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For Camille Schrier, Miss America 2020, using her position to promote STEM education is one of her most important roles. The featured speaker at Stephen F. Austin State University’s Women in STEM luncheon, Schrier will tell her journey so far as a woman in STEM in hopes of encouraging others to pursue STEM fields.

“My goal is to show that although pursuing a STEM career is rarely easy, it is incredibly worth it,” Schrier said. “I hope that my story can inspire those thinking about or currently pursuing science to keep working hard!”

Growing up, Schrier was always fascinated by science, showing an interest in the natural world that translated into a love of biology.

“I was very lucky to grow up in an environment that fostered my curiosity for the way the world worked,” she said. “It was never a question of whether or not I wanted to pursue a STEM career but rather what I would do with it.”

Schrier received bachelor’s degrees in biochemistry and systems biology from Virginia Tech and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy at Virginia Commonwealth University.

“Ms. Schrier is an outstanding role model who utilizes her national platform and passion for science to promote her social initiative for drug safety,” said Dr. Kimberly Childs, dean of the College of Sciences and Mathematics. “With style and grace, she encourages and promotes the advancement of women in STEM careers as we continue to strengthen the STEM pipeline.”

At the Women in STEM luncheon, Schrier hopes to use her time to mentor and inspire other young women to pursue STEM careers.

“Through my role as Miss America and events like the Women in STEM luncheon, I’m excited to help break the stereotype that women cannot be both feminine and a scientist!” she said.

The noon event will be held Tuesday, March 23, at The Fredonia Hotel and will feature STEM majors wearing fashions provided by The Town House.

Schrier will also attend a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, March 22, in the Cole STEM Building, giving guests an opportunity to visit with and have their photo taken with Schrier. The event will include a gallery walk poster presentation highlighting STEM research accomplishments by SFA students.

Tickets for the luncheon are $50 each or $350 for a table of eight. Tickets for the reception are $50 each and $25 for children ages 12 and under.

For tickets, visit sfasu.edu/womeninSTEM. For more information, email Kim Carmona at kdcarmona@sfasu.edu.

By Joanna Armstrong, marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.

Lorenzo M. Smith, Ph.D., professor and dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science at California State​ University, Sacramento, will be Stephen F. Austin State University’s next provost and executive vice president.

Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; a master’s from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan; and a doctorate in engineering mechanics from Michigan State University.

“Dr. Smith is a visionary, proven leader with a passion for advancing student, staff and faculty success,” said Dr. Scott Gordon, SFA president. “He has thrived as a faculty member and as a dean, and we look forward to the leadership he will provide as provost and executive vice president at SFA.”

Prior to his service at Sacramento State, Smith was a faculty member at Oakland University from 2000 through 2011 and taught courses ranging from the mechanics of metal forming to the theory of plasticity. He served as associate dean from 2011 through 2014.

Under his leadership, four of the college’s programs advanced from unranked categories and are now highly ranked, and a multi-faceted student success center was created to facilitate academic advising, tutoring, student internships and career services. During the COVID crisis, Smith implemented the delivery of take-home learning kits to facilitate off-campus learning for students.

Smith has authored approximately 60 publications​ and secured $7 million in external funding to support his research and scholarly activity. Additionally, he collaborated with students, staff and faculty to create and execute two college-level strategic plans that led to successful fundraising efforts totaling $5.6 million for the institution.

In 2019, Smith became the founding chair of the CSU Engineering Deans Council, which was formed to advocate collectively for 20 engineering deans across the university system. That same year, he received the American Society of Civil Engineering – Sacramento Chapter Jonathan Burdette Brown Education Award.

He has served as president of the board of directors of the Oakland Youth Orchestra and the Sacramento Youth Symphony and has been a member of the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce and a Little League Baseball coach.

Smith will assume his role June 1 and will succeed the current provost, Dr. Steve Bullard, who recently announced his plans to retire from the university.