Stephanie Smith, BS

Admissions Counselor

Education:
BS, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Business/Marketing, 1995
Grew Up In:
San Diego, California
In Wilderness Therapy Since:
2008
Specialties at Open Sky:
Admissions, Family Counseling

Stephanie was born in Germany and raised all over the country due to her her father’s Air Force employment. She attended the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and received an undergraduate degree in business and marketing.  Stephanie went on to work in the corporate world in sales, marketing, and management for over ten years, all the while volunteering with organizations that served at risk youth in the outdoors.

When she lost her father in March of 2006 to cancer, it was a harsh reminder of how short life is and how little time we all have to live the life we want. She became a field guide, fell in love with the work, and has never looked back. During her time as a guide, she participated in many graduations and felt called to work more closely with the family system as a whole. Stephanie left the field after a year and half as a senior guide and joined the admissions team to work with families.

Through her own experiences, she understands the power of the wilderness and its impact. She uses her personal understanding and experience as a field guide to counsel families and students as they consider Open Sky. She is known for her soothing and understanding manner, compassion and kindness, warm sense of humor, and her contagious laughter.

When Stephanie is not working, she can be found summiting mountains for charity, swinging on the trapeze, parasailing, paragliding, and maintaining her wellness practices through backpacking, yoga and meditation.  She relishes being a daughter, sister, and aunt and loves to spend time with her family.