Kristi Smith, a University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduate, has been selected to fill a key fundraising role for the university.

Smith, who earned a UALR bachelor’s degree in international studies in 1995 and a master’s degree in public administration two years later, has been named the UALR senior director of development.

She will create and execute donor prospect strategy and will work with priority philanthropic initiatives at UALR, such as the Chancellor’s Circle, the Center for Arkansas History and Culture, and the Foundation Fund board of directors.

The North Little Rock native began her undergraduate studies as a Donaghey scholar, which enabled her to spend time abroad in Strasbourg, France. She graduated magna cum laude and worked as a graduate assistant in the Arkansas Institute of Government while she pursued her master’s degree.

“I cherished my time as a student here and will forever be grateful to UALR for being able to graduate from college debt-free,” Smith said. “Unfortunately, many students who attend UALR don’t have the same experience. Many are dependent on loans to get them through, which leads me to why I will be calling (potential donors) soon.”

She has a message for those potential donors:

“The gifts you make will truly impact a student’s life and will allow them to realize the dream of graduating from the world class institution that is UALR,” Smith said.

Smith served as assistant to the dean of the UALR Graduate School, where she remained four years. She also spent four years working at the College of Medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Science (UAMS).

She later worked in pharmaceutical sales for AstraZeneca, earning numerous sales awards including being named to the Circle of Excellence during her nine years with the company.

Smith and her husband, Greg, have two miniature schnauzers, Dottie and DiDi, at home in Little Rock. She is an active member of the Beta Pi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.