Alumni Spotlight: Beth and Jayson Smart

Alumni Spotlight: Beth and Jayson Smart M.Ed. '02; B.A. Psychology '93 & M.P.A. '05 Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska; Denver, Colorado Fun Fact: Their guilty pleasure is watching AMC's The Walking Dead Beth and Jayson Smart could be UAA's community cheerleaders. This husband and wife duo has a long-standing relationship with the university. The two not only met and earned degrees from UAA, they also worked for UAA for many years.

"UAA has been a big part of our lives," Jayson said. Beth adds, "I think just about every member of our family has attended UAA or earned a degree from UAA."

They're not exaggerating. The couple has a combined 11 immediate family members who have taken classes or earned degrees from UAA. Jayson, a double-alum of UAA, said even his 75-year-old mother took classes at UAA just last year. "I guess we're a family of lifelong learners."

Beth and Jayson have put just as much into the university as they've gotten out. During their many years employed, Beth and Jayson were both involved in the early formation of some of UAA's thriving programs, such as ANSEP, the UAA Concert Board, Conference and Catering Services and several signature campus events.

"I was actually the first person who managed the Concert Board when it was created," Jayson said.

Today, Jayson is a program officer at Rasmuson Foundation, a private family foundation based in Anchorage. Jayson is responsible for advancing partnerships between the foundation and Alaska organizations, with a particular focus on arts and culture. "The UAA Concert Board is where my passion for the arts really developed," he said.

Beth is now a counselor at Wasilla High School. Raised by her parents who are long-time Mat-Su educators, it's no surprise she followed in their footsteps. But initially, she chose a different path. A conversation with one of her sisters before college convinced Beth to go in a different direction. Beth received a bachelor's degree in journalism and advertising management from the University of Minnesota in 1984.

After a few years in advertising, Beth renewed her interest in working with students. She started her career in Residence Life at Chico State University, eventually making her way to UAA. "Through my time spent at UAA, I realized I needed to complete my graduate degree to focus my work in counseling," Beth said. Beth received a master's degree in education counseling in 2002. Meanwhile, her husband went from earning a B.A. in psychology to getting a master's in public administration in 2005.

Jayson and Beth met while working together at UAA Campus Life in 1993. They began dating during the following years, and married in 1996. They even lived and began growing their family at the UAA campus while working together at University Housing, Dining and Conference Services.

The two have a wide array of titles and programs they worked for over the years. From Beth's positions as Student Leadership Coordinator, Associate Director of Housing and Associate Director of Campus Life to Jayson's time in the Student Union and University Housing, the two have met and made lifelong connections that they've come across years later.

"I'm currently working with ANSEP to find ways to support students in the Bethel region. We're focusing on developing programs to help students gain access to high school classes they need to become engineers," Jayson said. "It's funny because years ago, Beth was in the early planning stages when ANSEP first came about."

With their history with the university, they offer advice to both current and future students. "The best thing a student can do is get a job on campus. You'll have a supportive environment with your co-workers, a flexible schedule and more opportunities become available to you," Jayson said.

The differing personalities of this match-made-in-college definitely complement each other, Beth said. "I'm introverted and Jayson's the extrovert. He's very calming and diplomatic."

Jayson and Beth are also passionate about disability issues and rights and serving the community. Jayson currently serves as a board member of Out North Contemporary Art House in Anchorage, and trustee of the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and is a recent volunteer "Big" with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska.

The happily married couple lives in Wasilla with their three children, who they say will most likely attend UAA. Beth said, "They're not old enough yet to start deciding, but let's just say it's a huge possibility."

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