SC State Selects New VP of Student Affairs
Collegian Staff
Issue date: 7/21/09 Section: News
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The new VP's professional experience ranges from being the assistant professor of Honors Programs and director of Student Special Services, to his most recent position as associate provost and vice president for Student Services at Alabama State University.
"I am excited about the opportunity to come and work with President George Cooper, his administration, faculty, staff and students of South Carolina State University," said Smith.
Smith was chosen from three finalists which included SC State's interim vice president of student affairs Dr. Valerie Fields and Dr. Lathan E. Turner, the assistant vice chancellor for student life and director of Intercultural student affairs at East Carolina University, Greenville, N.C.
During his visit to SC State on July 9, Smith answered questions from small showing of students about issues ranging from accreditation to retention. In response to a question about SC State's warning from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), Smith assured students that he was familiar with SACS requirements, because he was part of a team formulated to prepare for SACS evaluation at one of his previous employs. On the issue of rentention Smith also said that there is a need for Student Affairs to work hand in hand with Academic Affairs. He further commented SC State should accept students that can graduate stating that "we do students a dis-service when we bring in students we cannot retain."
As vice president for Student Affairs, Dr. Smith's responsibilities will include oversight of residential affairs, counseling, health and psychological services, career development, student activities, enrollment management and admissions, financial aid, multi-cultural affairs, campus police, and Sodexho food services.
While management and leadership is an integral part of this position, Dr. Smith must also enable continual improvement of all of the previously mentioned programs. Measurable success is a primary goal.
Dr. Smith's educational background includes an Ed.D.in Higher Education Administration from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Va.; an M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling and a B.S. in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va.
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