This series of features highlights Kean University students who have undertaken professional roles, both outside and within the university. The criterion for students chosen for this series is completed work experience in the field, with professional research, and academic achievement either in professional or graduate school.

The road after Kean is paved to lead to different destinations - some fork, some wind - though, one thing is certain: ambassadors in alumni affairs will guide those on the post-Kean journey back home. An integral part of a higher education institution's success relies on the relationship it builds and maintains with its alumni community. When Kean alumni have visited the campus this year, one face that may have greeted them is that of Rebecca Smith, graduate assistant in the Office of Alumni Relations.

Smith is currently closing off her first year as a graduate assistant with Kean. The position was offered to the doctoral student as assistance with her entry into the Psy.D. in Combined and Integrated School and Clinical Psychology program in the Nathan Weiss Graduate College.

"I choose [to apply to] Kean University because of the doctoral program. It focuses on both clinical work and research. There are not many programs like it in the country; and definitely not in New Jersey," states Smith. Strategically, Smith also researched the faculty within the doctoral program to measure how aligned their research work would be with her own interests.

Smith enters Kean with quite the academic repertoire. After completing her undergraduate degree at The College of New Jersey, Smith went on to earn a master's degree in clinical psychology at Drexel University and a law degree with Villanova University.

Work with events under the umbrella of university-wide initiatives, like Open House and Homecoming, is just some of what Smith's position has entailed. Currently, Smith is assisting her office host Diamonds Are Forever 2012 - the 3rd

"Any opportunity I have to talk about my program [with Kean alumni] is a great one," beams Smith. "My program is new and is an example of how much the university has changed... Some visit and have an image of what the campus looks like; and they are pleased to visit a university that has grown."

Smith says she anticipates her work in alumni relations will lead into working toward the development of an alumni mentor program for students in the masters of business administration.