DARBY SMITH
In addition to her work in Student Affairs, Ms. Smith has a creative background in photography, makeup artistry, and social media marketing. She teaches entrepreneurs and business owners how to build a strong online presence through content creation and branding. As the founder of her personal brand, Dear Darby, she shares meaningful life lessons in a relatable and impactful way. A mentor to young men and women across the nation, Ms. Smith is passionate about empowering others to grow, lead, and thrive.
Before returning to Southern University, Ms. Smith served as director of Student Activities and Leadership Development at Wiley College in Marshall, Texas. In this role, she prepared students for life beyond graduation through career readiness, social networking, community engagement, and leadership development. She also advised the Royal Court, Student Government Association, and Organization Council. Currently, Ms. Smith serves as the inaugural director of the Office of Community Outreach and Parental Engagement at Southern University. In this role, she leads efforts in strategic communication, accessible resource development, and engagement programming that connects parents and families with the tools needed to support student success.
Darby Smith is a native of Shreveport, Louisiana, and a proud two-time graduate of Southern University and A&M College. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing in 2019 and her Master of Public Administration in 2021. During her undergraduate years, she served as the 88th Miss Southern University (2018) and is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, through the Sigma Rho Omega Chapter in Shreveport, Louisiana. Ms. Smith recently competed in her first system pageant, the 2024 Miss Louisiana USA Pageant, representing as Miss East Baton Rouge. She placed in the Top 16 and earned the distinguished title of Miss Congeniality, a testament to her character, poise, and positive impact on others.
HBCU TIMES WINTER ISSUE 2026 | 5 3
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