“Since first-year undecided students comprise a growing percentage of matriculating college students, providing quality academic advising with the intent of facilitating their academic success, hence their persistence rates, has important implications for colleges and universities.”
Dr. Kimberly S. Smith entered the field of higher education administration in 1996. In 1999, she joined Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University as an administrator where she serves as the Director of the University Academic Advising Center. Dr. Smith’s primary responsibility in this position involves serving as the academic dean for the University Studies department which is the academic “home” for students who are undecided about a major or want to explore a variety of degree programs before selecting a major.
In addition, Dr. Smith has been appointed to serve as the Director of Undergraduate Academic Advising where she provides leadership and coordination for university-wide programs and initiatives related to enhancing academic advising. She is responsible for developing, implementing, monitoring, and assessing academic advising activities throughout the university community through administrative collaborations with the academic colleges, the University Academic Advising Center, and various other university stakeholders in support of undergraduate education. She has also served as the university's interim associate vice provost for academic support services where she provided university leadership for institutional support programs and services for students.
Dr. Smith has presented at the local, state, and national level at various professional conferences on topics related to assessment of advising, advising undecided students, utilization of technology in advising, developing an effective advising program for orientation, and changing an institution’s advising culture. She is the co-author of a chapter entitled “Applying Quality Educational Principles to Academic Advising.”
