NC State College of Education alum Chelsea Smith ’23PHD has been selected to receive the Shirley Aceto Award, one of the College of William & Mary’s highest honors that recognizes exceptional commitment to the university’s values, outstanding individual service and leadership. 

Smith, who earned a Ph.D. in the Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development higher education concentration in the College of Education, is currently a clinical assistant professor of higher education at William & Mary’s School of Education.

“I was extremely humbled to receive this award so early in my career. I want to acknowledge that being an early-career faculty member is difficult, so this recognition stopped me in my tracks to validate the work I care so deeply about,” Smith said. “When I received the email from the provost my mind did not immediately go to award notification, but once I realized the magnitude, I felt gratitude, humility and pride.”

Smith’s selection for the award accounted for her work and service on campus, including her roles as program coordinator for the higher education administration program and faculty fellow with the Office of First-Generation Faculty Engagement, and her participation in multiple faculty governance bodies. Additionally, it recognized her work outside the university, including her role as the co-chair of the Association for the Study of Higher Education’s Council for Ethnic Participation Mentor–Protégé Program and her term as research and scholarship co-chair for the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) Pan African Network.

“I know for sure I would not be where I am without the service of others, and it is only right that I pay it forward,” Smith said. “It’s often hard to know the impact of my scholarship, but I can see the impact of my service because it’s much more visible. When I see a policy change, when a student tells me they got an internship they wanted… I can see it, but most importantly I can feel it.”

Smith said she learned to serve and lead by example during her time in the NC State College of Education. One person who particularly influenced Smith was Department Head and Alumni Distinguished Graduate Professor of Higher Education Joy Gaston Gayles, whom Smith credits with her decision to enroll in the College of Education. 

During her time in the program, Smith said she enjoyed working closely with faculty who modeled faculty socialization and academia while displaying a commitment to mentorship and teaching. She also had opportunities to work as a teaching assistant for multiple courses and cultivated her leadership skills while working in the Black Graduate Student Association. 

“The faculty, staff and administrators at NC State set the best example for me. They modeled the type of educator and scholar I hoped to be,” she said. “I am extremely grateful to NC State and Williams & Mary for developing me into the educator I am today and who I hope to continue growing to be. And, finally, to Dr. Joy Gaston Gayles; thank you for being the best role model and blueprint for me.”