Caleb Smith

Caleb Smith is a Visiting Assistant Professor of History at Hamilton College, appointed to the faculty in 2025. His office is located in the Kirner-Johnson Building (Room 242), and he can be contacted via phone (315-859-4548) or email.

He holds a Ph.D. in History from Brandeis University, where his dissertation titled Pillaging the Vanguard: Chicago, Neoliberalism, and the Evolution of Black Politics 1965-1994 examined how Black Chicagoans' political alignment shifted toward neoliberalism. He earned his B.A. in Political Science from Beloit College as a Ronald E. McNair Scholar.

Smith's research focuses on 20th- and 21st-century U.S. political history, with emphasis on African American political discourse, neoliberal policy transformations, Black Power movements, voting rights, and multi-racial democracy. His work investigates how urban political shifts—particularly in Chicago—influenced national party dynamics.

Awards & Recognition:

• Huggins-Quarles Award (Organization of American Historians, 2023)

He teaches courses including African American History and Black Metropolis, integrating his expertise in political history and policy analysis. Prior to academia, he served with AmeriCorps in Seattle for two years.