President's Bio

President Kate Smith, Ed.D.

Kate Smith, Ed.D., serves as Rio Salado College’s sixth president. She is a deeply passionate educational leader, who advocates for student success on all levels — and has a long track record of responding to student and community needs through innovative ideas, programs, and partnerships. With more than 30 years of experience in education, Smith understands the barriers non-traditional students face and is dedicated to making education affordable, accessible, and equitable for all.

Smith decided to devote her career to education with one mission in mind — to empower others.

“As the president of Rio Salado College, I am eager to transform education — to meet the needs of today’s learners.”

Partnerships, workforce development, and culture building are cornerstones of Rio Salado College’s history and President Smith’s administration. She is continuing the tradition of collaborating with students, alumni, employees, other institutions, industry, and thought leaders to improve post-secondary learning and economic prosperity for all.

Toward that end, President Smith also works with her Advisory Council, which is composed of community leaders, students and other stakeholders, to provide her administration with diverse perspectives, expert advice and assistance related to the college’s strategic priorities, new opportunities, and external community matters.

President Smith also regularly serves on community advisory boards and think tanks. Her most recent roles include the American Council on Education (ACE) board; co-chair of the education committee for the Arizona-Mexico Commission; Governing Board Vice Chair of the Presidents Forum; Higher Education Research and Development Institute (HERDI) Advisory Board; Alliance for Innovation & Transformation (AFIT) Executive Committee; PHX East Valley Partnership Board of Directors; Arizona Women in Higher Education; Packback Advisory Board; Community College Workforce Pell Advisory Board; and Board of Directors Ex Officio member for the Friends of Public Radio Arizona and Tempe Chamber of Commerce.

Smith has served as Rio Salado’s president since 2018. She served 3 years as interim president and accepted the permanent role in 2021. She began her career at Rio Salado in 2016 as the vice president of academic affairs and chief academic officer. Prior to her tenure at Rio Salado, Smith served as the dean of the academic foundations division at Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York. She also served Monroe as an instructor, professor and administrator. Prior to her work at Monroe, she taught high school mathematics and served as a consultant to Hobart and William Smith Colleges and local companies on college and career mathematics readiness.

Smith holds a doctorate degree in community college leadership from Ferris State University, a master’s degree in mathematical education from the University of Rochester, a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and German from William Smith College and was a 2020-21 Aspen Rising Presidents Fellow.

In recognition for her most recent achievements as a community leader, Smith received PTK’s Paragon Award for New Presidents in 2021, Arizona Women in Higher Education’s Woman of the Year Award in 2023, and PTK’s Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction in 2024. She was recognized by Women We Admire as a Top 50 Women Leaders in Education (2025-26) and Top 50 Women Leaders of Phoenix (2024 and 2026), and received the Terry O’Banion Provocateur Award from the League for Innovation in the Community College in 2026. Under Smith’s leadership, Rio Salado has earned many awards and recognitions.

Smith is also passionate about learning, mathematics, being an active member of her community, and philanthropic work. She and her husband Dennis enjoy spending time with family, running, biking, marathons, and hiking Arizona’s trails.

Media Engagement Highlights

Was this information helpful?