Photo by Gary Gold

To many students, Dean of Students Mark Smith is their connection to Rensselaer and success.

With the mission to ensure that every Rensselaer student graduates, Smith has made his top priority to create an environment that eliminates as many obstacles as possible for students to complete their degrees. He also hopes that, along with their diplomas, they’ll take with them positive memories of Rensselaer.

That mission requires Smith to wear many hats. He serves as counselor, problem solver, miracle worker, financial-aid officer, grant writer, and friend—to name just a few.

“Mark Smith is the quintessential student-focused administrator. Anyone who has worked with Mark or even just had the pleasure to talk with him knows he is sincere and compassionate and truly cares about students,” says Gil Valadez ’02, who served as the 2001-2002 Grand Marshal. “I have personally seen him give up evenings on a weekly basis to work with students.”

In addition to his role as student supporter, Smith also is the chief disciplinary figure on campus.

“Rensselaer’s goal is to graduate students with a positive educational experience and some loyalty to the university,” he says. “To accomplish this, we have to address myriad issues that pertain to the college transition, financial difficulties, and behavior not consistent with the mission of an academic institution—whatever the problem is at hand. Each case is different. No two students are the same. My job is never boring.”

Smith, who has served in higher education for more than 20 years, was appointed dean of students in February. He joined Rensselaer in 1986 as assistant dean of students and director of academic support programs. In 1995, he was named director of the Office of Minority Student Affairs (OMSA) after a nationwide search.

Since then, Smith has established many corporate and professional contacts for students seeking internships, co-ops, and job placement. He has been at the forefront of Rensselaer’s curriculum development for pre-college and pipeline initiatives to attract talented high school students to Rensselaer.

Smith received a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University. He earned his master’s degree at the University at Albany and became certified as a biology and chemistry teacher. He earned a certificate of advanced study in educational administration and supervision at SUNY Cortland.

As the dean of students, Smith oversees OMSA, International Services for Students and Scholars, Greek Life, Judicial Affairs, and Disabled Student Services.

In addition to counseling up to a dozen students a day in one-on-one sessions, Smith also meets regularly with various student groups and clubs across campus. He’s known to show up at cultural events long after typical work hours are over.

“I have stayed at Rensselaer for more than 15 years because of the opportunities to learn, to teach, and to change lives of those who become so important to our future—young men and women who cross Rensselaer’s threshold,” Smith says. “Most of them are Rensselaer students, undergraduate and graduate. Some are high schoolers, and the rest are parents, teachers, or community members who have an interest in keeping the pipeline open and flowing freely into and out from Rensselaer. This is the joy and excitement that Rensselaer holds now and for the future.”