Rayville native James Smith accepts vice president's position with University of the Southwest

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Dr. James Smith

HOBBS, NM (08/08/2011)(readMedia)-- Dr. James H. Smith recently accepted the position as Vice President of Academics & Technology and Dean of Faculty at the University of the Southwest in Hobbs, NM. University of the Southwest is a Christ-centered interfaith educational community dedicated to developing men and women for a lifetime of servant leadership by emphasizing individual faith, responsibility, and initiative.

As vice president, Dr. Smith is responsible for the Schools of Arts & Sciences, Business, and Education, Registrar's office, Library, Technology Services, Public Relations & Communications, and the Campus Ministry.

Dr. Smith comes to USW from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, La., where he served as the director of distance learning and the director of the Division of Continuing Education and Workforce Development. Prior to LaTech, Dr. Smith served as assistant and associate professor at Texas Tech University for seven years. Smith also served a year as Faculty Senate President at Texas Tech.

A Louisiana native and 1965 graduate of Rayville High School, Dr. Smith received his bachelors of business administration from Northeast Louisiana University, his masters of education in vocational agriculture education from Louisiana Tech University, and his Ph.D. in agricultural education from Texas A&M University.

His parents, both deceased, were Mr. H. O. Smith and Mrs. Geneva Hardy Smith of Rayville. His sister, deceased, was Mrs. Dorothy Golliher of Rayville.

James is married to Dr. Charlotte Welch Smith, of Darnell, LA and they live in Wolfforth, TX.

He can be contacted via email at jsmith@usw.edu