ALUMNI
unique experiences that will set
ENGAGEMENT
them apart in their career field.”
Alumni Services
portance of the reimagined Day
Smith emphasized the imof Giving, which last year raised more than $100,000 for seven specific projects. “I am planning UAFS’s Day of Giving which supports special projects and initiatives to create unique experiences for students that couldn’t happen without the support of our community,” Smith said. “I hope I can grow Day of Giving and other annual giving initiatives because I know our students don’t take these opportunities for granted, and they deserve the absolute best.” Equally committed to providing the absolute best for students and alumni, Josh Simonds said his interest in alumni service comes from his belief that students are “endlessly hardworking and authentic in a way I think is re-
ALUMNI STAFF: Jasmine Smith, center, is the director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving. Josh Simonds, assistant director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving, and Chloe Ezell, student worker, provide her support.
W
ally special. That doesn’t change when they walk across the stage. Working with alumni gives me
hen Alumni Director
Smith, ’14, is married to Phillip
sees what alumni services mean
the chance to serve those same
Rick Goins retired
Smith ’16, whom she calls her
for students, who benefit from
people and reconnect them to the
at the end of June
“college sweetheart.” She said
scholarships, and alumni, who
institution that shaped them and
2021, he knew he was leaving the
she felt at home at UAFS from
take advantage of networking
that they shaped.”
office in capable hands: Alumni
the time she took classes through
and professional development op-
Assistant Director Jasmine Smith
the WATC program. She left Fort
portunities.
stepped seamlessly into his role.
Smith to pursue a master’s degree
“In my role (as director of
University at Fulton, Mo., in 2020.
Smith also serves as director of
at Arkansas Tech. She graduated
alumni involvement), I’m here to
He returned to Fort Smith in 2020
annual giving.
in 2016 with a degree in College
build connections and help foster
and became the Upward Bound
Student Personnel, and then it
Lion Pride in our graduates and
Classic coordinator in August of
was a matter of timing.
our community. I work closely with
that year before stepping into his
the Alumni Advisory Council to
current role in September 2021.
Smith knew she was leaving her position in good hands when she hired Josh Simonds to take on
“As soon as I saw the coordina-
Simonds, class of 2018, earned an MBA from William Woods
her dual role as assistant director
tor for Student Activities job open
create meaningful experiences for
Simonds’ interest in annual
of alumni engagement and assis-
up, I came straight back to Fort
our grads and support our Alumni
giving stems from his vision of
tant director of Annual Giving.
Smith,” she said. “It was my dream
Legacy Scholarship Endowment.”
UAFS’s role in the community.
About the other part of her
are working to make alumni
worked in the Student Life office
job, Smith said, “Annual giving can
River Valley and the region be-
engagement a natural part of the
in that role until I applied for and
strengthen our institution. Gifts
yond,” Simonds said. “Our alumni
lives of every graduate, includ-
accepted the assistant director of
from alumni, friends, and com-
are actively serving their com-
ing those who attended UAFS,
Alumni Affairs and Annual Giving
munity supporters ensure that our
munities and changing the world
Westark, or Fort Smith Junior Col-
in 2019.”
students are leaving with not only
around them. Consistent, robust
a degree but a resume filled with
annual giving allows meaningful
lege. Both are UAFS graduates. 28 THE BELL TOWER SPRING 2022
Smith said, as an alumna, she
RACHEL RODEMANN PUTMAN
“UAFS is an integral part of the
job out of graduate school, and I
Together Smith and Simonds
