Biography

Dr. Michele D. Smith serves as the Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, as well as serving as an Associate Professor within the Educational Leadership, Policy and Foundations Division at the University of Missouri-Kansas City's School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences. Dr. Smith fulfills a crucial role in shaping the student experience in a university setting and in providing a comprehensive understanding of university life to the students, faculty and staff at UMKC. The Student Affairs office serves as a key advocate for students, helping to ensure that their needs and concerns are heard and addressed at the highest levels of the university. Staff often mediate between students and the administration, facilitating communication and conflict resolution. They work to promote student retention and success, often by overseeing initiatives and programs aimed at enhancing academic achievement and student engagement.Their responsibilities are diverse and span across several areas of student life. These areas are managed by a talented, “student-centered” group of student affairs professionals who always put “students first.”

Dr. Smith's research primarily focuses on the social, cultural and political dimensions of higher education, with an emphasis on the intersection of race and gender. While her studies cover a broad range of issues, she has a particular interest in the intersecting identities of race and gender as they pertain to African American women within the higher education sphere. She further delves into the nuances of mentoring faculty of color, with a special emphasis on women in higher education.

Additionally, her research explores how the intersection of race and gender influences the academic performance of African American males, particularly in sports such as football and basketball. She investigates the necessary support structures and academic services required to assist students of color in achieving success in the higher education environment.

Her research and work are driven, rooted and shaped by a commitment to social justice and cultural consciousness. Her most recent scholarly pursuits investigate the social, cultural and political facets of predominantly or historically white institutions that marginalize faculty of color. In examining the experiences of African American women at these institutions, she has also proposed strategies that the institutions can implement to reverse these trends.