NORFOLK– A Northeast Community College student leader who works to ensure her fellow students enjoy their time in college outside of the classroom has been recognized nationally for her work.

The Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities (APCA) has presented Tia Smith with its national Student Programmer of the Year award. The honor was bestowed to Smith during APCA’s national conference in Orlando, FL, recently.

“In a sea of leaders, Tia stands out,” said Carissa Kollath, director of student activities at Northeast. “She is organized, responsible, has a wonderful work ethic, follow through, and also builds strong relationships with her fellow students.”

APCA is divided into five regions across the country and includes both two-year and four-year colleges and universities. Smith, who serves as president of Northeast’s Student Activities Council (SAC), was nominated by Kollath and won the APCA’s Student Programmer of the Midwest Region award. This qualified her and four others from the other regions for the national award.

Kollath said Smith served as vice president of SAC while she was a freshman and moved into the president’s role this year.

“Tia not only helps host all the student activity events and runs our Monday Night at the Movies, but she is involved in the local (Norfolk Public Schools) Aftershock program, as well. In addition to all the ways she is active at Northeast and in our community, APCA recognized her for the leadership skills they have seen her display at past conferences.”

Smith served as an event crew member during the national conference this year. She will graduate in May with an Associate in Arts degree in Education – Secondary.

Also at the conference, Northeast earned third place nationally in the novelty item competition for its SAC socks.

In addition to Smith and Kollath, SAC member Victoria Gaona, Gibbon, and Erika Rupprecht, Student Activities coordinator, attended the conference.

APCA seeks to promote campus engagement through quality educational experiences, affordable entertainment and community service initiatives. Previously, over 600 schools and more than 2,000 students and higher education professionals attended APCA conferences and events across the country.