Fatima M. Smith

Mentorship Commitment Preference: Engage in a long-term mentorship (connect with your mentee throughout the semester, outside of LinkUp events — frequency and format are flexible). Available for online mentoring.

Industry: Government

Employer: Chesterfield Circuit Court Clerk's Office

Job Title: Chief Deputy Clerk

Areas Fatima is interested in mentoring: 

• Resume Review
• Internship Guidance
• Work-life Balance
• Networking Strategies
• Interview Preparation

Bio: Currently, Fatima is the Chief Deputy Clerk of Chesterfield Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. She is a graduate of George Mason University (GMU) where she received a Bachelor of Science in Administration of Justice, and founded the Mr. & Miss Black GMU Scholarship Pageant.  Fatima received her Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and was an adjunct faculty member of the Sociology Department and is a School of Social Work adjunct professor and  internship supervisor. She was recognized as a 2016 Richmond Times Dispatch Person of the Year honoree; VCU's Top 10 Under 10; GMU’s Top 50 Exemplar Alumni; GMU Black Alumni Chapter 40 Under Forty; and Style Weekly’s Top 40 under 40. She is a board member of Children Advocacy Centers of Virginia as well as a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Fatima is the founder of Collective 365, a network of community-conscious individuals who want to invest in Black & Brown communities in the DC, MD, VA area through community-based grants. Fatima's greatest honor is being a mother.

If you were starting your career today, what is the one piece of advice you would give yourself? Always apply even if you do not meet all the criteria. Do not be afraid to speak on your accomplishment and aspirations. 

In what ways has your career path been unique or unconventional? I have been in the non profit sector, higher ed, legislative advocacy, legal system, and a business owner. Many of my roles have been through networking.

What career paths have you explored or transitioned between? I have been in the non profit sector, higher ed, legislative advocacy, legal system, and a business owner. 

Affinity Groups involved with at George Mason.

• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (Zeta Omicron Chapter)
• Circle K International
• NPHC, American Cancer Society: Relay for Life
• Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity
• Sexual Assault Peer Educator
• Founder of Mr. & Miss Black GMU Annual Scholarship Pageant
• Order of Omega

Fatima is open to participating in informational interviews