and that they know that no matter what; they can always count on me.

Is there anything else you would like to add or let our readers know?

To my students and to my colleagues, know that you are valuable, you all are appreciated, loved, and MATTER! If you need anything, even just someone to just listen to you, please reach out to me anytime at atsmith@uark.edu. The MC is YOUR home away from home, please reach out and come visit us in 404 in the Arkansas Union. Remember the Meet Me At The MC, it’s the place to Be. To Belong, Become and Be You!