Ron H. Smith is the Executive Director of the Karsh STEM Scholars and Humanities and Social Sciences Scholars Programs at Howard University where he has been employed since October 2016. He has worked in higher education since 1981. During this period, he has served in several director roles, two administrative dean positions, and twice as a vice president (1-term was as interim VPSA). His career has taken him to four different higher education institutions and include work in the 2-year and 4-year sectors.
Currently as the Executive Director, he is primarily responsible for continued growth and development of the scholars programs that he created. Chief among his responsibilities in this role is the preparation of the program scholars so that they may become some of the strongest and best prepared applicants for the most competitive graduate and professions schools in the United States and beyond.
Ron is a graduate of the University of Maryland Baltimore County where he earned both his bachelors and master’s degree in Sociology and Instructional System Design respectively. He has also completed all requirements except the dissertation for a doctorate in Urban Education Leadership with an emphasis on policy development.
Ron is married to Dr. Vannesia Morgan-Smith, a healthcare senior administrator and university professor. He is also the proud father of a son and daughter and the very proud grandfather of four, a grandson and three beautiful granddaughters.
He enjoys coaching lacrosse which he has done for 42 years, snow skiing, hiking, public speaking, mentoring young aspirants, performance theatre, music and spending time with diverse groups of people.
Finally, Ron has served on national, regional and local advisory boards, boards of director, performed work as a higher education consultant (financial aid administration), contributed as a presenter at national and regional conferences and delivered keynote speeches. Today, he focuses much of his time and energy on his personal development in terms of kindness and compassion.
