As a prolific author, she has contributed numerous book chapters and articles on such topics as equity and diversity in higher education, retention, and mentoring.
WEST SAINT PAUL, MN, November 17, 2022 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Buffy Smith, PhD, has been inducted into 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.
Affiliated with the University of Saint Thomas since 2004, Dr. Smith has distinguished herself as a leader in academia. Originally hired as an assistant professor in the department of sociology and criminal justice, she continually progressed through the ranks, becoming a full professor in 2016. Dr. Smith served as department chair of sociology and criminal justice before being appointed as the founding associate dean of academics at Dougherty Family College in 2016. Dr. Smith's research provided the framework that shaped the innovative educational model of Dougherty Family College which has led to impressive educational attainment outcomes. Dr. Smith was appointed the interim dean in 2020. In 2022, after a national search, Dr. Smith was hired as the dean and Frey endowed chair of the Dougherty Family College.
Dougherty Family College at the University of St. Thomas provides scholars from underserved communities the opportunity to earn an affordable associate degree with a seamless pathway to a bachelor's degree. Also, part of the educational model provides a unique emphasis on vocational exploration and preparation. The ultimate goal at Dougherty Family College is to eliminate the educational and wealth gap between communities of privilege and underserved communities.
As the dean, Dr. Smith is responsible for the overall administrative operations of the college, including the curriculum, fundraising, community engagement, enrollment, and retention. Based on her expertise, Dr. Smith established a professional mentor program and an alumni mentor program at Dougherty Family College. Looking toward the future, she is determined to grow the Dougherty Family College and produce as many graduates as possible.
As a seasoned researcher, Dr. Smith has focused on racial and class disparities throughout the higher education system, as well as how to improve academic and social support services for scholars from communities that are under-resourced. As a prolific author, she has contributed numerous book chapters and articles on such topics as equity and diversity in higher education, retention, and mentoring. Dr. Smith served as a reviewer for several peer-reviewed journals, including the American Sociological Review, and, in 2013, released her first book, titled "Mentoring At-Risk Students through the Hidden Curriculum of Higher Education," via Lexington Books, Rowman & Littlefield. In addition to her research and writing contributions, Dr. Smith is a national speaker providing her expertise at colleges and universities, presenting in front of legislative bodies and policy makers, and other youth-serving organizations.
Leading various community-wide initiatives, Dr. Smith is presently a board member for the Westminster Forum Town Hall in Minneapolis and for the think2perform Research Institute. She also serves on the advisory board for the Susan S. Morrison School of Nursing at the University of Saint Thomas. Furthermore, Dr. Smith has been active on the advisory board for the Rêve Academy since 2018.
Dr. Smith garnered a Bachelor of Arts in sociology with a minor in theology at Marquette University. Dr. Smith subsequently received a Master of Science in sociology and a Doctor of Philosophy in sociology with a minor in African American studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Involved with several higher education related organizations, Dr. Smith is a member of the Association for the Study of Higher Education and the Association of Black Sociologists. Dr. Smith is also affiliated with Pi Gamma Mu Honor Society, Delta Epsilon Sigma, and Alpha Kappa Delta International Honor Society.
In addition to securing several grants to support her research, Dr. Smith received awards and recognitions for her numerous contributions advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education. Among them, she was honored with a First Place Award for her paper on educational problems from the Society for the Study of Social Problems in 2004, a Diversity Leadership Teaching/Research Award from the Office of Institutional Diversity at the University of Saint Thomas in 2007-2008, and a Diversity Milestone Award from Student Diversity and Inclusion Services at the University of Saint Thomas in 2019. Moreover, Dr. Smith has been highlighted in local and national publications such as Diverse: Issues in Higher Education for her tireless efforts in academia.
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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