Spotlight on CASL Staff Member Tasha Smith

February 18, 2022

Enjoy the following Q&A with Tasha Smith, biology laboratory manager in the Department of Natural Sciences.

Name:  Tasha Smith
Position:  Biology laboratory manager
Years at UM-Dearborn: 6 years

What does a typical workday look like for you? 

A typical work day for me begins by looking over the class schedule for that day and going into each lab to make sure everything was set up properly for class.  I also check in with each of my students and assign them tasks to be completed for the day; since covid, I spend a lot more time working in the lab with them.  Much of my day includes troubleshooting equipment and helping faculty with problems that may come up in the lab. 

What do you enjoy most about your job? 

I really enjoy interacting with students and learning from them.  Even though many of them look to me for guidance, I learn so much from them.  Even though my official job title is lab manager, there is a lot of mentoring that happens in my office on a daily basis.  

What was your first job?

I was a part of a theater troupe that hired inner city youth from Detroit to perform at different summer camps and schools across metro Detroit about the dangers of drugs.  Super random!

What do you do to relax?

I listen to music constantly and I like building miniature rooms.  I have one on display in my office.

If you could have any one skill or talent that you don’t already have, what would it be?

I wish I knew how to draw.  I love watching people create beautiful art and drawings.

What’s the proudest moment of your life?

Aside from the birth of my 3 boys, the proudest  moment of my life was when I graduated from undergrad.  I’ve had so many doors slammed in my face.  So many people told me it would be impossible to get my degree but I did it.  There is definitely a shortage of black women in my field and that was what motivated me to keep going.  Representation matters. 

If we were to create a UM-Dearborn playlist, what song would you want to include?

"It was a Good Day" by Ice Cube.

What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

I went to a performing arts high school in Detroit for music.

What’s one thing you wish you had known when you were a teenager? 

Life comes in waves. For every valley you find yourself in, a peak is right around the corner so just hold on tight and enjoy the ride.