Former University of Akron goalkeeper Michelle Smith begins her first season as women's soccer director of operations in 2011. Smith will be in charge of handling the day-to-day logistics of Akron women's soccer.

Smith steps into her new role after spending the past two seasons as one of Chris Pfau's netminders, starting the final six games of the 2010 season and leading her squad to a 4-1-1 mark while recording two clean sheets. Smith finished the 2011 season with 34 saves in 10 games and a goals against average of 0.94 - the lowest season GAA ever recorded by an Akron goalkeeper.

Smith began her collegiate career at Austin Peay, where she made 17 starts and 18 total appearances as a sophomore in 2007. She finished her collegiate career with a combined record of 14-12-1 between her time at APSU and UA.

A native of Las Vegas, Smith completed her master's degree in political science in the spring of 2011.