Clemson dean of students honored by national association

Published: August 2, 2012

Joy Smith receives her award from NASPA board chairman Levester Johnson (left) and NASPA president Kevin Kruger (right) image by:

By Christina Cleveland 

CLEMSON – The National Association of Student Administrators (NASPA) honored Clemson University Dean of Students Joy Smith with the first NASPA Region III Director Distinguished Achievement Award for her contributions to the student affairs profession. The new award recognizes a NASPA member for their work and service in the organization and on their campus. 

Smith recently served as the regional vice president for NASPA Region III. She is Clemson’s associate vice president for student affairs and oversees the Gantt Center for Student Life, co-op and career services, student health and Counseling and Psychological Services, student and family care, alcohol safety and Clemson’s crisis management team.

Smith received her Bachelor of Science degree in business from Clemson in 1975. She received her Master of Education degree in counseling and guidance from Clemson in 1977 and her doctorate in higher education administration from the University of South Carolina in 1991.

“As the dean of students, Joy has created an ethic of care that enables students to deal with big and small personal challenges,” Clemson Vice President of Student of Affairs Gail DiSabatino said. “She advocates for individual students as well as groups and the student body as a whole to faculty and administration.”  

Jeanine Ward-Roof, dean of students at Florida State University, previously worked with Smith at Clemson for 16 years. 

“It was a great pleasure to grow up in the profession under Joy's supervision. She was and still is a great mentor, teacher and friend,” she said. Ward-Roof wrote the nomination for Smith’s contributions to Clemson and NASPA. 

DiSabatino added, “Joy's name says it all. She is a joy to work with and a joy to watch work. To her colleagues, Joy brings exciting ideas, keen insights and a firm belief that no problem is too big to be resolved. To our students, she adds a level of care, concern and commitment that is genuine and heartfelt. It’s no wonder that Joy’s advice and counsel are frequently sought by students, faculty and staff alike. With equal parts positivity and determination, Joy models the way for all of us.”

NASPA is the leading association for the advancement, health and sustainability of the student affairs profession.  Founded in 1919, NASPA comprises more than 13,000 members in all 50 states, 29 countries and eight U.S. territories.

END