Meet Our Staff: Lucy Smith

Lucy Smith

Pronouns:
She/her

Degrees earned and institutions:
BFA and MS with an experiential education emphasis from the University of Utah

Years at SLCC:
9

Current title:
Director of Engaged Learning

Department:
Office of Learning Advancement

Previous jobs at SLCC:
Service-Learning Coordinator

What is a typical day or week like for you?
I help build supportive college infrastructures so faculty can implement high-impact practices (community-engaged learning, study abroad and domestic study) in the curriculum. A significant portion of my time is spent organizing and conducting workshops, training, faculty professional development and conference planning. I provide support to community-engaged learning and study abroad faculty by facilitating formal course designation processes and funding.

I am also an adjunct faculty member in the Exercise Science program, so I teach regularly.

What are the most challenging aspects of your job?
One of the most challenging parts of my job has been building methods to assess our Civic Literacy Learning Outcome through community-engaged learning courses. When I started leading this in 2014, there were no resources for this learning outcome. Now we have a rubric, reflection prompts, and solid methods for assessment through ePortfolio.

What rewards come with your job?
I have the privilege of traveling with students occasionally through study abroad and domestic study. This is a challenging activity and one of the most rewarding and impactful things I have done in my career. I also love teaching regular academic classes and engaging with and learning process with our students. Facilitating critical reflection is one of my favorite things.

Who or what inspires you at work or in life and why?
I am inspired by mindfulness practices and meditation. I am also inspired by Lindsey Vonn, former World Cup alpine ski racer on the U.S. Ski Team. Lindsey is one of the best female skiers in the world.

Tell us something about yourself from outside of your SLCC life.
I grew up in Utah and spent a significant amount of time outdoors. I have developed a deep attachment to the mountains and spend as much time there as possible. I am an avid expert skier and love both resort and backcountry skiing. I have skied at every resort in Utah. I also love to spend time river rafting, camping and hiking. I bicycle commute to SLCC regularly and enjoy an environmentally friendly lifestyle.

Family:
I have a small but tight-knit family who lives in Utah. I am close with my parents and hang out with them regularly. I have one older brother who is married and has fur babies (dogs). My partner has a 13-year-old son going into high school this fall.

Hobbies and interests:
I practice what I preach and volunteer regularly. I have been a volunteer with Splore, an organization that facilitates outdoor recreation for people with disabilities for over 20 years old. I have spent time on the river with them, and I am a volunteer raft guide. They recently merged with the National Ability Center, and now I also serve as a volunteer ski assistant. I also volunteer with Utah Refugee Goats and take care of goats on the farm.

Awards and accomplishments:
You can see more about my accomplishments and artifact of my work on my ePortfolio.

How to Be Featured

Are you an SLCC staff member? The Institutional Marketing & Communications Office supports the mission of the College by promoting the accomplishments and stories of our students, faculty and staff. All staff are welcome to participate in the Meet Our Staff feature.

If you are interested in participating, please email the College’s Strategic Communications and Public Relations team (prteam@slcc.edu).

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