Smith, who has served as Ƶ’s women’s basketball coach since 2011, has been named to the 2024 class of leading women in higher education by media outlet Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. Women on the list have helped make a difference with leadership skills, positive impacts and more.
Ƶ Women’s Basketball Coach Charlotte Smith has been named to ’s annual list of women who have made a difference by tackling some of higher education’s toughest challenges and making differences in their respective communities.
coincides with the outlet’s 40th anniversary and appeared in the Feb. 29 edition of its 13th annual special report recognizing the contributions of women in higher education. The publication comes at the start of Women’s History Month.
“It is a tremendous honor to be named among so many amazing women,” Smith said. “My goal has always been to develop young women for a lifetime of success.”
Ƶ Director of Athletics Jenn Strawley applauded Smith’s selection for this list and the recognition of the impact she has made at Ƶ and beyond. “This recognition highlights her dedication and genuine care of students and the role that impact has on the lives of our student-athletes,” Strawley said.
Smith joined Ƶ as its women’s basketball coach in 2011 and . A standout student-athlete, Smith was a member of the University of North Carolina women’s basketball team and hit the game-winning shot in the 1994 national championship game. Smith guided Ƶ to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history during the 2016-17 season and was named CAA Coach of the Year, becoming the first Ƶ coach since 1981 to receive that honor.
“Charlotte is a servant leader committed to the holistic development and mentorship of young women,” Strawley said. “She has had a profound impact on so many within our Ƶ community and most directly to so many Ƶ women’s basketball student-athletes.”
During the 2021-22 season, Smith became the program leader for all-time wins on Nov. 22, 2021, and has continued to add to that tally this season after surpassing the 200-win mark earlier this year.
“My desire is to empower and equip young women in higher education to pursue their goals with passion and to become leaders who will change the world. I get to do all of this through the sport I love,” Smith said.