As Miriam Smith completes her first month as Austin Community College District’s (ACC) new Vice Chancellor of Advancement & Executive Director of the ACC Foundation, we’re getting to know the person behind the title. With a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to expanding access to education, she is dedicated to making a lasting impact at ACC.

Miriam shared more about her journey, her vision for the College, and what drives her professionally and personally.

Background 

What drew you to Austin Community College District?
ACC is known for its innovation in programs with an emphasis on preparing students for further education or employment opportunities in the local community. That approach aligns with my view of what quality education is all about. I was also drawn to ACC’s mission — “to love our students to success.” As a fundraiser, keeping students and the community at the forefront of our work is critical to ACC’s success.

What’s one piece of advice that has guided you in your career?
Advice that has guided me throughout my career has been to lead with integrity and honesty in what I say and do, and to treat everyone with the respect and dignity they deserve.

What’s one thing you’d like the ACC community to know about you as a leader?
I consider myself a “servant leader,” which means I lead from a place of selflessness, supporting and celebrating the success of others as we do our work and accomplish our goals.

College Advancement

What excites you most about joining ACC at this moment?
As Dr. Lowery-Hart states in the State of the College Report, ACC is launching change initiatives to ensure all students are prepared for success, either for further education or employment opportunities in the community. That is very exciting to me! Further, ACC’s values, especially Courage and Compassion, are fundamental to how I aspire to lead.

What are your top priorities in your first year in this role?
My initial priority is to gather information from key stakeholders (e.g., the Foundation team, students, alumni, administration, faculty, community leaders, etc.) to understand the current state of performance and to collect their perspectives on ACC’s current and future needs. This information will provide me with the context and impetus to develop impactful initiatives to achieve our goals.

How will this help support the College’s goal to make tuition FREE for everyone?
The goal of “Free Tuition” is an exciting and inspirational objective that will require teamwork from all who support and advocate for our students. My role is to partner with these stakeholders to develop and lead initiatives that ensure we meet this key objective.

Community Engagement 

How can the ACC community support the mission of College Advancement?
I was taught by one of my mentors that fundraising is a team sport, and I believe the entire ACC community can advance the purposes of ACC, especially as it relates to supporting our North Star Goal: 70% student completion rate by 2030. This will require excellence in curricula, programs, and services that attract, nurture, challenge, and retain our students.

Do you have a vision for how ACC can grow its culture of philanthropy?
Recognizing and valuing the individuals and organizations that currently support ACC will continue to be important. Further, ACC has a terrific opportunity to leverage its reputation and standing in the community and develop relationships and alliances that support and promote ACC’s vision and North Star.

How can ACC strengthen its relationships with donors and alumni?
I strongly believe that philanthropy is a two-way street. By that, I mean that it will be essential that we engage alumni and donors with initiatives and programs that address their needs and interests as well as meet ACC’s strategic objectives.

Personal 

What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?
I auditioned for the TV program “Star Search” but was eliminated from the competition after the first round. However, I did make the cast of the musical “Annie” when it ended its run on Broadway and brought the show to Atlanta.

What career path might you have pursued if you weren’t working in higher education and fundraising?
My education and training focused on my initial career goal of becoming an opera singer, and I still love the performing arts and singing.

When you’re not working, how do you like to spend your free time?
I am very close to my family, and I always enjoy spending time with them. I am also a “foodie” and like traveling to other countries and learning how food influences their culture and traditions.

For more information about the ACC Foundation, visit austincc.edu/foundation.