Dr. Nanette L. Smith is the Executive Director for Institutional Effectiveness Planning at Rhodes State College. As part of this role, she functions as RSC’s institutional Accreditation Liaison Officer for the Higher Learning Commission; providing administrative stewardship of institutional and programmatic accreditation. Her responsibilities also include providing logistical direction, organization and oversight of the College strategic, master, and operational plans; assessment and Shared Governance processes; and engagement with national, regional, state and local agencies to ensure compliance, continuous improvement and institutional effectiveness. Nanette’s 17+ years in higher education has afforded her the privilege to serve in various capacities including Assistant Professor/Director of EHS Technology; Assistant Dean and Acting Dean for the Division of Information/Engineering Technology; and Director of Assessment. She is a leader-manager and scholar-practitioner with a proven record of accomplishment in the areas of curriculum/program development, collaborative partnerships, stakeholder engagement and creation of systems/processes designed for student success and institutional effectiveness. Prior to joining RSC in 2005, Dr. Smith enjoyed a career in chemical manufacturing as a project engineer/environmental specialist with the BP Chemicals.
For almost three decades, as part of the Lima community, Nanette has participated in various professional and community organizations. She is an ambassador/peer mentor for her alma mater, Capella University, a member of the HLC Peer Corps and serves as an independent advisor/consultant to the West Indies School of Theology (Republic of Trinidad and Tobago) providing expertise on matters related to accreditation, assessment, and effectiveness planning. Moreover, she exemplifies servant leadership and is an active member of One Church, Lima where she is an Elder, minister, youth/young adult mentor, and is on the Board of Trustees. A firm believer in lifelong learning through educational, personal and spiritual growth, Nanette always challenges herself in order to challenge those with whom she makes a connection. Believing that leadership is a responsibility and mediocrity is unacceptable, passion is what drives her desire to influence change.
Nanette earned her Ed.D. in Education Leadership and Management from Capella University, a Master of Science in Environmental Management from the University of Findley, and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University.
