William A. Smith

Dr. William A. Smith serves as Distinguished Professor at the University of Utah across three units: Department of Education, Culture & Society, Ethnic Studies Program (African American Studies division), and Department of Psychiatry. As Chief Executive Administrator for Strategic Initiatives and Mental Health Justice at Huntsman Mental Health Institute, he leads national programs addressing mental health normalization. His career spans 25+ years of academic leadership, with titles including Professor (2018–present), Distinguished Professor (2024–present), and Adjunct Professor in Psychiatry (2023–present).

• PhD in Education (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)
• MS in Counseling Psychology (Eastern Illinois University)
• BA in Psychology (Eastern Illinois University)

Internationally recognized for coining Racial Battle Fatigue (RBF), Smith’s research examines systemic racism’s cumulative impact on physical/mental health through micro/macroaggressions. His interdisciplinary work bridges education, sociology, psychology, psychiatry, and ethnic studies. Key article trends show:

• 2025–2024: Mental health in psychiatric settings
• 2022–2023: Systemic racism in STEM/medicine
• 2018–2020: Graduate student retention challenges
• 2006–2014: CRT analysis of campus climates

Scientific honors include:

• AERA Fellow (2025)
• Top 1% RHSU Edu-Scholar (2023, 2025)
• AERA Scholars of Color Career Contribution Award (2023)
• Stanford University/Elsevier Top 2% Scientist (2022–2024)
• Spencer Foundation Mentor Award
• Derrick Bell Legacy Award

Through 150+ keynote speeches annually and mentorship of graduate/postdoctoral scholars, Smith drives institutional change while maintaining active research grants from organizations like the Spencer Foundation. His work reshapes mental health practices, educational policies, and racial equity frameworks.”