Dean Kimberly A. White-Smith, EdD, comes to USD from the University of La Verne, where she served as professor and dean of the LaFetra College of Education. She currently serves as the independent, higher education sector’s representative to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. She is also vice president of the California Council on Teacher Education and member of the Board of Directors for the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education and WestEd.
“I am excited to join the SOLES and the University of San Diego family,” White-Smith said. “I embrace the vision of supporting students to engage in their research and academics to make informed choices and leverage global perspectives that lead to constructive action in their work, personal lives, and communities. I believe this to be synergistic with my goals as a leader: to recognize the unique gifts and genius of every learner and honor the different ways those gifts manifest. I know our work together will be transformational.”