Central Methodist University’s College of Graduate and Extended Studies (CGES) has hired William Smith as its first coordinator for student support. His job will be to help students get the necessary services for them to be financially and academically successful.
Smith is a Columbia native, a graduate of Rock Bridge High School, and a 2017 graduate of the University of Missouri with a major in English, with an emphasis in creative writing, and minors in film and sociology. He has a strong background in customer service which will assist his role as support coordinator.
“The Student Support Coordinator position is new to the College of Graduate and Extended Studies,” says Stephanie Brink, assistant dean of online programs for CMU’s CGES Division. “As a recent college graduate, Will Smith understands the needs of the non-traditional student, and has been instrumental in the development of this new position.”
Additional parts of his job will include identifying students at risk, coordinating with faculty and advisers to ensure student success, and helping students work with financial aid counselors to ensure financial readiness.
“I have a wealth of experience in customer service, as well as the ins and out of financial aid,” Smith said. “I'm excited to see what I can accomplish at CMU while working alongside the talented members of the CGES crew.”
Smith has honed his customer service skills through positions as a courtesy clerk at Hy-Vee, a customer service representative at the University of Missouri Bookstore, and as manager of Slackers CDs and Games, all in Columbia.
In addition, he has volunteered many hours at radio station KOPN in Columbia, where he serves as host and programmer of “The Broken Clock” radio show. His position includes researching music industry trends and news coverage, and three-hour blocks of music for broadcasting.
Central Methodist University’s College of Graduate and Extended Studies (CGES) has hired William Smith as its first coordinator for student support. His job will be to help students get the necessary services for them to be financially and academically successful.