Smith’s job at Chapman for 10 years has been much more than the typical nine-to-five. Dealing with issues such as sexual abuse, rape and anger management, Smith’s position as a health educator is anything but typical.

“Working in student life is always different, challenging,” Smith said. “You never really know what the day holds. I have an open door policy, so I am never quite sure who will pop up.”

As part of Proactive Education Encouraging Responsibility (PEER), Smith is responsible for listening to the students, giving presentations and organizing projects to promote what she calls “wholeness”. By teaching students how to take care of their bodies and deal with their issues, she helps them to make the most of their college experience.

“You can’t separate the mind from the body,” she said. “It’s all a big package.”

Her most popular program is C.A.R.E.S., which stands for Creating a Rape Free Environment for Students. Its major promotion is the Clothesline Project, where a dramatic, long line of T-shirts with sexual assault messages—all created by her students—is strung in the heart of campus to make students more aware of rape-related issues.

To students, Smith becomes not just an advisor, but a grandmother and friend.

“She’s one of those people that does not come to work and sit in an office,” said sophomore Briana Carlson. “She’s actually involved in students’ lives. It shows that she genuinely cares about us.”