Harris-Stowe President, Military and Veterans Leader Honored by SGA

The University of Central Missouri's Student Government Association (SGA) President Hiba Lukadi, left, and UCM President Roger Best, right, present the James C. Kirkpatrick Excellence in Governance Award to President of Harris-Stowe State  University, Dr. Latonia Collins Smith.

WARRENSBURG, MO – A University of Central Missouri alumna who is the first woman to serve as president of Harris-Stowe State University and a UCM leader who is making a difference in the lives of active duty military students, veterans, and military dependents were recipients of annual awards presented by the Student Government Association on April 16. The awards ceremony took place at the Read and Relax area on the ground floor of the James C. Kirkpatrick Library. Harris-Stowe’s 21st President, Dr. Latonia Collins Smith,  received the James C. Kirkpatrick Excellence in Governance Award and UCM’s Director of Military and Veteran Services, Courtney Swoboda, was presented the Walter Hicklin Excellence in Service Award.

The Kirkpatrick Award was established in 1985 in honor of James C. Kirkpatrick, a UCM alumnus who served for 20 years as Missouri’s Secretary of State, and spent many years on the university’s governing board. Recognition is given annually to an individual who promotes the public interest, practices good governmental procedures and has shown loyalty to the university. The award recipient was nominated and selected by SGA members, and UCM President Roger Best presented the award to Collins Smith with SGA President Hiba Lukadi. By receiving the Excellence in Governance Award, she joins a growing list of recipients that includes four former Missouri governors, one of them who became a U.S. Attorney General; five U.S. Congressional members; and various other state and local governmental leaders, and individuals who serve in education.

Swoboda became the third person to receive the Walter Hicklin Excellence in Service Award. This is an honor that was established in 2022 to recognize an individual who is directly associated with the university community who supports student success, demonstrates positive leadership, and serves the institution and its mission. It honors Walter “Walt” Hicklin, who was the first recipient of the award and the 28th person to receive the Kirkpatrick Award. Hicklin, who passed away during the 2023-2024 academic year, retired from UCM in 2006 after 31 years. His tenure included positions such as head coach of the Mules football team, teaching mathematics in the former Department of Academic Enrichment, service as Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, and later Interim Vice President for Student Affairs. After retiring he served on the UCM Board of Governors for several years.

The Kirkpatrick Award recognized Collins-Smith’s outstanding service to her professional field and beyond. A renowned education leader with an extensive background in administration and program development, Collins Smith became president of Harris-Stowe State University in March 2022, after serving from June 2021 as interim president. Among her many achievements, she was the co-principal investigator of a $5 million National Science Foundation grant – the largest in the history of  Harris Stowe – to strengthen STEM in the state of Missouri.

She serves a chair of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Statewide Celebration Commission of Missouri and co-chair of the Concordance First Chance Campaign. Dr. Collins Smith also serves as a member of several boards, including the Higher Education Consortium of St. Louis, Greater St. Louis, Inc., Boy Scouts of America Greater St. Louis Area Council, and Ameren Missouri Community Voices Board. She served UCM as a member of both the Alumni Board of Directors and Alumni Foundation Board, and organized the UCM Black Alumni Organization. Her knowledge and expertise is shared on a national level as a member of the American Association of State Colleges and Employers (NACE), as a Silver Life member of Alpha Kappa Sorority, Inc., Gamma Omega Chapter and member of Gateway (IL) Chapter of Links, Inc.

Among many different forms of recognition, Collins Smith has received numerous leadership and service awards. This includes the 2023 St. Louis University School of Education Dean’s Award, 2022 St. Louis American Steller Performer in Education Award, 2022 Urban League Salute to Women in Leadership Award, 2022 NAACP Frankie Muse Freeman/Norman A. Seay Commitment to St. Louis Award, NAACP Excellence in Education Award, and NAACP Ben Hooks Community Leader Award.
 
She received a doctorate in education leadership from Maryville University in St. Louis, a master’s in social work and a master’s of public health from St. Louis University. She also earned a Bachelor of Social Work at UCM.

Swoboda was recognized by Dalton White, vice president of the SGA. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, she began working at UCM in 2018 in the Military and Veterans Success Center as Coordinator of Certifications and Academic Transition. After serving for six months as Interim Director of Military and Veteran Services, in April 2021 she became director. In this role, her leadership contributes to the education of military-related students in many ways, including her continued leadership at the Military and Veterans Success Center, where she serves the education needs of active duty military personnel, military dependents and veterans. Under her leadership, the university in 2024 was ranked third in the nation among large Military Friendly@Schools and was also recognized for its commitment to military spouses.

While serving UCM and its students, Swoboda continues to serve her country. She is active in the Air Force Reserves’ 442nd unit at Whiteman Air Force Bases, where she is a Technical Sergeant. In July 2024, she will reach an 11-year milestone of service in the Reserves, having used her skills as an Aircraft Armament Specialist, Education and Training Specialist, and more recently, Talent Management Consultant. In 2018, Swoboda deployed to Kandahar Air Force Base, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Freedom Sentinel.
 
After completing bachelor’s (2017) and master’s (2020) degrees from UCM, Swoboda is currently working toward an Education Specialist in Adult, Career, and Technical Education at her alma mater.  



SGA Vice President Dalton White, left, presents the Walter Hicklin Excellence in Service Award to Courtney  Swoboda, director of Military and Veteran Services at  UCM.