URBANA — Sam Smith, an admired fixture at Uni for the past seven years, has recently embarked upon a new career at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. His duties as engagement director will showcase many of the same community outreach skills that he employed as a counselor and diversity advocate at Uni.

One of Smith's goals is to show the relevance and benefits of the performing arts to all of the University's departments and surrounding communities. He will initially focus on increasing Krannert's involvement with area K-12 students.

"[Krannert] has been developing itself as a kind of crossroad for all kinds of people," Smith said. "My work is to continue that work, looking at several different particular audiences."

Finding a replacement

The timing of Smith’s departure presented a staffing challenge for Uni administrators. Although Smith has agreed to assist with some of the outreach aspects of his former position, it was crucial to address the counseling duties as soon as possible.

Due to the sudden nature of the vacancy and its pressing needs, the University streamlined the typically slow process of finding a replacement.

This week, Director Steve Epperson hired Rachel Green to fulfill the counseling responsibilities until a full search can be conducted in the spring. She will begin work on Monday.

Steady progress

Smith began his tenure at Uni in August 2001 and left for Krannert this summer. His years at the school were marked by ongoing progress toward a more balanced representation of the population that Uni is intended to serve.

His accomplishments included helping to create and maintain programs such as SSAT tutoring, multicultural parent and student advisory groups, and the annual Uni Cultural Fair.

He also ran this year's summer outreach camp, a program originally created in 2004 by former Director Kassie Patton and run by English teacher Del Suslick through 2007.

Looking back, Smith cited Uni’s progress not only in the recruitment of underrepresented groups, but also in the school’s greater variety of multicultural courses that appeal to a wider range of students.

Smith has agreed to maintain close ties with many of the programs that he initiated, but he acknowledged that some day they will have to stand on their own.

“Sometimes in order to make more progress, it’s important to walk away from something,” he said.

Leaving a legacy

Though stationed only three blocks away, Smith will be missed by many. Sophomore Claire Billingsley described the Oberlin graduate as having a “really great way of showing people how they as individuals can make a difference.”

Others noted his ability to connect with students of all persuasions, searching for and finding the traits that make us alike instead of the things that make us different.

“He is so cool because he shared my interest in Chinese culture, and he was always supportive of anything I did to explore my heritage,” explained sophomore Nancy Tang, who is currently on sabbatical. “And he was learning Chinese!”

Admiring colleagues

Such appreciations are not limited to the student body. Counselor Sarah Dewhurst, a colleague of Smith's in the Student Services Office, valued the daily doses of enthusiasm and ideas that he provided.

“He always thought outside the box and had big ideas of bringing the Champaign-Urbana community to Uni and vice versa,” she stated. “He always encouraged us to think how we can not only serve the Uni community, but also serve the potential Uni community.”

“He could not walk down the hall without being pulled into a conversation or having a friendly exchange with a wide range of students," offered Janet Morford, head of the social studies department. “His presence in any gathering enriched and energized the discussion.”

Director of College Counseling Lisa Micele is not surprised that the next chapter in Smith's career is focused at Krannert.

“Even during his time at Uni, I saw him always exploring areas in the arts, music, and dance — wanting to see us connect more with UIUC departments and other artists on campus,” Micele stated. “The SSO will greatly miss our Sam-I-Am. He is a compassionate counselor, a talented facilitator, and master at networking Uni with the local community.”

During a recent return visit to Uni, he was asked what he will miss most about the school. Smith gestured toward the increasing din outside his old office.

“Those wacky students out in the hall," he said. "To see so many young people, with so many intellectual gifts and talents, and to think about those gifts and talents in service of humankind is just wonderful, and quite, quite, quite lovely.”