Dasha Smith, Panhandle State Director of Financial Aid

Dasha Smith has been named the Director of Financial Aid at Oklahoma Panhandle State University. She is originally from Keyes, Oklahoma, but has called Guymon home for many years. Smith graduated from Panhandle State in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She is currently in a Master’s Program at Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

As the Director of Financial Aid, Smith will ensure that the financial aid process complies with federal guidelines, packaging the student aid, disbursing, and notifying students according to federal guidance, among other duties.

“I know from experience how important financial aid can be in higher education. It can seem like a giant roadblock in many cases,” Smith stated. “I wanted to be a part of the team at Panhandle State that helps students with this part of college, and then it will be a personal sense of accomplishment.”

Smith brings a wealth of experience, having worked in the Office of the Chief Clerk at the Oklahoma House of Representatives, serving as an administrative specialist for Hitachi Computer Products, and working in payroll at Quality Integrated Services, a pipeline inspection and construction management company.

“I have loved this university ever since I was an undergraduate here, and I wanted to be a part of this university professionally,” said Smith. “I look forward to building great relationships with the students, staff, and faculty.”

Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Theresa Billiot, stated, “Dasha is detail-oriented and a research-driven individual. I am confident that Dasha will help us identify new ways to connect scholarships with boosting our retention efforts.”

Smith commented, “My favorite thing about this college is the people. Everyone is friendly, and there is a familial atmosphere that cannot be replicated in a larger university.”

Smith and her husband have three beautiful children who love outdoor activities like hiking.

Please welcome Dasha Smith to the Panhandle State family as the Director of Financial Aid.