Profiles of Impact
Linda A. Smith
Investing in Student Discovery and Experiential Learning
Linda A. Smith, Ph.D., MLS, BB (ASCP), spent her career helping students connect ideas and find their place in healthcare. Now, she is creating opportunities at
A professor emeritus in MLS (medical laboratory sciences), Linda began teaching at UTSA before continuing her work at UT Health San Antonio as her program transitioned to a clinically focused setting. Across academic and clinical environments, she prepared students for critical roles in healthcare while guiding them as they discovered their strengths.
“I always knew I wanted to do something in medicine, and like many of my students I happened to fall into medical laboratory sciences,” Linda said. “Growing up, I always did jigsaw puzzles and enjoyed fitting the pieces together to make a full picture. In MLS, you take information from different laboratory disciplines to build a complete patient picture.”
That mindset defined her time in the classroom and shaped how she approached teaching, where she found the greatest reward in watching students grow into confident, capable professionals.
“You see those moments where everything begins to click, where they start to think more holistically and understand how everything fits together,” she said. “I have followed several of my graduates over time and have seen them become leaders in their field. When they reach out to share what they are doing now, it is incredibly meaningful.”
That lasting impact, combined with her own experience as a first-generation college student, inspired Linda to establish a planned gift to
Designed to extend learning beyond the classroom, Linda’s gift will help students engage in hands-on projects and build meaningful connections with mentors and professionals.
“I really wanted this gift to focus on mentorship and experiential learning,” she said. “It is about creating opportunities for students to engage with professionals, participate in meaningful projects and gain exposure to different paths.”
Linda worked closely with the university’s planned giving team, including Kim West, assistant vice president for development, to structure her gift through a charitable gift annuity.
“Kim was extremely helpful in guiding me through the simple process,” Linda said. “The only difficult part is deciding what you want your gift to support. There are so many ways to make an impact!”
Linda hopes her support will help students stay on track, build confidence and discover new professional possibilities.
“It is important to support education in whatever way you can,” she said. “When you invest in students, you are not just helping them reach their goals. You are shaping the care they will provide, the communities they will serve and the lives they will impact.”
