Lindsay Smith

Staff Q & A

Pronouns: She/ Hers

Hometown: North Little Rock, AR

Title: Assistant Director for Marketing & Public Relations at UREC

Years of Service: 12 years

Education: B.A. in Journalism (Advertising/ Public Relations)
M.Ed. – Both of my degrees are from the University of Arkansas. WPS!

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

University Recreation moved under the Division of Student Affairs in 2019, and I think it is the perfect fit. Working in student affairs gives you an opportunity to assist students during an important and critical time in their lives. As a student affairs practitioner, I can be a mentor that can help change students’ lives for the better. It has been a rewarding career so far.

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

I oversee UREC’s marketing department, as well as the public relations side of the house. I love that I get to be creative, and that it is continually changing and evolving (hello social media) so I rarely have a boring day at the office. On top of that, working with college students generates its own kind of excitement and energy.

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

I think a misconception that I hear from time to time is that extracurricular activities are distractions from the “real” educational experiences. Personally, I found some of my lifelong friends through the RSOs I joined while I was in undergrad. Additionally, we conducted a study at UREC that found that students who use UREC have a greater sense of belonging at our institution and maintain higher GPAs!

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

I am a home body. I enjoy spending time with my family, eating good food, traveling, discovering new music, and taking care of my plant babies. 

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

I hope that they would say that I am creative, reliable, and enjoyable to work with.

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

My coworkers inspire me daily to make my physical and mental health a priority, and I am thankful for it!