MOBILE – The University of South Alabama has selected a seasoned university administrator to fill the position of vice president for student affairs.
Dr. John William Smith will assume the position in February when Dr. Dale Adams retires after more than 18 years of service to the University.
Smith has extensive university administrative experience, including service as interim president, vice president for financial and administrative services, vice president for student affairs, dean of students and director of residence life.
“There is no more important purpose of the University of South Alabama than meeting the needs of our individual students, inside and outside of the classroom,” said USA President Gordon Moulton. |
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“Dr. Smith brings a wealth of experience in leading student life programs and we are optimistic he will build on the solid foundation that Dr. Dale Adams leaves behind in his retirement.
“I am excited to be joining the administrative team at the University of South Alabama and look forward to working with the faculty, staff, and students to build upon the foundation laid by Dr. Adams,” Smith said. “South Alabama is an outstanding university and it is a privilege for me to become a part of the community.”
Smith is currently an associate professor in the College of Education and program coordinator for college student personnel services and administration at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Arkansas. From 2002-2004, he served as the university’s executive vice president, where he oversaw the financial and administrative areas of the school and was responsible for the day-to-day operations in the absence of the president. In 2001-2002, he served as interim president of the school, which has an enrollment of 9,000 students.
Before serving as interim president, Smith held the position of vice president for financial and administrative services, responsible for athletics, the bookstore, computing services, financial services, housing, food services, human resources, police department, physical plant and purchasing. He also served as dean of students, overseeing housing, student activities, student center, Greek affairs, student organizations, student health services, orientation, disciplinary system, international programs, university studies and cheerleaders.
Prior to his many leadership roles at the University of Central Arkansas, Smith served as assistant director of housing at Mississippi State University in Starkville, Miss., and as director of residence life at Berry College in Mt. Berry, Ga.
Smith earned his bachelor of science degree in physical education from Berry College and a master of education degree in guidance and counseling from West Georgia College in Carrollton, Ga. He holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Mississippi State.
Active in community service, Smith served for seven years, including a year as chairman, on the board of directors for Conway Corporation, a city owned utility. He is a member of the board of directors for Conway Christian School and a member of the Conway Rotary Club. He also served on the Planning Commission for the City of Conway and as a member of the Downtown Overlay District Committee.
Professional associations include the Arkansas College Personnel Association, of which he served on the board of directors; Southwest Association of College and University Housing Officers, and the Southern Association of College Student Affairs.
He was named the Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary in 2002, and awarded the Rotary Vocational Service Award for Education in 2003. That same year he was also included in the Arkansas Boys State Hall of Fame.
The Division of Student Affairs at USA has, as its primary mission, the provision of services and programs to enhance student development. These include the development of an environment that assists students in successful transition to college and builds a sense of community; the creation of opportunities for students to expand aesthetic and cultural appreciations, develop autonomy, improve leadership skills, become skilled in interpersonal communications, achieve career aspirations, establish a healthy lifestyle, and an understanding and appreciation of ethnic, age and gender differences. The division also provides economic services to address the needs of students and develops linkage between the curricular and co-curricular activities of the university. The vice president for student affairs directly oversees the dean of students, campus recreation, housing and residence life, the campus police department, parking services, and auxiliary enterprises.
Founded in 1963, the University of South Alabama is one of Alabama’s fastest growing universities, with enrollment topping 14,000 this fall. USA has awarded some 60,000 degrees.
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