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Staff Excellence

Kierra Smith headshot
Kierra Smith has been named the November Student Affairs Employee of the Month in recognition of her dedication, professionalism and commitment to supporting students and colleagues across the UAB campus.

Kierra, who serves as the assignments coordinator in Student Housing & Residence Life, was recognized for her consistent excellence, collaborative spirit and willingness to go above and beyond her assigned responsibilities. Colleagues noted her positive attitude, reliability and strong focus on student success as key factors in her selection for the honor.

The Student Affairs Employee of the Month program highlights staff members who exemplify the division’s values of service, integrity and excellence while making meaningful contributions to the campus community. Nominees are submitted by peers and supervisors, and honorees are selected based on their impact, work ethic and dedication to UAB students.

 

What nominators said about Kierra:

Kierra always goes above and beyond for our entire department. She contributes in many ways, from ensuring that our package room has an accurate roster of current students to helping facilitate room swaps with our building coordinator. She is a reliable and steady source of information and a true partner in collaboration across our entire department.

Kierra works hand in hand with Disability Support Services to ensure that students' housing needs are met with care and attention. She takes the time to understand individual circumstances and advocates for the necessary accommodations, helping students feel supported beyond the classroom. Through her efforts, she ensures that students not only have their academic needs addressed but also enjoy a positive and inclusive residential experience on campus.

This past summer, Kierra also partnered with our facilities department to develop a barcode inventory system. This system provides the facilities team with a live spreadsheet of current product totals, ensuring that we maintain a steady supply of essential items used on a regular basis.

Kierra was recognized during November as part of the division’s ongoing commitment to celebrating staff who serve as the backbone of Student Affairs and the university. For more information about the Student Affairs Employee of the Month program, visit uab.edu/studentaffairs.


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