Business Professor, Alumna Darlene Smith Named UB Executive Vice President and Provost
January 22, 2016
Contact: University Relations
Phone: 410.837.5739
Darlene Brannigan Smith, B.S. '78, MBA '80, professor of marketing in the University of Baltimore's Merrick School of Business and former dean of the school, has been named executive vice president and provost of the University of Baltimore. Smith, who has taught at UB since 2005, began in her new position on Jan. 20.
"Darlene Smith is an outstanding and well-respected leader," said UB President Kurt L. Schmoke. "I look forward to working with her to advance the academic mission of UB."
Smith assumed the position of provost from Joseph Wood, who will continue to teach in the University's Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences.
The provost serves as the institution's chief academic officer and is responsible for guiding the vision and leadership of the University’s academic affairs.
"I look forward to working with my colleagues in order to empower our students’ educational journey," Smith said. "UB's faculty and staff are committed to our students, and our collaborative efforts can only strengthen what it means to attain a degree from this institution. The University of Baltimore has long been my home and it has profoundly influenced me, both personally and professionally. I am thrilled that, in turn, I can help shape the lives of our wonderful students."
Smith served as dean of the Merrick School of Business from 2008-13 after beginning as associate dean and professor. In addition to her teaching and scholarship, she currently serves as co-chair of UB's Middle States Self-Study Steering Committee.
Prior to coming to UB, Smith held faculty appointments and administrative leadership positions at George Washington University and at Loyola University Maryland. She earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Baltimore. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, College Park, where she focused on marketing and public policy. Smith has served as a visiting professor at ESSEC University in France, at Peking University in China and at the Universidad Alberto Hurtado in Chile.
Smith has published numerous journal articles focusing on a broad spectrum of business issues, including consumer protection, market orientation, service quality, performance management and strategic planning.
A graduate of the Harvard Leadership program, Leadership Maryland and the Greater Baltimore's LEADERship program, Smith is active in the community and serves on several nonprofit boards, including those of the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland, Live Baltimore and Network 2000. She was twice recognized as one of Maryland's Top 100 Women by The Daily Record and inducted into its Circle of Excellence in 2013 for making an impact through her leadership, community service and mentoring.
Her corporate consultancy work has included projects for Aegon, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Maryland, McCormick Food, Sheridan Press, the law firm of Whiteford Taylor and Preston, and Bartlett de Mexico. She also holds corporate board positions with FMS Solutions and Unmanned Aerial Systems Safeflight (UAS Flight).
The University of Baltimore is a member of the University System of Maryland and comprises the College of Public Affairs, the Merrick School of Business, the UB School of Law and the Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences.