Florida Southern College

Andrea Smith attended Gulf Coast State College and the University of South Florida, earning her bachelor’s degree in Communication in 2013. A former women’s basketball player, Andrea currently serves her hometown community as a Police Officer with the Lakeland Police Department. She was recently recognized as Officer of the Year alongside a close friend and fellow officers for their teamwork and actions during a call that ultimately saved a person’s life—an honor she values for what it represents about service, teamwork and making a difference in her community. Before beginning her law enforcement career, Andrea excelled on the basketball court and was drafted by the Connecticut Sun in the 2013 WNBA Draft, becoming just the second player in USF women’s basketball history to be drafted into the league.