Nina Smith

Nina Smith is a Researcher at North Carolina Central University (NCCU), based in the Mary M. Townes Science Building. Her research focuses on the intersection of economic conditions, family dynamics, and child well-being, particularly among low-income and ethnically diverse populations. She examines how poverty, parental work characteristics, and child care choices influence children's cognitive, behavioral, mental, and physical development.

Dr. Smith holds a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro (2012), an MA from NCCU (2008), and a BA from Spelman College (2004). Her work bridges ecological and developmental frameworks, emphasizing pathways linking economic factors to academic readiness and school success. Current projects include the "Educare Learning Networking Addressing Racial Disparities", which targets systemic inequities in early childhood education.

Her research explores parental perceptions of child care, analyzing how economic constraints shape decisions that affect developmental outcomes. Despite no listed awards or grants, her contributions center on policy-relevant insights for vulnerable families.