Smith lectures in Japan

J. David Smith, far right, and his wife, Joyce, far left, toured an historic Buddhist temple in Tokyo along with other conference participants.

J. David Smith, provost and senior vice chancellor at The University of Virginia's College at Wise, recently presented a series of lectures at Saitama University in Tokyo, Japan.

The theme for Smith's lectures was the attitudes and treatment of people with disabilities in the United States and how these views are expressed through public policy. Smith, who has written and lectured extensively on disability, traced the changes that have occurred in the U.S. in this regard during the last fifty years. In addition to graduate students from Saitama University, Smith's audiences included professional psychologists, special education instructors and families of individuals with disabilities.

"It was certainly an honor to be asked to lecture in Japan and I I gained as much from the experience as I gave to it. I was also impressed with the many commonalities between the U.S. and Japan in the social and ethical issues being faced regarding disability, aging and other societal challenges."

Smith's wife, Joyce Smith, a faculty member who supervises student teachers at UVa-Wise, also spoke to classes about elementary education in the Unites States and offered tips on making learning more enjoyable for students.

A member of the UVa-Wise faculty since 2002, Smith is the author of eleven books. His most recent work is In Search of Better Angels: Stories of Disability in the Human Family. The collection of short stories explores the ways in which children and adults with disabilities can enrich the lives of others.

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. His professional experience includes a work as a public school teacher and as a counselor.

Before coming to UVa-Wise as provost, Smith served as dean of the School of Education and Human Services at Longwood University. He also served as chair of the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of South Carolina. He began his higher education career at Lynchburg College.