Presenter Bio - Angelia Smith

Angelia Smith currently serves as the Director of Academic Support Services for UCF Connect and currently holds the position of inaugural Director of the Transfer Center within the division of Student Success and Well Being at the University of Central Florida (UCF).

With over 28 years of professional experience dedicated to enhancing transfer student success across various institutional landscapes, including a small private institution, a community college, and a large public university, Angelia brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role.

Since joining UCF in 2003, Angelia has been committed to advancing transfer student success on a broad scale. Leveraging the strength of the DirectConnect to UCF® partnership, UCF has conferred over 61,000 degrees to transfer students since 2006. The Transfer Center at UCF is involved in bolstering the major and transfer readiness of prospective students, facilitating seamless transitions, nurturing retention, fostering engagement, and ensuring the timely graduation of admitted transfer students.

Angelia's dedication to her field extends beyond her role at UCF. She has been actively involved with esteemed professional organizations such as NASPA-Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA), and the American Council on Education Women’s Network (ACE). Additionally, Angelia is a founding member of the Florida Transfer Success Network, a collaborative endeavor comprising leaders from FIU, UCF, and USF. Established in 2017, the network aims to address performance gaps and expedite time-to-degree for transfer students. Notably, the network conceptualized the Florida Summit on Accelerating Transfer Success, a one-day gathering focused on crafting a comprehensive advocacy agenda for transfer students.

As a first-generation and transfer student herself, Angelia holds an A.A. degree from Eastern Florida State College, a B.S. from UCF, and a M.S. in Higher Education Leadership. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.