Amanda Smith ‘16, ‘24

Amanda Smith ‘16, ‘24

Amanda Smith (’16, B.A.; ’24, M.S. in Human Services and Delivery Administration), age 37, has spent over a decade advancing child and family well-being through advocacy, program evaluation, and community engagement. As Quality Assurance Supervisor at Seeds that Grow, she leads efforts in support, compliance, and sustainability. Her career spans case management, volunteer recruitment, and grant development, with a focus on connecting children and families to vital resources and building lasting relationships beyond foster care. Amanda has worked extensively with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), guiding children and collaborating with stakeholders to address unmet community needs.

Originally from north Georgia, Amanda discovered her passion for human services at the University of North Georgia (UNG), shifting from dentistry with the guidance of impactful professors. Her academic excellence earned her induction into Tua Upsilon Alpha (TUA) Honor Society and election to the Graduate Student Senate (2023–2024). In 2024, she was named UNG’s Master’s Student of the Year. She now lives in Monticello with her husband, Adam, and their children, Edward (23) and Olivia (3).

Beyond her professional work, Amanda is active in service and leadership. She served on the inaugural Legacy Cotillion planning committee and co-presented at the 2024 American Evaluation Association Conference on integrating program evaluation into human services education. She is especially passionate about mentoring teen mothers in foster care and plans to launch a nonprofit dedicated to supporting them. In her free time, she enjoys travel, the outdoors, and family life. Being named to UNG’s Young Alumni 20 Under 40 reflects her commitment to lifelong impact and the values rooted in her UNG experience.