Jennifer Ellis Smith

Jennifer Ellis Smith is the Director of Student Success and Retention at the LSU Health Shreveport School of Allied Health Professions. She aims to provide students with educational resources and supplemental instruction to assist with program matriculation while balancing life. Before joining LSU Health, Jennifer served as the Director of Student Success and Retention for Bossier Parish Community College, where she played a key role in planning registration events, establishing student-center support services, and integrally establishing a student communication and appointment process during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jennifer, a first-generation college graduate, is not only dedicated to her professional role but also to giving back to the community. She provides high school students with free ACT tutoring, college preparation, and financial aid workshops, demonstrating her commitment to educational equity. Her interests extend to introducing underserved student populations to STEM careers, a testament to her passion for inclusivity and diversity in education.
Jennifer earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. She also earned a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Education after her undergraduate education. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Developmental Education at Grambling State University.