Each year, the Eno Future Leaders Development Conference (LDC) gives 20 of the United States' top graduate students in transportation a first-hand look at how U.S. transportation policies are developed, and Jarrell Smith, a Bahamian student at the University of Florida (UofF), will be among those "Eno Fellows" in Washington, DC, for a week of meetings with federal officials and leaders of business and non-profit organizations.
Upon completion of the program, participants are expected to be better equipped to understand the policymaking process which becomes increasingly more important as he/she pursues a career in transportation.
Smith, 25, who is pursuing a master's degree in urban and regional planning, was awarded the Council of University Transportation Centers (CUTC) Eno Leadership Development Conference Award to participate in the 25th annual LDC, June 4-8.
"I'm blown away," said Smith, who was recommended for the award by his research supervisor at UofF.
"My research supervisor brought the opportunity to me, and asked if I was interested, and I said yes, most definitely, mainly because it's a professional development opportunity to network and to generally understanding the policy development process."
To be considered, Smith had to write to the committee about what he expected to gain from the conference and submit his resume. He is one of two UofF students who will be participating.
"One of the key takeaways is to see how the United States transportation policies are debated, shaped, formed and ultimately adopted at Congress. In addition there will also be leaders of associations, government officials, so just getting a firsthand view of the policy development process. And after seeing that, it would somehow just cement my love and passion for transportation policy I hope."
The grad student's fascination for urban and regional planning blossomed after he participated in a six-week career discovery program at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts in the summer of 2015, where he attained a certificate in city/urban, community and regional planning.
"While there, we focused on urban planning initiatives surrounding Massachusetts. After that course, I really knew that urban planning, especially in relation to transportation policy, and transportation planning was something I really wanted to do. I reviewed all of the different colleges that offer the discipline of urban planning and the University of Florida was in the top 15 at the time. And considering that it's relatively close to The Bahamas, with a similar climate, and, for the most part, they would be dealing with similar issues. Climate change, and sea level rise is a huge thing in Florida, and I think it's something The Bahamas should focus on as well. All of those things came together and I said the University of Florida could be a great fit."
Prior to that course, Smith had earned a dual bachelor's degree from Taylor University in environmental science and developmental economics.
Smith, who is expecting to graduate in April, says his ultimate goal is to return to The Bahamas armed with as much knowledge as he can to help the country develop. Before that happens, he intends to get as much experience as possible in a country with developed transportation policies, so that he has more to offer.
"I am eager to further my career in the transportation industry, specifically focusing on transportation policy development and transportation planning. After studying urban and regional

planning for the past two years, I am intrigued by the impact transportation systems have on the environment, the economy, and the overall wellbeing of residents," he said.
"The U.S. is years ahead, in terms of policy development, especially in relation to transportation. And I think just having a good understanding of the ways and processes that representatives within the United States that they go through, that's something that can be copied to some degree upon returning to The Bahamas.
"In terms of returning to The Bahamas, that would be my ultimate goal, but first I want to get as much experience as possible, especially in a country where they've developed those transportation policies, because I feel having that exposure is going to be to a greater advantage instead of me coming back, and not necessarily having that experience, and having more to offer."
The son of James and Lorraine Smith says he's always been an A and B grade student academically. And while he never saw C, D or F grades, he does know what it's like to fail.
Upon graduating from Taylor University in 2015, he was anticipating all the job opportunities that would come his way now that he had his degree. He hadn't given any thought to pursuing a master's degree because of the financial cost. Those job opportunities did not pan out. He was declined everywhere he applied. While he had attained higher education, he felt like he had failed.
"It's failures that really allow you to develop yourself holistically, because you can always succeed. But sometimes just having that failure really brings things into perspective," he said.
"I was thinking about all this work I put into getting this degree, but now what? People weren't interested in hiring me. I said I just have to try and look into something else, and just continue to put my best foot forward, even though I failed in that regard. It really brought me back down to earth and made me realize that you're not always going to succeed in everything you aspire to do, but you just have to have that motivation, that persistence, that consistency in all that you want to succeed in."
Not getting a job was one of the main motivating factors in Smith pursuing his master's. The fact that he was accepted to UofF and his professors at Taylor University encouraged him to take advantage of the opportunity pushed him to enroll in the program. UofF also helped with funding.
With all of that, he said, "I was like why not go for it?"
With weeks to his graduation, Smith does not plan on going after a doctorate degree right now, but he's not ruling it out.
"I want to get as much on-the-job experience as possible, and then who knows what the future would hold?"
His advice to high school students is to get out of their comfort zones and speak with as many people as possible. He said networking can help them succeed.
"As a high-school student, for the most part, you're a bit apprehensive to ask for help. It could also be the fact that you're at that stage of life where you're a teenager and trying to find your identity. But I would say, come out of your comfort zone, because what I've found is that having casual conversations with folks, you would never know what opportunities would come out."
It was because of casual conversation, and randomly speaking with a relative about educational opportunities that Smith was put in contact with Dr. Kathleen Sullivan Sealey, an associate professor at UofF. He was able to participate in his first research assistantship with her in the area of research for small island tourism developmentals and food waste composting at Sandals Emerald Bay, Exuma.
Smith is cited as co-author on an article with Dr. Sullivan Sealey, who is also the founder and president of Recycle Exuma. The article discusses best practices for recycling for small island developing states. The article was published by Elsevier, a publisher of scientific, technical and medical publications.
In October 2016, Smith was one of 26 American Public Transportation (APTF) awardees; he was invited to the association's annual meeting in Los Angeles, California, where he engaged in workshops with industry leaders and participated in educations sessions pertaining to transformative technology, community building, innovative funding and finance, safety, workforce development and worldwide mega projects.
Smith was valedictorian of Nassau Christian Academy's (NCA) 2010 class. At NCA he served as head boy, student vice-president and was a track and field athlete while holding down top grades.

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