Kimberly Smith, 30 years

Kimberly serves as the Senior Program Coordinator at the Emory Primate Center.

Tell us about your career at Emory.

I've worked in Human Resources, School of Medicine Dean's Office, Department of Medicine, Taskforce for Child Survival and Development (now the Taskforce for Global Health), Center for the Neurosciences Initiative, Emory Sleep Center, School of Nursing, and Emory Primate Center.

What are some of your favorite Emory memories?

Some of my favorite memories at Emory include graduating from the College in December 2009, with Arnold Schwarzenegger as the commencement speaker—a memorable and inspiring experience for the class of 2010. I also deeply valued my work on the President's Commission on the Status of Women, where I was involved in various roles and helped address significant issues, such as the lack of diversity on the university board and unfair drug testing practices.

Working at Emory during the 1996 Olympic Games was another highlight, including witnessing the Olympic torch pass by and experiencing the Centennial Park bombing – shout out to Dr. Sheryl Heron who was a brand-new ER Resident at the time of the bombing and is now an extraordinary leader at the School of Medicine! I also had the chance to meet notable figures like Jane Fonda, Rosalyn Carter, and Dr. Angela Davis.

In my second role at Emory, supporting Mike Aycock and Dr. Claudia Adkison in the School of Medicine Dean's Office, I learned a great deal and received invaluable support. I found Mike Aycock to be a supportive mentor who believed in my abilities. Dr. Adkison was an exceptional leader who encouraged me to pursue my degree and supported me through personal challenges. Her faith in me made a significant impact, and leaving the Dean's Office was a particularly difficult decision.

What are some of the most significant changes you've witnessed?

Information technology has had the most significant effect during my time at Emory. Computers, email, and electronic records have impacted the workplace unlike anything else.

What do you miss from “back in the day”?

I miss the President’s Commissions as they provided an opportunity to address the unique concerns of the individuals that each of the Commissions represented. I also miss the times when health insurance was less expensive and leave earnings for long-time employees were not capped.

What do you hope for the future of Emory?

I hope that Emory continues its path of reconciliation and recognition regarding Native and African Americans, whose work, lives, and land contributed to making Emory the educational powerhouse it is today. Emory’s origin story owes a great deal to the exploited and underrepresented.

Additionally, I hope that Emory University employees and their families to have better and equal access to the university’s educational benefits, as only a small percentage of staff use the courtesy scholarship. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to earn a BA from Emory University, as it wouldn't have been financially possible for me without the courtesy scholarship.

Anything else you would like to share?

I am thankful for my years at Emory University as an employee, a student, and an alum. I’ve had encouraging bosses; great mentors and my children practically grew up on campus. For this and so many other things, I am truly grateful to Emory University!