MAPLE VALLEY, WA, October 14, 2019 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Dr. James Smith has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Inspired by other members of his family and friends that have pursued careers in education, Dr. Smith began to seek a similar path after retirement from the corporate world, so that he would be able to fulfill his ultimate dream of giving back to under-served children. Today, he excels as the owner of Diverse Education Evolution. His previous corporate career involved career positions for the Allstate Insurance Company, for which he has served since the late 1960s in such roles as a Territorial Claim Manager, Corporate Field Claim Manager, Division Claim Manager, Senior District Claims Manager, Commercial Claim Manager, an auditor for the Western Zone Audit Staff, a Management Trainee, a Claim Evaluator and a Claim Investigator. During the early years of his professional life, Dr. Smith worked in executive roles with Lucky Food Stores and J.C. Penney as well as an engineering aide for Boeing.
Dr. Smith channels years of additional experience in education to his work with Diverse Education Evolution. Over the years, he has gained valuable experience in the field as an adjunct professor for the City University of Seattle, and both a substitute teacher, Hearing Officer, and an education consultant for Auburn School District. He has also been appointed as an alternate on the Legislative Education Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee representing the Commission on African American Affairs. Throughout his career, he has made a difference in the lives of those less fortunate through his work with the Seattle School District's Race and Equity Superintendent Advisory Committee. Although his career has been filled with highlights, Dr. Smith is especially proud of being selected to participate as part of the committee that developed the administrative rules associated with the Civil Rights Bill HB 3026 regarding discrimination in education and being appointed by the Governor of Washington State as a Commissioner on the Commission on African American Affairs.
As a professional in his field, Dr. Smith attended the University of Washington several years, later earning a Bachelor of Science Degree from the City University in 1976 and a Master of Business Administration from the City University of Seattle in 1978. Subsequently, he pursued postgraduate education obtaining a Doctor of Philosophy from Pacific Western University in 1983. Returning to graduate school after retiring, Dr. Smith earned his teaching credential at Seattle Antioch University in 2003. Dr. Smith retains his professional alignment with a plethora of organizations, including the National Black MBA Association, the Board of Black Education Strategy Roundtable Organization, the Board of the Equity in Education Coalition, the Seattle Alliance of Black School Educators, the Expanded Learning Opportunities Council, the OSPI Data Governance Committee, the University of Washington President's Minority Community Advisory Committee, the Seattle School District's Increasing Academic Achievement for African American Scholars Think Tank, Professional Education Standards Board (PESB) work groups and several other advisory committees.
Devoted to his community, Dr. Smith has been associated with various forums and school boards during his spare time. He has focused on developing strategies that help teachers progress towards meeting cultural competency standards, as well as policies, programs and research recommendations that eliminate and/or minimize testing barriers for candidates, especially bilingual and candidates of color. With a plethora of knowledge at his disposal, he has guest lectured for numerous Midwestern universities and K-12 schools and served as a keynote speaker for various Seattle community organizations. Due to his professional accomplishments, he was presented with a Service Award from the Opportunities Industrialization Centers of America for having served on their Board of Directors in four different major cities, an Ambassador for Peace Recognition from Washington State Ambassadors for Peace Association, Recognition Award for outstanding Community Service by the Seattle Central Area Chamber of Commerce, and a 2007 Member of the Year Award from the Seattle Breakfast Group where he serves as the chairman of the Education Committee and a member of the board. Dr. Smith has also been recognized in the 24th edition of Who's Who in Finance and Industry.
About Marquis Who's Who®
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® now publishes many Who's Who titles, including Who's Who in America®, Who's Who in the World®, Who's Who in American Law®, Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare®, Who's Who in Science and Engineering®, and Who's Who in Asia®. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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