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
Ben Colin - 2021 Recipient
Ben is a Political Science, History and Psychology major enrolled in Santa Ana College’s Honors Program. With one year left at Santa Ana College, Ben hopes to secure three different Associate degrees before transferring to a four-year university to earn degrees in Political Science and History.
The Garden Grove resident sees himself as a voice for students with disabilities, serving as a Senator in Santa Ana College’s Associated Student Government as well as through his internship with Community Legal Aid SoCal this past school year. Ultimately, Ben hopes to serve the public through a career in Law Enforcement.
Congratulations Ben!
Isabel Ortega - 2021 Recipient
Isabel is an active Political Science major at Santa Ana College, serving as a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Vice President of Ladies First and an Alternate Representative on the Inter-Club Council. The Santa Ana resident also serves on her city’s Youth Commission and Youth Advisory Committee. Isabel co-founded Civics For Kids with the help of a $5,000 grant from the Dragon Kim Foundation, where she taught 3rd through 8th grade students and their families the importance of civic engagement. She also volunteering over 200 hours assisting six different local election campaigns last fall.
Isabel hopes to attend Yale University, Princeton University or the University of California, Berkeley next year and eventually attend law school and pursue a career in public service.
Way to go Isabel!
