Former guard Alicia Smith-Tran '10 played in 73 games throughout her Oberlin career, averaging 9.4 points per game during the 2007-08 season while starting all 26 games. Nowadays, she is back on campus in a different role as an assistant professor of sociology. A current resident of Shaker Heights, Ohio, she is also an active member of the Heisman Club. The former sociology major and African-American studies minor can often be found in Philips Gym watching her old squad. Learn more about her post-Oberlin life in this BHM Where Are They Now feature.

What is Your Current Career or Education Path?
After I graduated from Oberlin, I attended Syracuse University and earned my master's degree in Magazine, Newspaper, and Online Journalism. I interned at NBCUniversal in New York City, and then was hired to be a newspaper reporter at the Democrat & Chronicle in Rochester, New York. It was a great experience but I decided I wanted to return to academia and work toward becoming a college professor. I attended Case Western Reserve University from 2012-2018 and earned my PhD in Sociology. I worked as an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth, Texas, from 2018-2021 before returning to Oberlin to join the sociology department here.
 
What Does Black History Month Mean to You Personally?
Black History Month is about centering Black people's voices, celebrating Black culture, applauding Black individuals' accomplishments, and bringing attention to the contributions of Black people throughout history and in contemporary society. A month is not nearly enough time to do this, obviously.
 
Describe Your Experience as a Black-Student-Athlete at Oberlin?
One of the reasons I chose Oberlin was because the women's basketball team always recruited Black players. In high school I was one of the only Black/biracial players on my team, so I wanted to play somewhere where I could be surrounded by athletes with similar experiences and perspectives. My teammates are still some of my best friends today -- basically my sisters.
 
How Did Being A Student-Athlete at Oberlin Prepare You to Succeed in Your Post-Graduate Life?
Being a student-athlete at Oberlin meant wearing many hats and working really hard. We had to be very organized to be sure we got all of our school work done, since practice and traveling to games took a lot of time. But the nice thing about being a student-athlete at Oberlin was we also had the space (and were encouraged) to participate in other activities. I wrote for the Oberlin Review and was a Mellon Mays Undergraduate Research Fellow. I spent a lot of time with my non-athlete friends who lived near me in Third World House and Afrikan Heritage House. Now that I'm in the "real world," I am constantly juggling multiple roles and responsibilities and pushing myself to reach goals I set for myself, both professionally and personally. I find myself in spaces with lots of different types of people -- this is similar to being a student-athlete at Oberlin who finds themselves in multiple social circles on campus. I think my ability to connect with others and thrive professionally is rooted in part from being a student-athlete at Oberlin.
 
What Advice Would You Give to Current Black Student-Athletes at Oberlin?
Aim to be in spaces where you can bring your full, authentic self to what you are doing. Oberlin needs you to bring everything that you are on and off the court/field/etc. Never underestimate yourself or think you are not worthy of being where you are.
 
Other Personal Items of Note?
I met my partner, David, when we were first-year students living in Third World House. We married in 2015 and have two kids. Lucas is 4 years old, and Maya is 8 months old.