Akai C. Smith, Ph.D.

Experience

• 

  Southern University and A&M College- Baton Rouge

  Jul 2012 - Mar 2019

  The Dean of Students served as a member of the leadership team for the Division of Student Affairs and provided leadership in strategic planning, implementation, coordination, and review of Student Affairs programs. The Dean of Students carried out a led role in planning and executing strategic initiatives related to student well-being, conduct, and crisis, student transitions, and academic support and success. The Dean of Students spearheaded setting priorities for related offices and manage specific projects and supervise and manage the following departments within the Division of Student Affairs: Residence Student Rights & Advocacy, Residence Life, New Student Orientation, Parent & family Programs, and Title IX initiatives as well as supervised the Associate Dean of Students, who oversaw Orientation and Transition Programs, and Parent & Family Programs. Show less The Associate Vice Chancellor reported to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management and served on the senior leadership team, and other critical campus committees. The Associate Vice Chancellor provided leadership for the development, implementation, communication and ongoing assessment of comprehensive and strategic enrollment plans. The Associate Vice Chancellor remained knowledgeable about emerging national and international trends; brought vision, innovation, and significant strategic and analytical capacity to the role and developed a sophisticated and nuanced approach to enrollment management. The Associate Vice Chancellor implemented strategies to achieve institutional goals and was a strong manager, leader and collaborator who remained adept to implementing change and forging collaborative partnerships with senior leaders and others across the university. The Associate Vice Chancellor exhibited marketing savvy, political acumen and strong communication skills and remained effectively engaged with a wide array of constituents and constantly articulated the University’s distinctiveness and plans for the future. Show less The Executive Assistant assisted the Vice Chancellor with fiscal operations, including developing managing and tracking an operation budget of approximately $25 million for Admissions, Financial Aid, Dean of Students, New Student Orientation, Student Life, Recreation and Game Room, Counseling, Student Health Services, and Residential Life and Housing. The Executive Assistant tracked budget expenditures and projections to ensure a judicious use of university funds. Serve as an advisor and advocate to students and student organizations providing support and fostering community engagement to students through involvement, leadership and co-curricular learning opportunities. The Executive Assistant worked collaboratively with division leadership to engage in fundraising & development, grant writing, and sponsor activities with alumni, fraternities and sororities, and community agencies to actively pursue alternative revenue sources and instituted quality enhancement measures specific to each department to ensure operational excellence. The Executive Assistant oversaw the development of marketing strategies to increase student engagement with programs and services and assisted with the development of assessment plans and strategic goals to enhance Division operations. The Executive Assistant assisted with developing annual training programs for staff and students to ensure best practices are implemented and responded to emergency and crisis situations as needed. The Executive Assistant also facilitate response to judicial crisis and emergency situations, including Dean of Students, Health Center, Campus Police, Legal Affairs, etc. and rendered oversight to daily operations of the office during the absence of the Vice Chancellor. Show less

  • Dean Of Students

    Jan 2018 - Mar 2019

  • Interim Associate Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management

    Mar 2018 - Jul 2018

  • Executive Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management

    Jul 2012 - Mar 2018
• 

  Southern University and A&M College- Baton Rouge

  Mar 2020 - Dec 2022

  The Director of ADA and Title IX Compliance actively assumed the responsibilities of office compliance supervisor to include but not limited to budgetary management, personnel manners, procurement, facility management, etc. The Director of ADA and Title IX Compliance works closely with student affairs, human resources, academic affairs, athletics, and outside counsel to oversee the University’s compliance and educational efforts with regards to Title IX of the Higher Education Act of 1964 as amended in 1972, the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and as well as other laws and rules related to sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, gender and interpersonal violence, sexual assault, and related policy violations on campus. Show less

  • Adjunct Instructor

    Aug 2018 - Dec 2022

  • Director of ADA and Title IX Compliance

    Mar 2020 - Aug 2021
• 

  Southern University-Board and System

  Aug 2021 - Feb 2023

  Associate Vice Chancellor and System Director of Equity Inclusion and Title IX

  The System Director provides compliance leadership for the offices of ADA, ODS, and Title IX on each prospective campus and be responsible for ensuring the university’s compliance with relevant sexual misconduct and equal opportunity laws, and foster a welcoming, safe, nondiscriminatory, and harassment-free educational, living, and working environment with a primary responsibility for monitoring and advancing the System’s compliance with Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972 and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), and monitoring the development and implementation of system-wide education, training, and outreach related to Title IX, the Clery Act, the Violence Against Women Act, and the Power-Based Violence Act. The SD will also assume the responsibilities of office compliance supervisor to include but not limited to budgetary management, personnel manners, procurement, facility management, etc. The SD works as a liaison for all 5 campuses with the SU System General Counsel’s Office, The Louisiana Board of Regents, and all community stakeholders. Show less