Story by Kaiya Lynch
Senior Tanner Smith vividly recalls his first day at the University of Missouri.
“I remember sitting in the dorms and was like, ‘What am I supposed to do now?’” Smith said.
A communication and political science double-major with a sociology minor, Smith quickly realized that his next step was undergraduate research. Before coming to Mizzou, Smith was determined to become a lawyer. He wanted to forge his own path – and not necessarily follow in his parents’ footsteps.
“I was dead set that I was not going to go to Mizzou,” Smith said, laughing. Smith’s parents are both Mizzou alumni. “It just seemed too easy.”
But after visiting campus, meeting faculty in the communication and political science departments, and exploring opportunities at the Honors College, Smith changed his mind – a decision he now calls one of the best of his life. One of the key parts of the Honors College that stood out to Smith was the ASH Scholars Program. That program features research teams in the arts, social sciences or humanities disciplines. It was one of Smith’s favorite parts of his Mizzou experience.
“ASH Scholars was probably the most pivotal thing in helping me realize I wanted to go to graduate school, be a professor and get my Ph.D. in communications,” Smith said.
One of Smith’s mentors through the research lab, Chris Josey, played a key role in encouraging Smith to pursue graduate school. Josey is an associate teaching professor of communication and affiliate faculty in the Honors College.
“The professor who probably challenged and taught me the most was Dr. Josey,” Smith reflected. “Being in his ASH lab, being able to then go on and lead his ASH lab … the research that I want to do is very similar to the research he’s done. Being able to have that connection through all four years, thanks in part to ASH Scholars, really helped to set me on a path for success and build that lifelong mentorship of someone who has really positively impacted my college experience.”
One memory Smith said he’ll never forget comes from the many hours spent in the ASH lab, where weekly research meetings often started with an unexpected twist: stories about Josey’s home renovation project.
“Hearing Dr. Josey talk about the construction on his house every week was wildly entertaining,” Smith said. “It really reminded me that research is people and being able to have those personal connections and being able to start every research meeting with a story of like weekly happenings was really entertaining and a lot of fun.”
Over the past four years, Smith has researched media representation and social identity on news sites, colon cancer media coverage, pink slime journalism and intergenerational storytelling among Polish families. His research experiences culminated in a prestigious Fulbright Canada-Mitacs Globalink Research Internship in Winnipeg, where he studied cannabis culture among Canadian “cannamom” bloggers.
Smith’s passion for research wasn’t just academic. He served as an undergraduate research ambassador, helping younger students discover opportunities he believes can change the course of a college career.
“I hope that I’ve helped people realize, like, ‘undergraduate research is a place for me,’” Smith said.
Beyond research, Smith’s impact on campus was broad. He was named Outstanding Senior in Mediated and Political Communication, received top honors at the Department of Communication’s poster presentations, presented the top poster at Show Me Research Week in the Behavioral and Social Sciences category and earned an award for academic distinction. He also completed the Honors Certificate, taking classes like one about Saturday Night Live called “Weekend Update” by Bill Horner, a Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Truman School of Government and Public Affairs and affiliate faculty in the Honors College. The class combined media analysis with creative projects, like producing podcasts about the iconic show – a new experience for Smith that quickly became a highlight of his college career.
“My favorite Honors class was definitely the SNL class with Dr. Horner,” Smith said. “We got to watch episodes, make podcasts and really dive into something I’m passionate about. I was able to explore in very creative ways that I probably wouldn’t have gotten if I wasn’t in the Honors College.”
As graduation approaches, Smith holds tightly to memories of his time in Columbia – from grabbing Bubble Cup three times a week on his walks around campus to cheering at Mizzou football games and visiting CJ’s downtown, a tradition tied to his family’s history.
“Going to CJ’s with friends and family, getting wings and fries – it’s one of the little things that made this place feel like home,” Smith said.
Now a soon-to-be graduate, Smith has advice for incoming Honors students.
“Just try things,” Smith said. “There are so many clubs that you can go to and see what happens. Also, do research. No matter what you’re passionate about, there will be research in the area you want to pursue.”
When asked to title this chapter of his life, Smith admitted he didn’t have an answer.
“I don’t think I’ve got one,” he said with a laugh. “I think I walked into Mizzou feeling a little unsure. Mizzou and the Honors College really helped me gain confidence in what my abilities are and what I want to do in the future.”