Dimitra J. Smith

Dimitra J. Smith, Ph.D., is a tenured Professor and Head of the Department of Higher Education and Learning Technologies in the College of Education and Human Services at East Texas A&M University. She has served as department head since 2020 and as a full Professor since 2022, with prior academic appointments at Texas Tech University and Iowa State University.

Education:

• Certificate in Effective College Instruction, American Council on Education, 2020
• Advanced Online Teaching Certificate, Online Learning Consortium, 2016
• Ph.D. in Higher Education, Iowa State University, 2010
• M.Ed. in Higher Education/Student Affairs, Iowa State University, 2005
• B.S. in Psychology, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, 2003

Her research examines STEM education pathways with emphasis on African American women in STEM at HBCUs, transfer student success in community colleges, and intersectional dynamics of cultural/social capital. She investigates microaggressions against Black faculty, community engagement strategies, and virtual learning frameworks developed during the pandemic. Her work bridges theory and practice through children's STEM literature and national virtual presentations.

Publications from 2015-2017 reveal consistent focus on transfer student capital, STEM workforce development through community colleges, and racial/gender equity in higher education. Key trends include policy implications for CTE programs, socialization factors in STEM retention, and innovative approaches to supporting underrepresented groups through summer research initiatives and institutional partnerships.

Scientific Awards:

• Alonzo Sosa Innovation in Teaching Award (2022)
• Who's Who in Higher Education (2020)
• Hemphill-Wells New Professor Excellence Award (2013)
• Texas Tech University Reader's Choice Best Professor (2013)
• Iowa State STATEment Makers Award (2012)
• Council for Study of Community Colleges Dissertation Award (2011)
• National Institute for Study of Transfer Students Dissertation Honorable Mention (2010)

Dr. Smith has chaired committees for over 50 doctoral graduates while mentoring through the Higher Education Student Association. She co-founded virtual pandemic learning initiatives reaching 11,400+ educators/parents and authored two bilingual children's STEM books. As department head, she leads curriculum innovation in learning technologies and serves on committees for NASPA, ASHE, and transfer student research consortia.