Smith named Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor

Veteran Virginia educator David Smith will become the next Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor of The University of Virginia's College at Wise, Chancellor Steven Kaplan announced Monday

"Dr. Smith's extensive administrative experience has prepared him well for the complex demands of the position of Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor, and his substantial accomplishments as a teacher and scholar make him an ideal person to lead the academic programs of UVa-Wise," Chancellor Kaplan said. "His significant background in the area of K-12 education will also enable him to continue to strengthen the College's support for the region's public schools."

Smith is currently dean of the School of Education and Human Services at Longwood College, a position he has held for five years. He will begin work at UVa-Wise in June 2002. "I am excited about working closely with Chancellor Kaplan, a man of tremendous intellect and energy, to help achieve the impressive goals the College has established," Smith said. "UVa-Wise has the atmosphere of an institution that's on the move."

Smith was selected to become the College's chief academic officer following an extensive national search process. He will fill the vacancy left by the departure of George E. Culbertson, who will retire from his post in March after more than 30 years of service to the College, including a term as interim chancellor.

A native of Roanoke, Smith began his undergraduate education by taking extension courses offered by the University of Virginia. In fact, it was Samuel Crockett, the U.Va. administrator largely responsible for the creation of UVa-Wise, who registered Smith for his first classes. Crockett served for two years as the College's first chief administrative officer following its 1954 opening.

"I feel a strong affinity for the region of the Commonwealth that UVa-Wise serves," Smith said. "The College has a very important place in the development of students in Southwest Virginia and an important place in the community in terms of economic development, support for schools, and support for families. That's an exciting part of the College's mission that I want to be a part of."

Smith earned his bachelor's degree in psychology and his master's degree in rehabilitation counseling and psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University. He completed his graduate education at Columbia University, earning master's and doctoral degrees in special education.

While at Longwood, Smith is credited with leading the transformation of the School of Education and Human Services. He was instrumental in obtaining more than $5 million in grants, in forging stronger partnerships with public schools, and in creating scholarships to attract top students to the teaching profession.

Smith came to Longwood from the University of South Carolina, where he chaired the Department of Educational Psychology. Before moving to South Carolina, Smith was a professor of education and human development at Lynchburg College for 17 years. He has authored or co-authored eleven books in addition to numerous chapters and articles for books and professional journals.

Smith, 56, is married to Joyce Smith, a kindergarten teacher at Prince Edward County Elementary School. The Smiths are the parents of three children: Link, 23, who is employed by Marshall's, Inc. in Harrisonburg; Allison, 21, a fourth-year student at U.Va.; and Sallie, 18, a freshman at Longwood.

Listed among the nation's top ten public liberal arts colleges, The University of Virginia's College at Wise enrolls 1,550 students.