Missouri State University President Clif Smart was selected as President of the Year by ACUI, a nonprofit educational organization that brings together college union and student activities professionals from hundreds of schools in seven countries.
The award recognizes presidents who exhibit an “understanding of the college union’s role in advancing campus community, while showcasing the individual’s support and engagement beyond their position as an administrator.”
“For students to be successful in academics and in life, they have to know how to form community and then become engaged in that community,” Smart said in his acceptance video, which played during the annual conference last week. “On our campus, the student Union plays a critical role in helping that happen.”
Terry Weber, director of the Plaster Student Union, nominated Smart. His nomination highlighted Smart’s plans to expand the multicultural center.
“We are in the process of expanding the Multicultural Center because more and better space is critical to helping create better community for our students of color,” Smart said. “We know that because we listened to our students, then involved them in the decision-making and design processes.”