“Making it better”: New UMSI award named for longtime staff member Barb Smith

Barb Smith made things better. During her 23 years at the University of Michigan School of Information, she supported five deans and two interim deans, helping guide the school through two decades of growth amid rapid technological change.

Smith retired from her role as senior executive assistant to Dean Andrea Forte in December 2025. At a retirement celebration that filled the main event space of the Leinweber Computer Science and Information Building, Forte praised Smith’s dedication, acknowledging the lasting mark she has made on UMSI’s leadership and culture.

Institutional knowledge lives in individuals, and Smith supported the school through multiple crucial transitions: the creation of the Bachelor of Science of Information, Master of Health Informatics and Master of Applied Data Science programs; changes in leadership; moves to new facilities; and continued growth in the number of UMSI faculty, staff and students. 

Now, UMSI has established an annual staff award in her honor. The Barb Smith “Making It Better” Award recognizes a staff member whose everyday actions and thoughtful initiatives make the workplace better for others. Each year, based on nominations from UMSI community members, the award will be presented to someone who, like Smith, brings care, creativity and collaboration to their work — improving processes, communication and the overall experience of colleagues. 

The award is made possible in part by the generosity of professor emerita C. Olivia Frost, who served as interim dean of UMSI from 2006-07. 

“When I learned of Barb’s retirement and reflected on the impact she has had on the UMSI community, it seemed fitting to honor her in a way that recognizes both her accomplishments as well as those who model the level of excellence which marks her service at UMSI,” Frost said.  

Smith said she is "truly honored" that a staff award will carry her name and expressed gratitude for the appreciation Frost has long shown to the UMSI community. 

“I have seen firsthand how essential staff are to the success of the school,” Smith said. “This recognition is deeply meaningful to me because it reflects a shared commitment to valuing staff contributions.”