Millennium Magazine_8th Ed

86 Millennium - A Marquis Who’s Who Magazine EDUCATION D r. Ceeon Quiett Smith is celebrated for escalating through the ranks of success into becoming the educator and academic administrator she is recognized as today. The chief of staff at Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina, since 2017, she previously served universities across the U.S. in varying roles. She was an adjunct instructor of Alabama State University, faculty associate at Arizona State University and Homeland Security and communications professor and vice president of external affairs and communications at Florida Memorial University. As chief of staff, Dr. Quiett Smith is a member of the President’s Cabinet, supporting the president’s team and other staff to carry out the mission of Benedict College. Her responsibilities entail oversight and management of offices and college centers. During her tenure, her responsibilities have included the oversight of the office of information technology, physical plant, the small business development and entrepreneurship center, marketing communications, college publications and committees, and human resources. She works in collaboration with the vice president of academic affairs to advance professional development and innovation- centered academic programs, including the Student Innovation Hub and Cosmetology Maker Space. She also serves as chair of the Benedict-Allen Community Development Center. Dr. Quiett Smith became attracted to education due to her recognition of students’ needs to obtain practical experience and knowledge integrated into college coursework. Drawing upon her experiences in her hometown in response to Hurricane Katrina, having served as an executive assistant to the Mayor of Communications in 2006, and in 2010, serving on the response team for BP during the Gulf Coast oil spill, she forged her path into higher education. Coming from a family of educators herself, she was inspired by her mother, a 40-year educator. Upon receiving a BA in communications from Howard University, Dr. Quiett Smith obtained a master’s degree at the University of Maryland at College Park and a PhD at Arizona State University. Millennium Magazine Featured Listee CEEON D. QUIETT SMITH, PHD CHIEF OF STAFF Benedict College Columbia, SC