SUNY Niagara to honor Trustee Emerita Sheila Smith at 'Scholarship Soirée'

SUNY Niagara press release

SUNY Niagara will recognize Trustee Emerita Sheila Smith for her years of service to the college during the NCCC Foundation “Scholarship Soirée” on Oct. 8.

“The board is grateful to Trustee Emerita Smith for her dedication to SUNY Niagara, and delighted that the NCCC Foundation will recognize her contributions as a longtime leader,” said SUNY Board of Trustees Chair E. Bryan Dalporto. “She has been such a strong, steadfast voice for progress at the college. Even in retirement, we are certain to count on her continued support.”

Smith was appointed to the SUNY Niagara board of trustees by New York Gov. David Paterson in November 2009 and served until March 2026. In May, the board awarded her the title of trustee emerita in recognition of her longstanding contributions to the college.

During her tenure, Smith served as board secretary, chaired the academic/student life committee and served on the by-laws committee. She also remains a presidential circle with the NCCC Foundation and serves on the Association of Community College Trustees’ Charles Kennedy Equity Award committee.

“I’m very honored to have served on the SUNY Niagara trustee board for the past 17 years. SUNY Niagara has grown to be an exceptional institution. This can be attributed to exceptional faculty, staff and leadership, and supportive stakeholders,” Smith said. “I would also like to acknowledge the investment from the Niagara County Legislature and New York state, which has allowed the college to complete capital improvement projects such as the Learning Commons and Culinary Institute over the years. Those types of projects have helped the college address needs that allow the college to remain competitive.”

A lifelong educator and community leader, Smith retired in 2022 as principal of 79th Street Elementary School in Niagara Falls. She previously served as principal of Hyde Park Elementary School and Gaskill Preparatory Middle School, both in Niagara Falls. In those roles, she oversaw school operations, curriculum, professional development, personnel management and student services.

Earlier in her career, Smith was director of the Niagara Regional School-to-Work Consortium, which was housed at SUNY Niagara and served 12 school districts in Niagara and Orleans counties. She currently serves as a reviewer for the New York State Certification School Building Leader Exam for the New York State Education Department.

Smith also is active in several professional and civic organizations. She serves with The Links Inc., including its leadership institute and national program review committee, and is a member of the Cornell University Alumni Association and New Hope Baptist Church in Niagara Falls.

She earned a master’s degree in educational administration and elementary education from Niagara University and a bachelor's degree in industrial and labor relations from Cornell University.

The NCCC Foundation “Scholarship Soirée” celebrates philanthropy and student success while raising support for scholarships and educational opportunities at SUNY Niagara.