Connie Chic Smith

Connie Chic Smith is an Advising Dean and Assistant Professor at the University of Virginia, with a focus on communication studies, rhetoric, and socio-political discourse. She combines her academic expertise with practical experience in Washington, DC politics and federal agencies.

• Education: B.A. (Albertus Magnus College), M.A. (Georgetown University), Ph.D. (Howard University)

Her research examines the use of African American English Vernacular in mainstream discourse and explores cultural dynamics in communication. She teaches courses on rhetoric, emphasizing critical analysis of socio-political and cultural messages.

Smith co-founded the Urban Think Tank Institute, the first hip hop-focused think tank, and is affiliated with professional organizations including the National Communication Association, American Popular Culture Association, and Rhetorical Society of America.