Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community member Emma Smith was selected as the recipient of the Western Washington University College of Business and Economics’ Presidential Scholar award.

The award honors graduates for their “exceptional scholarship and service to the university and community,” according to the president’s office at the university.

Smith said she is from the Paul Smith family in the SRPMIC. She was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, by her parents, Lonnie and Shawna Smith, and has four siblings: Kylie, Hannah, Carter and Hayden Smith. Her grandfather Gerald Smith is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, and his mother was from the Pueblo of Jemez. Gerald Smith’s grandmother is Amy Carlos of the SRPMIC.

“My grandpa remains close to all three of his tribes and encourages his grandchildren to do the same,” said Smith.

During Smith’s first quarter at Western Washington University, she was taught managerial accounting by one of her professors, Steve Smith, whose teaching ignited her interest in accounting. He nominated Smith for the award.

“I wanted to reciprocate his enthusiasm in the class, which led to long hours of studying alone and with classmates to ensure I was as prepared as I could be for the class,” she said.

3 Takeaways:

• SRPMIC member Emma Smith was selected for the Western Washington University College of Business and Economics Presidential Scholar award.
• Smith fell in love with accounting while at school after being taught by her professor and mentor, Steve Smith, who nominated her for the award.
• She kept busy in school on the cross country and track teams, as well as serving as a council member for the Native American Student Union.

Steve Smith’s nomination read as follows:

Emma Smith exemplifies the qualities recognized by Western Washington University’s Presidential Scholar Award: academic achievement, meaningful engagement with multicultural communities, and sustained service to others. As a student-athlete, scholar, mentor, and cultural leader, Emma has consistently balanced demanding responsibilities while contributing to the success of those around her. Whether in the classroom, on the track team, or through Native student programming, Emma approaches leadership as an opportunity to strengthen community and support others. Her record at Western reflects not only individual accomplishment but also a consistent commitment to helping others grow and succeed.

Smith’s professor was so impressed by her that he recommended her for a position as an accountant for a local electrical company, a job Smith said she’s held now for three years.

“Dr. Smith became my mentor, helping me with obstacles in my degree, applying to my internship, nudging me to do more and helping me say no when my plate was too full,” said Smith. “I wouldn’t be the graduate I am today without his guidance.”

This spring, Smith completed her bachelor of science degree in accounting with a concentration in management information systems, earning a 3.9 grade point average.

While in school, Smith stayed quite busy. She was a member of the cross country and track teams, including in 2023, when she competed and scored in the NCAA Division II West Region meet, where the team placed first.

“In track, I placed third in the 10K in our conference meet in 2023,” she said.

Smith was also involved in the university’s College of Business through their volunteer income tax assistant (VITA) and peer mentor program. VITA is an IRS-sponsored service that provides free, reliable tax preparation to the Bellingham, Washington, community, according to Smith.

Would you believe Smith also served as a council member for the Native American Student Union?

“While on council, I helped plan our weekly meetings, fundraisers and recruiting,” said Smith. “I was also on the Powwow Committee, working from about October to May planning, fundraising and facilitating our annual Spring Powwow, the biggest student-led event on campus.”

Most recently, Smith became a mentor at a nearby high school in their tribal language classroom. Smith said that Bellingham is close to the Lummi Nation, and that this high school has about a 5% Indigenous population.

“I was in the classroom during their free period and was available for homework help,” said Smith. “When not helping students directly with homework, I was answering questions about college as well as learning more from them and their teachers about the Coast Salish traditions.” In September, Smith will begin an audit position in Portland, Oregon, with Deloitte, a professional services firm. Until then, Smith said, she is studying daily for the certified public accountant (CPA) examination as well as doing trail runs in Bellingham and around Mount Baker.