UTSA Athletics is a national leader in supporting first-generation student-athletes. Throughout the 2025-26 school year, GoUTSA.com will spotlight the department’s first-generation student-athletes, coaches, administrators and staff.
Brad Smith, Ed.D., is the Deputy Athletics Director for External Affairs at UTSA after joining the Roadrunners in the summer of 2023. He is a first-generation college graduate from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Smith earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Southern Miss, his master’s degree in sport management from Morehead State University and his Ed.D. in higher education administration also from Southern Miss.
Q: What does it mean to you to be a first-generation college graduate?
Brad Smith: “Being a first-generation college graduate is one of the most meaningful chapters of my life, not just because of the degrees I earned, but because of what they represent. I still remember stepping onto the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi for the first time. I didn’t know what I didn’t know. No one in my family could tell me how to register for classes, what a syllabus was or why office hours mattered. I came from a hard-working family that believed in me, but we were figuring it out together. Every decision, from choosing a major to finding housing, was new territory. I made mistakes. I asked a lot of questions. I learned through trial and error. But I also discovered just how far grit and determination could take you. I worked late nights, leaned on mentors and slowly found my footing. I didn’t just want to graduate, I wanted to go further, to prove that first-generation students could thrive and lead in higher education. That drive led me to Morehead State for my master’s degree, and eventually back to Southern Miss to earn my doctorate in education. Looking back, that journey wasn’t just about earning credentials. It was about breaking a cycle, rewriting what was possible for my family, and carrying the responsibility that comes with being the first. Every time I walk across a college campus, I think about where I started and how many students are on that same uncertain path today. That’s what drives me in my role. I know what it feels like to be in their shoes. And I know what it takes to walk them forward. Doing all of this comes back to the ‘why’ and my why is to build a generational legacy for my family.”
Q: How is attending college as a first-generation student a unique experience?
Brad Smith: “There’s a constant mix of pride and pressure. You often feel the weight of representing your family and community while trying to find your place in a world that’s completely new. First-gen students don’t always have a roadmap; they’re building it in real time. That experience builds grit, humility, and the ability to adapt quickly, all which shape who you become.”
Q: How much pride do you take in working at a university that serves such a large population of first-generation college students?
Brad Smith: “It’s deeply personal to me. Every day I come to work, I see students who remind me of my younger self, students who are driven, ambitious, and full of potential, but who may need just one person to believe in them. Working at UTSA, where first-gen success is central to our mission, makes my work incredibly meaningful.”
Q: How important are athletics to first-generation college students?
Brad Smith: “Athletics can be a powerful bridge for first-generation students. It creates a sense of belonging, pride, and connection to the university. Whether as student-athletes or fans, engaging with athletics can open doors to leadership, mentorship, and community that might otherwise feel out of reach. It’s a vehicle for support and a shared identity.”
Q: What is the most valuable trait that you bring to your job as a first-generation college graduate?
Brad Smith: “Empathy. I understand what it feels like to walk into spaces that weren’t necessarily built for you and to keep showing up anyway. That empathy helps me lead with compassion, listen actively, and create programs and opportunities that reflect the diverse needs of our student-athletes and fans.”
Q: What advice would you give to other first-generation college students?
Brad Smith: “You belong here. Don’t doubt that. Your story, your perspective and your presence add value. Seek mentors, ask questions, and give yourself permission to learn along the way. Every challenge you overcome is building your future and inspiring the next generation that will follow in your footsteps.”