Sherwood Smith

Sherwood Smith serves as the Senior Executive Director of Intercultural Excellence and Faculty Engagement at the University of Vermont and is a Lecturer in the Department of Counseling, Human Development and Family Science within the College of Education and Social Services. He joined UVM in 2000 and has taught undergraduate and graduate courses on multicultural education, prejudice development, cross-cultural issues, and white identity development.

Dr. Smith's educational qualifications include:

• Ed.D. in Education from Washington State University
• M.A. in Adult and Community Education from Washington State University
• B.S. in Zoology from Washington State University
• Adult and Community Education with Cognate in Counseling Psychology / Multicultural Issues from Ball State University

His research focuses on multicultural education, the development of prejudice, cross-cultural and intercultural development, white identity, and the intersections of race, ethnicity, and gender in both domestic and international contexts. Dr. Smith's work addresses critical issues in diversity and inclusion, with an emphasis on identity formation and strategies for reducing prejudice in educational settings.

Dr. Smith has received numerous awards for his contributions to diversity and inclusion:

• Teacher’s College Alumni of the Year, Ball State University (2021)
• John D. O’Bryant African American Vision Award, Northeastern University (2021)
• Outstanding Ally Award, Women’s Center, University of Vermont (2014)
• Scholar Practitioner Award, Higher Education and Student Affairs Program, University of Vermont (2013)
• Outstanding Faculty Award, ALANA Student Center, University of Vermont (2009)
• Leadership and Service Award, ALANA Coalition, University of Vermont (2009)
• Peace Corps Franklin H. William Award (2001)
• Ally Achievement Award, LGBTQA Center, University of Vermont (2001)
• Dan and Carole Burack President’s Distinguished Lecture Grant, University of Vermont (awarded multiple times between 2003 and 2012)

As a lecturer, Dr. Smith has mentored students through courses such as HDF 2410 Interrogating Whiteness. His scholarly work has been supported by the Dan and Carole Burack President’s Distinguished Lecture Grant, which funded multiple lecture series on campus from 2003 to 2012.

Dr. Smith leads the Office of the Vice Provost of Intercultural Excellence, directing initiatives to foster inclusive excellence. He also coordinates the Fellows Program at the Winter Institute for Intercultural Communication and has extensive international experience, including Peace Corps service in Tanzania, directing a program in Kenya, and guest speaking in China.