college student, Reginald B. Smith does quite a bit of traveling in North Mississippi to help university students, and it's a job he loves.
Since late January, Smith, 34, has been financial aid adviser for University of Mississippi students at Ole Miss satellite campuses in Southaven, Tupelo and Booneville, in addition to spending one day a week at the main campus in Oxford.
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The Senatobia resident is in Southaven at the DeSoto Center campus from 2 to 8 p.m. each Tuesday and Thursday.
Smith got into his current role by way of the insurance business. After graduating from Ole Miss in 1995, Smith worked in areas that included claims, loss control and risk management for insurance companies.
"I enjoyed my time in insurance, but it seemed like any time I would get too comfortable, I would get downsized," he said, noting today's trend in corporate America.
He worked for a time in another job and noticed the university's advertisement of a vacancy in the financial aid position. He was attracted by the chance to work for his alma mater, and the fact that his work hours on the satellite campuses would be in the afternoons and evenings.
"My schedule is to accommodate the nontraditional students who work full time and go to school in the afternoons and evenings," he said.
Smith was born in Memphis, and his family moved to Senatobia when he was about 3 years old. He graduated from Independence High School in Tate County.
"I deal with students of all ages," he said. "I enjoy the variety of people and personalities."
As for what students need to know about financial aid, Smith said some students are missing out on available aid because they have not applied.Labels: financial aid, free education, high school, scholarship, student loans, study abroad |
