Randall G. “Randy” Smith was the founder of the Orange County Public Affairs Association and one of the region’s most respected public affairs professionals. He was called by many as the “most influential non-elected official” in Orange County and continually delivered on behalf of his clients. His roots in Orange County were also deep. While attending Santa Ana College, he served as Student Body President in the mid-1960s.

Sadly, Randy passed away in 2003 at the age of 55. But his generous spirit and commitment to education and the profession he loved lives on in the form of the Randall G. Smith Memorial Scholarship at Santa Ana College.

This scholarship is given to a student enrolled in at least 12 units at Santa Ana College, or a Santa Ana College student who is a transferring sophomore with junior status to a four-year college or university in the upcoming fall semester.

Students must have at least a 2.5 GPA. Preference is given to Public Affairs, Political Science, Communications, or Journalism majors who demonstrate a Randy Smith-level of passion for politics, governmental relations and shares his belief in fairness, trust, and strong ethics.

For more information about the scholarship, please contact the Scholarship Coordinator at Santa Ana College, Office of College Advancement at (714) 564-6995.

Scholarship Recipients

Diego Sanchez - 2023 Recipient

Diego is a Political Science Major at Santa Ana College who is Vice President of Alpha Gama Sigma (AGS) and a member of the College’s Promise Program, U-Link, and the Honors Transfer Program.

A resident of Santa Ana who graduated with Honors and was a President’s Scholar Medalist, he wants to become a lawyer.  He hopes to attend UCI in the fall.

Morgan Nguyen - 2023 Recipient

Morgan is a Political Science Major at Santa Ana College who wishes to work in the nonprofit field where she is focused on attempting to become the Director for Litigation for Asian American Advancing Justice so she can assist on immigration issues. She was a member of the College’s Honors Transfer Program, Alpha Gama Sigma (AGS), Phi Theta Kappa, Sigma Kappa Delta, was a President’s Scholar Medalist.

A resident of Westminster, she plans to attend UCLA.

Alissa Herrera - 2023 Recipient

Alissa is a Communications Studies Major at Santa Ana College who is a member of the school’s ROTC program, is active with their Color Guard unit, and wants to become an officer in the United States Air Force.

She is big on public service and hopes to attend UCI in the fall.