Professor Smith joined the CSULB Foundation in 1997 as a community development specialist for the Juvenile Crime Prevention Program. Her previous experience included community organizing, community development, and program administration in the substance abuse field. She served as a community practitioner consultant for organizations such as United Way/Rebuild Los Angeles, the Department of Children and Family Services, Los Angeles County Children’s Planning Council, and the Inter-Agency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect. Professor Smith became a CalSWEC consultant in the Department of Social Work in 1998, and then became a full-time lecturer in the Department in 2001. In addition to teaching two undergraduate courses per semester, Professor Smith coordinates admissions for the undergraduate and graduate programs. Her areas of interest are in community development, university-community partnerships, educational leadership, and student academic development.