Alicia Smyth, 2017 President’s Award Recipient

Most of the awards presented by SoACE are received through a nomination process, vetted by committee, and then approved on by the board.  One annual award, however, is given at the sole discretion the sitting President, based upon his/her desire to recognize a member who has distinguished themselves by their service to the Association.  The President’s Award has been presented since SoACE’s founding in 2007.

During the President’s Reception at last year’s conference, Ray Rogers, the 2017-18 President, awarded Alicia Smyth with the 2017 President’s Award.  While on stage, presenting the award, Ray shared the following about Alicia:

There are many behind the scenes roles in operating a volunteer association the size and scope of SoACE.  And, so often, the people performing these roles rarely receive the public acknowledgment they deserve.  For this reason, SoACE presents a unique award each year to recognize the hard work and dedication of a deserving member.  I’d like to present this year’s President’s Award to Alicia Smyth, our Director of Communication and Marketing.

Alicia has been especially helpful in developing and advancing the association’s marketing platforms and initiatives while integrating all of our communications into well organized, timely and user-friendly content.  Alicia is responsible for the infrastructure that, when working well goes unnoticed, touches every aspect our association–whether you are a new member, seasoned professional, or hold a key leadership role.  She has not only managed this process, but made significant improvements and brought about several new marketing methods and launched robust communication platforms.  SoACE has experienced many advances over our 10-year history, but none are as visible, or complicated, as managing our communication and marketing efforts.  It is because of volunteers like Alicia that SoACE has been able to grow our services and expand our reach over the past few years.  I’m so excited to be able to present the 2017 President’s Award to Alicia.

Alicia Smyth is the Executive Director of Career Services at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. During her nearly 19 years at Embry-Riddle, Alicia has worked primarily in Career Services at the Daytona Beach campus and has also served in leadership roles with Worldwide Career Services, Prescott Career Services and University Development Services. Alicia earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Florida and a Master of Arts in Student Personnel Administration in Higher Education from the University of Central Florida. She currently serves as Director of Communications & Marketing on the SoACE Board and as Vice President of Communications for the Volusia/Flagler SHRM Board. Alicia is a former president of FloridaACE and served on the board from 2010-2018. She and her husband live in Florida with their two sons. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @asmyth_erau or connect with her on LinkedIn.