Welcome new staff members

Born and raised in the Athens area, Jessica Smith received her bachelor’s degree in advertising from the University of Georgia. After graduation, she worked as an event coordinator and director of sales for five years before deciding to start a family. Once her second child was born, she was ready to go back to work in the creative realm as an online children’s clothing designer and manufacturer.

During this time, Smith and her business partner grew the business from 10 followers to over 250,000, as well as from just two employees to over 20 in just five years. Once her children were in their tweens and not “willing” models for the clothing line, she hung up her needle and thread and headed back into the office.

This spring, Smith returned to her alma mater and joined the Department of Kinesiology as their office manager, where she helps support faculty, staff, and students and apply her event coordinating skills to planning departmental lectures and events.

Margarita Tejeda will be forwarding the Center for Latino Achievement and Success in Education’s tripartite mission of research, outreach, and instruction by supporting the center with event coordination, budgets, and logistical planning. She has more than 20 years of experience in both the U.S. and the Dominican Republic with hospitality, translation, and family engagement in schools.

Tejeda is passionate about ensuring access to educational opportunities for all students and building strong partnerships between the university and the communities that we serve. She is an incredible asset to CLASE and the College, and we are grateful to have her on our team.

Please welcome Jessica Smith and Margarita Tejeda to the Mary Frances Early College of Education!