From South Hill, Virginia, Lindsey Smiley Dawson enrolled at Southside Virginia Community College after graduating from Park View High School in 2002.  She earned an Associate of Applied Science in Administration of Justice, as well a Career Studies Certificate in Forensics Science from SVCC.  While an SVCC student, she became a member of Phi Theta Kappa and held the position of Vice President of Leadership.

After her studies at SVCC, Lindsey transferred to Longwood University, from where she completed a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice.  Upon graduation, she accepted employment at United Methodist Family Services (UMFS) as a Treatment Foster Care Social Worker.  While continuing to work full-time, Lindsey returned to Longwood, earning a Master of Science in Community and College Counseling, which she completed with a 4.0 grade point average while pregnant with twins...the third generation of twins on her side of the family and the second generation of them on her husband's side.

Lindsey resigned from her then position of Social Work Coordinator at UMFS to become a stay-at-home mother and to further her education.  She re-enrolled at Longwood, taking courses towards becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).  She began her LPC residency and became a Clinical Support Specialist at UMFS, a position that allows her to counsel clients while working on her goal of becoming an LPC, in June 2017.

" For potential students, I encourage you to explore SVCC's educational opportunities and determine how these opportunities could benefit your educational and career goals. SVCC helped me tremendously on my educational and career path, and encourage me to strive to be greater. My professors at SVCC encouraged me to study harder and step outside of my comfort zone. I felt the professors were highly supportive, and prepared me for a four-year university. I also had the opportunity to identify my strengths and weaknesses, and figure out my educational/career path while at SVCC."