
Prior to arriving in Tuscaloosa, Adam served as Assistant Vice President for Student Success at The University of Akron where he successfully developed advising and retention strategies. Mr. Smith’s efforts have led to increased retention and graduation rates among diverse student populations. Prior to his time in Akron, Adam served as Director of Education and Life-Long Learning for Mayor Lawrence J. Morrissey in Rockford Illinois, as Director of College Activities and Outreach at Rock Valley College (IL) and founded successful TRiO Programs and community-based organizations in Illinois and Wisconsin. Mr. Smith coached college football for six years and served as adjunct faculty at Judson University (IL) teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in Human Services, Human Resources and Organizational Leadership.
Among all of his professional experiences, Adam credits his time as a Community Organizer in the inaugural cohort of AmeriCorps national service as the foundation of his worldview. Adam possesses a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from Concordia University-Wisconsin, a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from National-Louis University and has taken classes toward a doctorate at The University of Akron.
Adam and his wife Linda, a life-long educator, have three adult children and one grandson.