July 22, 2024
Professor Nikki Smith sees foundation donations as part of her work in transforming students’ lives.
Why do donors support the GRCC Foundation?
For some people, it’s part of a family tradition.
Others are motivated by their gratitude for their GRJC or GRCC education.
Many faculty and staff see first-hand the need for scholarships in their encounters with students.
Dr. Nikki Smith gives for all three of those reasons.
She graduated from GRJC in 1989 and has been a full-time professor in the Criminal Justice Department for 18 years.
“My parents instilled in me early in life the core values of living and giving beyond self,” said Smith, whose father was also a GRJC alumnus.
In fact, her parents encouraged her to enroll at GRJC after she graduated from Central High School. She then enrolled at Grand Valley State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s in social work. This past May, she received her doctorate in education, organizational leadership and development from Cornerstone University.
“I enjoyed every moment of my time at GRJC,” she said. “I was a member of the women’s nationally ranked tennis team for two years, the debate team and a member of the Black Student Union.”
In addition to regular contributions to the foundation, Smith has a scholarship designated for students majoring in Criminal Justice. “I hope to alleviate some of the financial burdens that students often face, allowing them to focus on the overall care of their minds, bodies and souls as they prepare to move into a career of service,” she said. “My three- to five-year goal is endowment.”
Smith, who received a GRCC Excellence in Education Award in 2015, believes the benefits of her donations to the foundation go beyond the scholarship recipients.
“I often think about the mission, vision, values and strategic plan of GRCC,” she said. “These core tenants of our college provide scholars who teach and the staff who support our students the opportunity, through education, to help transform students’ lives. Contributing financially to student scholarships allows others to become conduits of this powerful transformation.
“Because I believe in what we do at GRCC – and those it impacts – my decision to contribute needed no prompts. It is my great pleasure to give.”
This story was republished from GRCC’s 2022-23 Foundation Annual Report.