Mount Union graduate Shirley Moore Smeal, Class of 1981, stands in front of Mount Union Area High School, where she began the journey that led to her career in corrections and leadership.
By SAYDE WISE | Journalism Student, Mount Union Area Senior High School
Mount Union, Pa. — Shirley Moore Smeal is a graduate of the Class of 1981 at Mount Union Area High School. She enjoyed her time at Mount Union and went on to accomplish many achievements after graduating. Throughout Moore Smeal’s high school career, she spent her time participating in various clubs. Moore Smeal specifically recalls FBLA and how Mr. Charles Mowery always influenced her. “He really showed me the business side of things and how I could move forward in the future,” she said. Another mentor who guided her throughout high school was Mrs. Carmella Lear. Moore Smeal stated, “She gave me opportunities that I think a lot of students didn’t get. She really encouraged me to do whatever I wanted and truly pursue my dreams.”
After high school, Moore Smeal served in the United States Air Force for two and a half years. She was stationed at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado, where she worked as an air reserve personnel specialist. Moore Smeal then began her career in the corrections department. She started as a clerk typist, then moved to a purchasing agent. Moore Smeal believes that her position as a purchasing agent influenced her interest in business. After that, she started in Albion as the superintendent’s assistant. Her next position was at Camp Hill as a unit manager. As a unit manager, Moore Smeal oversaw a general population inmate unit and a pre-boot camp unit. From there, she went to Central Office as assistant to the executive deputy secretary and deputy secretary for administration. She then went to SCI Muncy, which is a female facility. “I think this really prepared me for higher positions in the department,” Moore Smeal said about her time at Muncy. Shortly after that, she moved to regional deputy secretary, and finally to executive deputy secretary. Although moving around was challenging due to having a son, Moore Smeal’s family was there to support her.
She was executive deputy secretary for nine years, which is the longest position she served in the corrections department. Moore Smeal was the second-ranking administrator behind the secretary of corrections before being appointed acting secretary. In this position, she served as chief operating officer. This meant that Moore Smeal was in charge of 26 correctional facilities, a motivational boot camp, and 14 community correction centers. In addition to that, there were 17,000 staff members and around 50,000 inmates. Moore Smeal was also in charge of the treatment side of corrections and organized accreditations, offices, and programming. “Basically, every area in the department filtered through me somehow,” Moore Smeal explained.
Through her time as executive deputy secretary, Moore Smeal received many awards. One of the most notable awards was the Trailblazer Award, given by the National Organization of Black Women in Law Enforcement. Then-Governor Tom Corbett said, “Her sense of service and humanity have been a gift to the people of Pennsylvania.” Corrections Secretary John Wetzel also added, “The best thing that happened to the Department of Corrections is that Shirley agreed to stay on as executive deputy secretary.” Moore Smeal was highly respected and appreciated during her time in corrections.
After her career in corrections, Moore Smeal went on to start her own business. In 2019, Moore Smeal and Associates was created. Through her company, she is able to provide training and leadership development for local communities. She also offers consulting services to other companies, which is her current focus. “In this role, I provide strategic planning, training, and operational audits of facilities. I also do culture assessments,” Moore Smeal explained. Once she began her business, the traveling did not stop. Moore Smeal works out of her hometown but often visits other states. Moore Smeal says she started her business with a small beginning. “You can really be the foundation for leadership and success. If you are passionate about what you are doing and enjoying it, that is not looked at as work, it is looked at as contributions,” she said. From her time in business clubs at MUAHS to operating her own company today, Moore Smeal’s career shows how the experiences gained in high school can lead to future success.
This article was published as part of Ms. Dimoff’s Journalism class at Mount Union Area Senior High School.
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