UAF

Victoria Smith named regional College Board fellow

Victoria Smith, director of Student Support Services, has been named a regional fellow of the College Board. 

“This fellowship is tremendous honor, and not something I would have applied for without some prompting from Maureen Hoyler, President of the Council for Opportunity in Education (our national advocates in Washington DC),” said Smith.

The College Board is a nonprofit organization that serves the education community through research and advocacy on behalf of students, educators, and schools. This organization helps more than 7 million students prepare for a successful transition to college through programs and services in college readiness and college success -- including the SAT and Advanced Placement Program.

The College Board is piloting a new fellowship program to make it easier for members to evolve in their careers and take control of their development. Smith will use her fellowship, which includes travel, lodging and registration costs to attend the Native American Student Advocacy Institute in Phoenix Arizona in June.

“When I saw the conference options I was immediately drawn to the Native American Student Advocacy Institute because this is an area I know I need to grow,” said Smith. “My goal is to share what I learn with colleagues in advising so that we can better support our Alaska Native and American Indian students.”

Smith grew up in Washington. A first-generation college student, she moved to Alaska to attend UAF as part of the Upward Bound Math/Science program. She participated in three federally-funded TRiO programs starting in middle school and continuing through her undergraduate studies. TRiO includes eight U.S federal programs designed to increase access to higher education for economically disadvantaged students. 

“As a first-generation and limited-income student, I came to Alaska from Washington through the UAF Upward Bound Math/Science program,” said Smith. “I participated in a total of three federally funded TRiO programs starting in middle school and continuing through my undergraduate degree in history from UAF.” 

After graduating with a degree in history, Smith chose to dedicate her career to helping students. 

“Throughout the past 8 years I have thoroughly enjoyed assisting first-generation, limited-income, and students who experience disabilities work towards their educational goals,” said Smith. “Helping to close equity gaps in higher education is something I’m very passionate about. I had less than a 10 percent chance of graduating with my bachelors degree by the age of 24. Helping students like myself to overcome these kinds of statistics motivates me to learn and grow as a higher ed professional so that I can continue to pay it forward.”

Smith joined UAF’s TRiO Student Support Services team as a comprehensive advisor in 2012. In 2018, she earned her  master’s degree in Arctic and Northern Studies with a focus on cultural history and higher education in the circumpolar north from UAF.