Stephany D. Smith

“Wife, mom, U.S. Army veteran, educator, mental health advocate, bibliophile; extroverted introvert fueled by curiosity”

Hometown: Monroe, Louisiana

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’m a certified K-6 teacher with experience teaching 3rd, 4th, and 6th grades in public schools across Alabama and Georgia.

Undergraduate School and Major: Alabama A&M University, B.A. Political Science and M.Ed in Education

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: U.S. Army, Recruiting Company Commander

What has been your favorite part of the Twin Cities so far? What has made it such a great place to earn an MBA?

The Twin Cities has so much to offer! The Minnesota State Fair and Mall of America have been standout highlights, but we’ve also enjoyed experiencing life in a colder climate—it’s been a unique and fun adjustment. The area has excellent, top-ranked schools for my children and has provided a great opportunity for my husband to work as an educator. We’ve also found several family-friendly neighborhoods that make it a wonderful place to call home.

As for earning an MBA, the Twin Cities is an exceptional place due to its proximity to successful and highly regarded corporations. It’s inspiring to study in a region with such a strong business community, offering endless opportunities to connect, grow, and learn.

Carlson MBAs spend a year in hands-on Enterprise programs for Consulting, Branding, Ventures, and Funds. Which program do you intend to enroll in? What excites most about your Enterprise program?

This was a tough decision for me, given my strong interests in branding, consulting, and ventures. Ultimately, I chose the Ventures Enterprise to support my entrepreneurial aspirations. I’m most excited about providing consulting support to startups and gaining insight into the unique challenges they face. I also look forward to networking and collaborating with founders, as I believe building meaningful relationships is a key component to success.

Aside from your classmates, experiential learning, and location, what was the key part of the Carlson MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? 

One key aspect of the Carlson MBA programming that stood out to me was the diverse range of core classes and elective options. I appreciated the flexibility to tailor my education—whether by blending a variety of business topics for a well-rounded experience or specializing in a specific business function to align with my career goals. This adaptability was essential in helping me choose Carlson.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far:

The most fulfilling accomplishments in my career have come from helping others achieve their professional goals. During my final assignment in the Army, I had the privilege of leading a team of recruiters who not only exceeded their recruitment mission but also set historic records for the number of enlistments made in the area.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far:

My greatest accomplishment as an MBA student has been achieving clarity on my professional and personal career goals. I was recently honored to be selected as a 2025 Sands Fellow, providing me with an exciting opportunity to bring a meaningful business idea I developed to life with the support of the Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far?

Attending two affinity group conferences—Forte and National Black MBA—has been a highlight of my MBA experience. These events allowed me to meet MBA students from across the country, connect with various companies, and strengthen meaningful relationships with my classmates.