Scott Smith
Once an undergraduate and graduate student at USC and now a staff member, Scott Smith, associate director for Student Publications, finds his unique position very rewarding.
“It is interesting to see the university from different perspectives,” says Smith. “I can help people and relate to them from my different experiences.”
As associate director, Smith says he does “a little bit of everything,” including training and advising the staffs of El Rodeo and the Daily Trojan, and managing technology issues and the department’s Web sites. In addition, he redesigned the Daily Trojan Online Web site as well as created the El Rodeo Web site.
“What I like best is that there is always something new and different that we are doing,” says Smith. “And we have a great staff, which is key to making everything work. We have a good supportive community.”
As an undergraduate, Smith served as editor-in-chief of the Daily Trojan while earning his bachelor’s degree in cinema-television. He went on to earn his Master of Education, Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs (PASA).
Mona Cravens, director of Student Publications, appreciates Smith’s dedication to his job. “Scott Smith is an invaluable source of technical support, aesthetic judgment, interpersonal wisdom and general good will,” says Cravens.
Smith’s favorite aspect of USC is the “diversity of people.” He recently completed a photographic expose inspired by a project he started in the PASA program titled “A Home for All: A Photographic Exploration of Campus Design and Diversity.” He has given the presentation at different venues including the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) national conference in Tampa, Florida in 2005, the Student Affairs “Learning Has No Boundaries” conference in 2006 and the Student Affairs Of the Month meeting in 2008.
In addition, Smith serves on the university accessibility task force and is advisor to TroyShots, a student photography association that formed in spring of 2006.