Kaitlin Smith
B.A., Media and Communication Studies
Cum Laude
Hometown: Perryville, Maryland
Plans: M.A., Morgan State University
Finding my place in college is one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me… My involvement in student life, admissions and orientation, and student affairs connected me to people who believed in my abilities, gave me the support and strength to pursue many different avenues…and gave me the opportunity to help others find their passions and place at UMBC.
As a freshman, Kaitlin Smith was performing well in her classes and making friends, but she had a nagging feeling that she wasn’t making the most of her college experience. That changed when a staff member encouraged her to get involved in the Orientation Peer Advisor program, which opened the door to her involvement and leadership in campus life.
Smith completed an internship focused on campus safety with the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs, joined the service-focused Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, became a coach for STRiVE (an intensive student leadership development program), served as a Woolie (a UMBC Welcome Week leader), and became a trainer with the Green Dot bystander intervention program.
In her senior year she has served as undergraduate fellow in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation, and as president of UMBC’s highly active Student Events Board (seb). On the academic side, she also served as president of the Media and Communications Studies Council of Majors.
Smith’s experiences have inspired her to pursue a master’s degree in higher education and student affairs administration at Morgan State University, to ensure future students have access to the same kinds of college experiences that brought so much meaning to her time at UMBC.
Tags: CAHSS, MCS, StudentAffairs
