Strengthening a Sisterhood

Meagan A. Smith (MS ‘25) is someone who gives back in every area of her life.

As a Bauer College alumna and Office of Graduate & Professional Programs (GPP) recruiter, she shares helpful information on college resources to incoming students. As a proud Black woman, she is committed to serving her community through love, faith and charity.

Smith started working for GPP in the last semester of her master’s program. In this role, she brought a unique perspective as a student who could speak honestly about the way Bauer supported her, both academically and personally.

Although Smith was an online student, she never felt like she was missing out on the full, college-life experience, she said. Her professors made classes engaging, and the connections she built with her classmates were invaluable.

Additionally, working with GPP, she attended various events on and off campus to connect with prospective students, as well as engage with their current students at different socials and mixers they hosted.

"GPP will always have a special place in my heart,” Smith said. “I am beyond grateful for every one of them.”

The staff she worked with in GPP quickly became like a second family to her. In the time leading up to graduation, she faced personal challenges but received affirmation and support from her team that meant the world to her, she said. When she graduated, they were all there to cheer her on.

Also in the crowd cheering her on were Smith’s sisters, mother and an abundance of family and friends.

"I would not be where I am today without my village,” she said. “Their love and support mean the world to me.”

One of Smith’s biggest role models is her mother, who she said continues to be an inspiration to her with her ability to sacrifice for the ones she loves and perseverance to chase her dreams.

“She is such a hard worker,” Smith said. “I aspire to have that same drive and discipline my mom has.”

Smith looks back fondly on her childhood when her mother would take her family to various Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. events. Her mother became a member of the sorority in 1988 and continues to stay involved through her alumna chapter, Houston Metropolitan Alumnae (HMAC).

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is an organization that was founded by 22 collegiate Black women at Howard University in 1913. Since then, they have grown as a foundation for sisterhood, scholarship and service primarily among Black, college-educated women. Now they have more than 350,000 initiated members and over 1,050 chartered chapters worldwide.

Smith knew from a young age, as soon as she understood what the organization stood for, that she wanted to be a Delta woman like her mother.

“I was just amazed by all these beautiful Black women who exhibited leadership, intelligence and humility, all coming together to serve their community,” she said.

Smith is also a member of the Houston Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter (HMAC) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She works with the collegiate connection committee of her chapter, and in this role, she visits college campuses in the Houston area to connect with and support the collegiate Sorors, including the Zeta Sigma Chapter, located at the University of Houston.

As an alumna of Clark Atlanta University, a historically Black college or university (HBCU), and an initiate of the Sigma Chapter, she tries to give back to the next generations of sorority sisters by keeping an open door and an open heart.

In her role as a recruiter and her involvement in her community, she likes to share her story in hopes that she can inspire others to get through whatever they may be struggling with and let them know she’s there for them.

“I don’t want people to let their troubles define them,” Smith said. “Whoever reads this, I want you to know that there is so much more to you than what you’re going through. Take some time for yourself and, if needed, rest, but don’t stay there too long. Most importantly, keep the faith — there is power in prayer and therapy.”