Full Circle: Jane Smith ’76 Gives Back to MC Students and Alumni

Despite graduating from MC more than 40 years ago and now residing in North Carolina, Jane Smith ’76 remains deeply connected to MC. In addition to continuously giving back to its students and alumni, Smith serves as an academic coach for college success and Coach2Coach at the Achieving the Promise Academy, where she helps students navigate their academic paths.

Smith’s connections to MC also include her tenure as a business professor since 2012, past president of the MC Alumni Association, and past member of the MC Foundation Board of Directors.

Smith’s dedication to MC is deeply personal, rooted in the transformative impact the College had on her own life. After leaving the University of Maryland for personal reasons, she faced uncertainty about her future. MC became her second chance, offering a supportive environment to rediscover her purpose. This foundation propelled her into a successful 35-year career in technology and sales, working with the Department of Defense and federal contractors.

In 2008, Smith’s journey with MC came full circle when Judith Vaughan-Prather, then executive director of the Commission for Women, encouraged her to join the MC Alumni Association Board of Governors. Smith quickly became one of the board’s most active members, leading initiatives to raise funds and grow alumni engagement. One of her proudest achievements was working as co-chair to enhance the mentoring program, which connects students with mentors to guide them through their academic journeys.

“I want students to know they can get to the finish line,” Smith says. “Most students, coming out of high school, need someone to help them navigate the college experience. Mentors and coaches are there to provide a guiding light.”

Smith later joined the MC Foundation Board, inspired by the Foundation’s strong commitment to supporting students financially. She remains a generous donor and a tireless advocate for giving back, urging fellow alumni to support critical programs and initiatives that empower students to succeed. “In the past 12 years, having worked with so many students, I’ve seen how important it is to give,” Smith emphasizes. “There are so many students out there who need all the support they can get. MC provides so many programs to meet the needs of students, but it can’t be done without financial backing.”