Meg Smith to Serve as Speaker for the 103rd Cowley College Commencement Ceremony

An award-winning educator and longtime leader in media and journalism, Meg Smith will serve as this year’s Commencement Speaker at Cowley College. Commencement will be held Saturday, May 9, inside W.S. Scott Auditorium.

An Iowa native, Smith has lived and worked across the country—from California to Virginia—and even spent several years overseas in Okinawa, Japan. She began her career at Cowley in 2007 as the director of journalism and has since played a key role in shaping the college’s evolving media programs.

During her time at Cowley, Smith has transitioned from overseeing a bi-weekly student publication to leading the college’s modern media efforts as director of media and digital journalism. She launched CowleyCollegeMedia.com in 2023 and helped develop a monthly broadcast program, while teaching herself video production, audio editing, and content management along the way. Her students now produce a wide range of content, from social media storytelling to multimedia journalism projects.

“Storytelling is storytelling, whether it be via print, video or social media,” Smith said. “The growth I get to see in my students in the two years I have with them is such an amazing experience each year. Having taught in the field for 20 years, it just never gets old.”

Smith’s passion for journalism began at a young age in her hometown of Creston, Iowa, where she spent afternoons working in her high school darkroom and documenting school events. After high school, she joined the Marine Corps, serving as an audio video technical specialist and later as a Water Safety Survival Instructor in Okinawa, where she trained lifeguards and taught swim instruction to individuals of all ages.

Her path to education came unexpectedly after a mentor asked her to step in and teach courses during a recovery period. That experience inspired her to pursue a Master’s in Education Technology from Pepperdine University, where she graduated with a 4.0 GPA and a passion for innovation in the classroom. She is currently working toward her doctorate in curriculum and instruction, continuing her belief that learning is a lifelong pursuit.

Smith’s dedication to her students and her craft has earned her numerous accolades. In 2022, she was recognized by the Wichita Business Journal as part of its Women Who Lead in Higher Education. Most recently, she received the prestigious Bill and Judy Docking Faculty Achievement Award for excellence in teaching, an honor awarded every two years to a faculty member who demonstrates exceptional service, innovation, and commitment to student success.

Former Humanities and Communications Chair Marlys Cervantes praised Smith’s impact, saying, “Meg is an excellent speaker and will be an inspiration to Cowley graduates and others attending the ceremony. Former students regularly note her as a major reason for their success in their careers and lives.”

Smith looks forward to addressing graduates and celebrating their accomplishments as they take the next step in their journeys.

Hunter Ferguson | Integrated Communications Specialist
Cowley College
125 S. 2nd Street
Arkansas City, KS 67005
hunter.ferguson@cowley.edu