Dean Smith spent his younger years in Mansfield, Ohio. “Compared to today, it was a lot more robust,” remarked Smith. After having “a lot of good teachers” in math and science, he decided that he wanted to go into math and science education. He went on to major in biology at Northwestern University. While an undergraduate student there during the late 60s, he worked at The Southern School, an alternative high school in Chicago’s north side. That experience pushed him to become a teacher even further.

“Back in those days, there was a federal program called The Teacher Corps., and SUNY-Albany had a program, so I came in for two years for a master’s [degree],” said Smith. The time not spent in the classroom was spent working at Schenectady High School.

“It gave a real grounding to what education is about and student development and knowing what goes on prior to a student getting to college,” mentioned Smith.

From there, Smith taught biology and chemistry at Norwich High School in Norwich, NY.

“It was a different environment, but many of the problems that were facing kids in those days [remained the same]. It didn’t matter if it was an urban school or a rural school. Just the faces changed—not so much the problems,” remembered Smith. During the summers, he taught for Upperbound, a federal program for students looking to attend college but without the economic ability. He spent his summer sessions at Binghamton University. While teaching math and science there, he learned of an opening opportunity in their minority affairs office. He continued to teach chemistry and other subjects while involved with the program and took the new position, leaving high school teaching.

“The real challenge is looking for opportunities where something doesn’t necessarily exist and to develop and create it. That’s what I find the most fun: Looking and seeing what is there and what is not there,” stated Smith. After two years at Binghamton, Cazenovia College was starting up a new project to transition their students from two-year to four-year curricula and requested that Smith join them for “a lot of work at the front end.” He smiled and said, “It was also the only summer I haven’t been involved with a summer program ... I got the summer off!”

In June of 1986, Smith joined the Rensselaer family, taking up a position in the Office of Minority Student Affairs to develop summer programs as an assistant dean of students. He remained in OMSA until recently, serving as the director for several years. “Getting the summer programs going and developing the pre-college initiatives, and the grant writing ... no two days were the same. There were possibilities out there to do something,” grinned Smith. In March 2000, he was asked to become the interim dean of students after former Dean Eddie Knowles was named the interim vice president for student life.

“It’s been nonstop. I think it has evolved into a range of different activities. The turning point was the car accident that involved Jessica Fortier and the other students ... the magnitude of the position just increased significantly,” remarked Smith. Since then, he has dealt with an array of situations, including the establishment of first-year experience as its own office and continuing improvements in greek life, as well as international student affairs and student judicial affairs.

“I think most students here are well aware of what it takes to succeed. Acting on that, acting on your intuition, discerning between responsible and irresponsible behavior ... really, being able to rise to another level. That’s what I would encourage you all to do,” is his advice to students. Outside of serving as dean of students, he spends time with his kids, working around the house, and fixing things.