Dr. Angela Young Smucker brings more than a decade of nonprofit administration experience and over 20 years as a professional performer to her role as Director of Athletics Development at Stetson University. Her experience as a performer gives her a unique understanding of what it takes to pursue excellence under pressure. The discipline, resilience, and teamwork required on stage mirror the qualities she sees every day in Stetson’s student-athletes.
She joined the university’s Development and Alumni Engagement Division in 2023, initially supporting advancement efforts across the institution. In August 2025, she transitioned to focus her efforts on the university’s NCAA Division I teams. Her work in Hatter Athletics centers on building meaningful relationships and creating a shared sense of investment in Stetson’s future to help ensure student-athletes thrive on and off the field.
Before transitioning full-time into development, Angela built a successful career as a classical mezzo-soprano, performing with Grammy Award–winning and –nominated ensembles and appearing on several commercial recordings, including the soundtrack for Steven Spielberg’s
Lincoln with John Williams conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. While maintaining an active performance schedule and pursuing her doctorate, she co-founded Third Coast Baroque in 2016, a Chicago-based early music ensemble praised by the
Chicago Tribune as “Chicago’s most accomplished period instrumentalists and singers.” As Executive Director through 2023, she led the organization’s growth, donor development, and community engagement—experience that directly informs her work at Stetson.
Grounded in a mindset of continuous learning, Angela is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration at Stetson and working toward accreditation as a Certified Fund Raising Executive. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Valparaiso University, a Master of Music from the University of Minnesota, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from Northwestern University. She has also held faculty positions as an adjunct instructor at both Valparaiso and Stetson, where she has taught the course
Career Skills for the Entrepreneurial Musician, reflecting her commitment to helping students build sustainable careers.
Whether in performance, education, or development, Angela has combined strategic thinking with a deep commitment to student success.
If you're an alum, parent, or supporter wondering how to get involved, she welcomes the chance to connect and explore how you can partner with Stetson to make a lasting impact on the lives of our student-athletes.
