Caleb Smith ’27 is MBU’s first-ever representative with the NCAA DIII Student Athlete Advisory Committee, and he’s committed to using his platform for student-athlete success.
For Caleb Smith ‘27, being a student-athlete at Mary Baldwin University is about much more than just the time spent on the soccer field or the track. It is about a commitment to leaving the university better than he found it.
A junior biology major from Savannah, Georgia, Smith has quickly ascended from freshman recruit to national leader. He currently serves as the president of MBU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and, this year, was selected as the national representative for the USA South Athletic Conference.
From the Pitch to the Podium
Smith’s journey into leadership began during his freshman year, inspired by his student mentor, fellow soccer player Stephen Blair ‘24. After serving as the SAAC secretary as a sophomore, Smith took the helm this year with a clear vision: changing the culture of the organization.
“I think there is a lot of real responsibility,” Smith said. “With so much of our student body also playing sports, I’m trying to change the culture of the SAAC so it doesn’t fade in and out as much as it has before. It’s really easy for it to feel like a chore to student-athletes, and I want to inspire people to feel like real volunteers making a difference on campus.”
Under Smith’s leadership, the 15-member committee organizes vital campus and regional events, including the “Cans Across the Conference” food drive and the annual trunk-or-treat event. For Smith, these initiatives are key to the identity of MBU Athletics.
“I want someone saying that they’re a student-athlete at MBU to mean to community members that this person is one of the best,” he noted.
A National Voice
Smith’s impact extends far beyond the Staunton campus. After attending leadership retreats in Raleigh, North Carolina, and national conventions, he was selected as the national SAAC representative for the USA South Conference.
As the representative of the conference, Smith began his term with the NCAA Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee on January 18th. As a national representative, he’ll be responsible for advocating for the needs and interests of his fellow students, and will have a vote on major issues considered by the NCAA.
The role has taken him across the country, including an upcoming orientation for new national representatives in Indianapolis. During a recent convention, Smith found his voice on a massive stage, speaking to a room of 150 peers about the importance of mental health and the pressures of collegiate life.
“Having this responsibility keeps me busy, which I really appreciate, but it’s also shown me the impact that small schools like Mary Baldwin can have on a broader community,” Smith said. “It’s ultimately taught me to embrace every opportunity that comes my way, and now I feel ready to push for things that I didn’t think were possible.”
Success in the Lab and the Community
When he isn’t competing or leading committee meetings, Smith is deeply immersed in the sciences. Drawing inspiration from his grandmother, a former research assistant at Duke University, Smith currently curates the herbarium for the MBU Biology Department.
“I tell people he’s a rock star!” explained Kadrin Anderson, assistant professor of Biology at MBU. “I met him as a freshman in my BIOL111 lab, and when it came time to initiate the process of digitizing the herbarium, I chose Caleb to help me because he has a genuine interest in the organismal and ecological side of biology. He has proven himself an incredibly hard worker and he’s really smart. I think the world of him and MBU should be very proud to have him here.”
Smith has also proven to be a committed steward of the environment — evident through his local internships with Sustainable Shenandoah Valley and Earth Day Staunton. Whether he is working alongside Emeritus Professor Bruce Dorries to raise local environmental awareness or planning for a future in sustainable urban landscaping, Smith applies the same discipline to his studies as he does to his sports and leadership.
Looking Ahead
As Smith looks toward his senior year, his ambitions remain high. He plans to pursue graduate school and has his sights set on running for the national SAAC chair position.
Regardless of the title, Smith’s legacy at MBU is already taking root — one of service, academic excellence, and a relentless drive to elevate his fellow Fighting Squirrels.