Shanna Loren Smith

What is your current role and what are your primary responsibilities?

I’m a health education specialist at CDC. I work in HIV/AIDS. In my role I teach prescribers and health departments how to prescribe HIV prophylactics in their communities. I also teach bedside manner when working with affected populations. 

What skills from your time at SPHS have been most valuable to you?

Most valuable skills probably came from speech and broadcasting classes. 

How did your career path evolve?

After high school, I went to Auburn University for college. As soon as I graduated, I moved to Atlanta and started working as a management trainee for Enterprise Rent-A-Car. I left that job to be an office manager at a dermatologist office and began my masters at the University of Georgia while I had that job. During my second semester of my masters program, CDC reached out to UGA to see if they had any students that were in the instructional design program that were interested in heading up a new role at CDC, and now I’ve been there 15 years. 

What advice would you give your past self about career planning?  about life planning?

The grass isn’t always greener in another job, but don’t let fear of failure hold you back. 

Who was your favorite teacher and why (and which class did they teach)?

I loved Ms. Dennis the librarian so much. She made me feel like family. 

What extracurriculars did you participate in and how did that shape your time at SPHS?

Color Guard and Broadcasting 

What advice would you give students to maximize their high school experience?

Take any opportunities you can to network in your community with people doing things that interest you. You never know what doors it may open.

What are you most proud of since graduating from SP?

Graduated Auburn in 3 years after not being an amazing student in high school. College projects just suited me better. Purchasing my first home at 23. 

What are your favorite memories from your time at SPHS?

Everything was so much fun because it was the first time being the first graduating class so I have lots of fun memories but most of them are just getting to experience stuff for the first time.

What did you love about being a student at SP?

Always being the upperclassman was pretty cool and getting to have a say-so in the mascot in the colors.