Biography
Dimitra J. Smith is a Tenured Associate Professor in Educational Leadership and Learning Technologies at Texas A&M University at Commerce (TAMUC). She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy with an emphasis in Higher Education Administration and Community College Leadership from Iowa State University. She also received her Master’s in Higher Education from Iowa State, and her Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. She also has over 15+ years of experience as an administrator in higher education. Dr. Smith joined the faculty at TAMUC in 2017 as a Tenured Associate Professor. Prior to joining the faculty at TAMUC, she was an Associate Professor at Texas Tech University (TTU) for 6 years. She has graduated over 45+ doctoral students and currently serves as the dissertation advisor, dissertation committee member and masters advisor for numerous students. Dr. Smith also serves on various university and department committees.
Her primary research follows 5 broad strands, that includes: 1) the role of community colleges in student success and workforce preparation; 2) minority-serving institutions and historically underrepresented populations; 3) STEM education, preparation and career exploration; 4) distance/online learning; and 5) 2-year and 4-year institutional and workforce partnerships and collaborations. She is well versed in qualitative research methods and frequently collaborates with colleagues.
Dr. Smith has over 50+ presentations at professional meetings and conferences; over 45+ completed and graduated doctoral students; and over 25+ refereed journal articles and book chapters. Dr. Smith also serves on national editorial boards and reviews manuscripts for several higher education journals.
Dr. Smith is passionate about working with students and engaging in research and service that responds to the needs of students, faculty and administrators of the 21st century.
