Kimberly White-Smith

Dr. Kimberly White-Smith is a Professor and Dean of the School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES) at the University of San Diego. She holds an EdD from the University of Southern California, an MA from Columbia University, and a BA from the University of California, Berkeley. Her work focuses on fostering academic justice for marginalized student groups through equitable policies and practices, with expertise in urban education, teacher development, and leadership.

Her research addresses systemic barriers faced by Black, Indigenous, Queer, Latinx, and neurodivergent students. Key areas include inclusive pedagogy, school leadership, and dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline. She co-authored influential works like School Effectiveness in US Amid Crisis and Through the Fire, which explore transformative educational practices.

Dr. White-Smith leads national initiatives through roles such as Commissioner of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, President-elect of AILACTE, and Vice-president of CCTE. She also contributes to WestEd, a $167M non-profit advancing education equity. Her career bridges academia and community action, advocating for equitable access to quality education.