Buffy Smith

Dr. Smith’s primary research interests include examining racial and class disparities within the higher education system. She also writes on policy issues dealing with mentoring, access, retention, equity, and diversity in higher education. She has over 10 years of experience researching how colleges and universities can assist underrepresented students with understanding and navigating the institutional culture of higher education in order to achieve academic success.

Dr. Smith has received several awards and grants that recognize her research on diversity issues in higher education. Dr. Smith’s publications have been featured in research and practice oriented journals such as African American Research Perspectives and Equity & Excellence in Education. In addition,she is the author of the book, Mentoring At-Risk Students through the Hidden Curriculum of Higher Education (Lexington Books, 2013). She is the recipient of the 2008 Diversity Leadership Teaching/Research award presented by the UST office of Institutional Diversity.