Dr. Jivanna C. Smith, mother of Roman Green and the eldest daughter of Darryl and Priscilla Smith from Natchez, Mississippi, has built an exemplary academic and professional career. A Natchez High School honor graduate in 2010, she went on to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2014. Dr. Smith began her professional journey at Alcorn State University in 2015 as a Graduate Assistant for Athletic Compliance and Academic Affairs. Within 10 months, she was promoted to Academic Advisor/Tutor Coordinator.
In 2017, she became a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and was honored as an HBCU Scholarship Recipient for the National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals Regional Conference. She also presented at the NCAA AASP Conference in the “Big Ideas…Short Time” session on the “Pre-Enrollment Program.”
Dr. Smith earned her first Master’s of Science in Secondary Education with an Emphasis in School Counseling in 2018 and was promoted to Coordinator of Student-Athlete Services that same year. The following year, in 2019, she completed a second Master’s degree in Secondary Education with an Emphasis in NCAA Compliance and APR Report.
Her career continued to progress as she was promoted to Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Services in 2021, and by 2023, she became the Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Services. Throughout her career, Dr. Smith has worked with various athletic programs, ensuring her student-athletes graduate on time by constructing personalized academic plans that align with their goals and meet NCAA standards.
In 2024, Dr. Smith completed her Doctor of Educational Leadership from Liberty University. She is dedicated to maintaining a positive mindset, starting each day with prayer, music, and good vibes, and is guided by the philosophy, “Stay the course. The best is always yet to come,” anchored by the verse Isaiah 54:17.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WITH ALCORN? I started at Alcorn as a graduate assistant in 2015. I’ve been promoted four times since then.
WHAT DOES YOUR JOB ENTAIL? I help with athletic eligibility by serving as the liaison between university departments and athletics.
WHEN YOU’RE AT WORK, HOW DO YOU MOTIVATE YOURSELF? I begin the day with a positive mindset, prayer, good music, good vibes, and a candle to ensure that I’m in a good head space mentally which helps to motivate me.
IN TERMS OF SUCCESSES, WHICH ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF? Becoming Dr. Smith in August 2024.
WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE THAT YOU CAN GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO JUST STARTED THEIR CAREER AT ALCORN? You should stay the course and remember that the best is yet to come.
