Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion/Chief Diversity Officer at Augustana College
About
Monica M. Smith, DSW is an administrator, educator, and practitioner. She currently serves as the vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion/chief diversity officer at Augustana College (Illinois). In this role, she coordinates implementation of the college’s strategic initiatives, including guidance on recruitment, retention, hiring policies, practices, curriculum development and inclusive instructional practices, professional development of faculty and staff, and oversees the offices for International Student Life and Student Inclusion and Diversity.
Dr. Smith has more than 20 years of direct social work practice and supervisory experience in child welfare, family services and mental health agencies. She has been a consultant to school districts, non-profit, government, and professional organizations needing to improve practices specific to diverse populations. This work included climate assessments, program design and evaluation, and professional development workshops.
Dr. Smith earned a bachelor of social work at Eastern University, a master of social work and doctorate in clinical social work at the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice. In June 2017, Dr. Smith earned a certificate of achievement at the Standards for Professional Practice Institute of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE). NADOHE is the preeminent voice for diversity officers in higher education.
Current Work:
Her central area of scholarship is pedagogical frameworks for teaching cultural competence. Smith’s dissertation, A pilot study of cross-cultural immersion as a pedagogical framework for teaching cultural competence, measured the effectiveness of pedagogical strategies in teaching cross-cultural awareness, knowledge, and skill development. Additional interests include international social work, advocacy and social justice.
Research Area Keyword(s):
Cultural competence, cross cultural immersion, pedagogy, social work theory, social work practice
