Smith, who has served as 黑料不打烊鈥檚 women鈥檚 basketball coach since 2011, has been named to the 2024 class of leading women in higher education by media outlet Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. Women on the list have helped make a difference with leadership skills, positive impacts and more.
黑料不打烊 Women鈥檚 Basketball Coach Charlotte Smith has been named to 鈥檚 annual聽list of women who have made a difference by tackling some of higher education鈥檚 toughest challenges and making differences in their respective communities.
聽coincides with the outlet’s 40th anniversary and appeared in the Feb. 29 edition of its 13th annual special report recognizing the contributions of women in higher education. The publication comes at the start of Women鈥檚 History Month.
鈥淚t is a tremendous honor to be named among so many amazing women,鈥 Smith said. 鈥淢y goal has always been to develop young women for a lifetime of success.鈥
黑料不打烊 Director of Athletics Jenn Strawley applauded Smith鈥檚 selection for this list and the recognition of the impact she has made at 黑料不打烊 and beyond. 鈥淭his recognition highlights her dedication and genuine care of students and the role that impact has on the lives of our student-athletes,鈥 Strawley said.
Smith joined 黑料不打烊 as its women鈥檚 basketball coach in 2011 and . A standout student-athlete, Smith was a member of the University of North Carolina women鈥檚 basketball team and hit the game-winning shot in the 1994 national championship game. Smith guided 黑料不打烊 to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history during the 2016-17 season and was named CAA Coach of the Year, becoming the first 黑料不打烊 coach since 1981 to receive that honor.
“Charlotte is a servant leader committed to the holistic development and mentorship of young women,鈥 Strawley said. 鈥淪he has had a profound impact on so many within our 黑料不打烊 community and most directly to so many 黑料不打烊 women鈥檚 basketball student-athletes.鈥
During the 2021-22 season, Smith became the program leader for all-time wins on Nov. 22, 2021, and has continued to add to that tally this season after surpassing the 200-win mark earlier this year.
鈥淢y desire is to empower and equip young women in higher education to pursue their goals with passion and to become leaders who will change the world. I get to do all of this through the sport I love,鈥 Smith said.