Featured Falcons: Pamela Smith

May 27, 2025

What is your name and current title with the University of Montevallo?
Pamela Smith, asset and training coordinator.

Where are you from and what city do you currently reside in?
My family is from Long Island, New York.  My dad was a colonel in the Air Force, home was where we were stationed. I’ve been in the Birmingham area since 1998.

If you hold any degrees, what are they in and from what schools?
I have a Bachelor of Business Management with a minor in piano performance from Troy University. I also hold a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and I’m a certified Toastmaster (CTM).

How long have you worked here? 
I have worked at the University for nine fabulous years.

Did you hold any previous positions here? If so, what are they?
In 2016, I accepted the position as the director of the UM Community School of Music. Bringing music lessons to the community was (and still is) a passion I feel deeply connected to. As a pianist, music has always been an important part of who I am, and I want to share that with others. In 2022, I expanded my responsibilities by becoming the Department of Music administrative assistant, while continuing to serve as director of the Community School of Music. Most recently, I joined IS&T as the IS&T asset and training coordinator, a role that aligns closely with my previous experience in IT project management at Colonial Bank, AmSouth Bank and Regions Bank.

What brought you to Montevallo?
My family and I chose to move to Montevallo for several reasons. My husband and I first fell in love with the town shortly after we were married. In the early 2000s, we often visited friends who were attending graduate programs at the University, and we were always drawn to the charm and sense of community here. By 2011, my husband was in his 25th year with the 908th Aerial Port Squadron at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, and the commute from our home in Leeds was becoming increasingly difficult. Montevallo not only brought us closer to Montgomery, but it also felt like the right place to settle in. In 2012, we made the move and have since embraced Montevallo as the community where we want to be involved and raise our three daughters.

What’s the best thing about working for Montevallo? 
The best part about working at the University of Montevallo is the people. I’ve built compassionate and meaningful relationships with faculty, staff and students, and those connections make working here especially rewarding. I take pride in the work I do, I care about the people I work with, and I feel genuinely appreciated by both my colleagues and peers. I’m also thankful for the holidays and breaks afforded to the employees of the University, that’s a nice perk.

Do you have any interesting stories about one of your favorite experiences here?
Some of my most rewarding experiences have been collaborating with the community through the support of the University of Montevallo.

For example, as a member of the Parnell Library Memorial Foundation, I’ve helped organize student volunteers for projects like maintaining the bioswale grounds at the Parnell Memorial Library through The Big Event.

As a former member of the Montevallo Parks and Recreation Board, we welcomed UM student involvement in the annual Easter Egg Hunt and Christmas Parade. Additionally, we’ve invited the Upward Bound Program to offer face painting and children’s activities at the annual Critters by the Creek events and partnered with UM faculty in past years to introduce chair yoga sessions at the Montevallo Senior Center.

One of the things that brings me joy is the willingness of my friends and colleagues at the University of Montevallo to step up and serve on various organizational boards and committees. Their dedication to service is a big part of what makes UM such a special place.

What’s your proudest accomplishment since being at UM?
One of my proudest accomplishments as a University of Montevallo employee was being honored with the inaugural Staff Senate Shine Award, established in memory of Johnny Holsombeck. Being selected from among a group of accomplished, dedicated and honorable colleagues — each of whom is equally deserving — was deeply humbling. It meant a great deal to be recognized for my commitment to the University and the Montevallo community.

Are you currently working on or have you recently completed any interesting projects? 
My most recent project involved migrating the IT asset management database to a streamlined, industry-standard management system. The new application features an intuitive user interface and delivers accurate control over asset lifecycle management and deployment. Additionally, it provides Solution Center and academic support technicians access to asset data remotely while in the field — functionality that was not available in the previous system.

I’m proud to spearhead the IS&T Tech Tuesdays sessions, a collaborative effort between IS&T staff and subject matter experts from across campus. These sessions provide valuable IT training for faculty and staff, highlighting the tools and resources available to them. Prior Tech Tuesday topics have included Microsoft 365, Teams, cybersecurity, Excel, Qualtrics, Dynamic Forms, OneDrive, LinkedIn Learning, Canva, UM social media guidelines and more!

Why do you belong at Montevallo?
I belong at Montevallo because the warmth of a supportive and engaging community, both inside and outside the walls of the University, inspires me to shine.