Fellow:Rachel N. Smith

Rachel N. Smith is a University Innovation Fellow and an undergraduate student studying Wildlife and Fisheries Science with a concentration in wildlife at

Rachel in Bunkum Cave.JPG

Tennessee Technological University (TTU). Rachel is from Jamestown, TN, but moved to Oak Ridge in 2016 to attend Roane State Community College. After completing her associate’s degree in biology, she transferred to TTU. After one semester at Tennessee Tech, she heard about University Innovation Fellows and became involved.

Rachel is currently a student worker and a peer mentor for incoming freshmen in the biology department at TTU; she also works part-time as a Seasonal Interpretive Ranger with Tennessee State Parks.

Some of the things Rachel is passionate about wildlife conservation, hiking, and competing in precision air rifle. Since she was a child, Rachel has always been passionate about the outdoors and preserving its natural beauty. She has always enjoyed hiking and doing anything else that allows her to be outdoors. In high school, she was the team captain of the rifle team. Her junior year she qualified to attend the Junior Olympic Tryouts in Anniston, AL. Since graduating high school, she hasn’t competed but plans to start again soon. Her goals for TTU is to expand innovation and entrepreneurship to all students and share her passion for being outdoors by creating an outdoor leadership and team-building skills course.