Photo by Christina VanHorn,
UNH Human Resources

During Heather L. Smith's days as an English major at Boston College, people asked her what exactly she planned to do with a background in literature and American women writers, especially if she didn't want to teach. But as her career progressed, Heather found the persuasive and written skills she acquired while studying English would lead her to a variety of jobs and experiences. Most recently, these skills have led her to a position as Director of the Office of Outreach Education & Summer Studies (OES).

OES serves both adults and the "typical" college-aged student with UNH courses during the summer and continuing education throughout the year. "Duties can range from strategic discussions and budgeting to writing marketing copy; from helping design new courses and programs, to fielding requests for tuition refunds," Heather says. "It is a wide-ranging and diverse position, which keeps it exciting and fresh."

Many students take advantage of the OES services to further their professional skills, start or re-start a college education, or explore a personal interest. Heather says people are drawn to the traditional liberal arts courses, as well business courses. In fact, UNH offers over 500 day and evening credit courses in Durham each semester, as well as part-time degree and diploma programs.

Heather's supervisor, Julie E. Williams, praises her work: "Heather is a smart and strategic leader who already understands many of the larger institutional issues here at UNH, even as she undertakes this new leadership role as Director of the Office of Outreach Education and Summer Studies."

Before the three years Heather has so far spent at UNH, her employers ranged from book publishers to pasta companies. After graduating from Boston College, she started out doing tech support. "That didn't go so well," she laughs. She picked up an M.B.A. at Babson College, and got a job promoting pasta. "I worked for a company called High Liner managing a line of frozen pasta," Heather says. "I would tell people, 'Pasta, despite Atkins, has a lot of nutritional value!' I found out I'd rather feed the mind than the body!" One job she did enjoy was working for Heinemann, an educational book publisher. "The material is aimed mostly for elementary school teachers," Heather says. "It felt like we were making a difference in their professional lives."

The feeling of making a difference is something she hasn't lost since arriving at UNH. Heather says the most satisfying thing about her job now is knowing that "our work helps extend the incredible resources of the University to a wider group of students, and that students benefit so much, both personally and professionally, from being part of UNH."

When not on the job, Heather spends time with her husband, John, and two sons-Harrison, 4, and Brendan, 13 months-at their home in Portsmouth. "Lately, my hobbies have been sledding, playing Transformers, or dressing up as Power Rangers and Batman," Heather laughs. "But aside from the kids, I'm also really into skiing, reading, traveling, hiking, stuff like that. We'll get back to those someday, but no rush!"