Haley Smith, senior visual communication design major, has been given many opportunities at PNW that have helped shape her career. Smith is the president of Honors College and the director of the CHESS art gallery. She has also studied abroad in Paris and Japan. She has taken many chances during her time on campus, but she was different in high school. “When I was in high school, I was not as outgoing as I am now,” Smith said. “I was a good student, but there was nothing that set me apart from the rest.”

During her freshman year, she repeated the same routine as she did in high school. Smith’s career changed at the start of her sophomore year, when she decided to take a chance. She stepped outside her comfort zone and applied for a job as a teaching assistant, which Smith said has paid off. “This was really a turning point for me in my career here,” Smith said. “It really helped me improve myself as a person and made me want to take more risks to put myself out there.” Many of these risks forced her to do things that she wouldn’t be comfortable doing otherwise, such as organizing events for the CHESS art gallery.

While organizing her first event, she found her footing as a strong leader. “It felt like the weight of the world was on my shoulders,” Smith said. “However, the event turned out great, and it really showed me that this was what I wanted to do.” During her time on campus, many people have helped guide her path. One such person is dean of the Honors College, John Rowan. As a role model of hers, they have a bond as student and mentor. “In various ways, Haley has elevated the student profile here on campus,” Rowan said. “She will be leaving behind an admirable legacy for other students to follow.” He went on to say that he finds her positive outlook on life and her motivation to be her greatest skills.

According to Smith, that motivation comes from her mother. “My mom has been an inspiration to me ever since I was little,” Smith said. “She is someone great to look up to because she is a strong, driven person herself. She is passionate about her professional career, and I feel that’s where I get my drive to work from.” Smith’s prime motivation now is her future career. She says while she isn’t too certain on where her life will take her, she knows she will always be doing what she loves. “Even if you think that you’re not going to achieve something, nine times out of 10 you will succeed. Don’t settle for being an average student,” Smith said.