Kari Smith

Kari Smith is an accomplished higher education professional with extensive experience in academic administration and project management. Currently serving as the Lead Special Projects Administrator for Academic Affairs at Purdue University Fort Wayne since March 2018, Kari has been instrumental in driving campus-wide initiatives that enhance policies, practices, and procedures under the Provost's office. Prior experience includes roles as Associate Registrar, where data analysis and policy development were key responsibilities, and as an Independent Consultant focusing on improving educational services through analytics. Previous positions at Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne and Heartland Community College involved academic advising and registrar functions, along with significant leadership in managing student support services. Kari holds a Master of Science in Education from Illinois State University and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Northern Illinois University.