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Martha Smith may be a first-generation university student, but she likes to point out that technically, her parents did go to college.
The Smiths attended clown college and later worked several years for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey as circus performers. The Smiths eventually settled in tiny Kooskia, where Martha grew up. As president of the Associated Students of University of Idaho (ASUI), Martha aims to create an administration where students from all walks of life have a voice.
“I really wanted to have someone in leadership from a small town, limited-income background, to represent those students,” Smith said.
Her first exposure to U of I came in elementary school, when she attended the McCall Outdoor Science School. Smith visited MOSS twice more in middle school and attended a women in science event on the Moscow campus in high school, which piqued her interest in the U of I.
As a senior at Clearwater Valley High School, Smith earned her real estate license and was earning good money. But she gave up her promising career to join the Vandal Family. There were moments during her freshman year when she had second thoughts.
“When I got to college, there were definitely times when I thought about dropping out and going back to real estate,” Smith said. “If I didn’t have ASUI and my sorority, I would have dropped out. Being involved on campus really changed my perception of higher education. The best part is being a part of something bigger than myself.”
As ASUI president, one of Smith’s top priorities is the Vandals Vote campaign, focused on getting U of I students to the polls in November. She’s also focused on transparency, publicly sharing ASUI’s budget and operations.
Smith established an academic advisory board with students from each college to diversify representation and serve as an incubator for ASUI leadership. Her agenda also includes more coordination between ASUI and Vandal Athletics, and she’d like to help the U of I strategic enrollment management team recruit students from rural high schools in Idaho.
Two of Smith’s younger sisters have joined her at U of I and a third is likely on the way to Moscow. It’s a point of great pride for the first-generation college student, who has gained invaluable relationships and a tremendous foundation for a career in law during her time at U of I.
“To have myself and my three sisters on the path to getting degrees, that wouldn’t have been possible without U of I,” Smith said. “My mom always calls it the ripple effect. I hope people that come from a similar background can see that a leadership role, or whatever their goals might be, are attainable.”
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