USD’s School of Leadership and Education Sciences Welcomes New Dean

The University of San Diego (USD) welcomes Kimberly A. White-Smith, EdD as the new dean of the School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES). She assumed her new role today. SOLES’ nationally-accredited programs span the realms of leadership, teaching and counseling, both at graduate and undergraduate levels.

White-Smith comes to USD from the University of La Verne, where she served as professor and dean of the LaFetra College of Education. She currently serves as the independent, higher education sector’s representative to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. She is also vice president of the California Council on Teacher Education and member of the Board of Directors for the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education and WestEd.

“I am excited to join the SOLES and the University of San Diego family. I embrace the vision of supporting students to engage in their research and academics to make informed choices and leverage global perspectives that lead to constructive action in their work, personal lives, and communities. I believe this to be synergistic with my goals as a leader: to recognize the unique gifts and genius of every learner and honor the different ways those gifts manifest. I know our work together will be transformational,” said Dr. Kimberly White-Smith.

SOLES seeks to make an impact far beyond the classroom. The school has a number of centers, institutes and programs that bring researchers, nonprofits, educators and students together to make an impact on people, communities and the environment.

• SOLES is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. 
• Each year, the school hosts a Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice Excellence Showcase, which has become a space for conversation, connection and collaboration around social justice research and issues. 
• SOLES’ Department of Counseling & Marital and Family Therapy was awarded a $3.2 million Health Resources and Services Administration Grant for Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students to increase diversity amongst future master-level trainees in hopes that they can help underserved communities in Southern California. 
• SOLES, along with USD’s College of Arts and Sciences and the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, run STEAM Academies for San Diego students and teachers throughout the year. The innovative, grant-funded initiative works to bring about greater equity in the field of STEM and to encourage the next generation to pursue STEM careers that address society’s most pressing challenges.
• The Jacobs Institute for Innovation in Education engages in pioneering research and evaluation, development of innovative curriculum and technologies, and supports professional learning grounded in the learning sciences. This includes its teen innovation camp, The ImPactful Teen Innovation Sandbox.
• The Nonprofit Institute provides education, training and research to strengthen organizations that help meet community needs. Some of its research includes the annual Quality of Life Dashboard which measures and benchmarks several environmental and economic trends throughout the region to ensure San Diego County is on a path to greater health, wealth, comfort and sustainability for current and future generations.
• The Catholic Institute for Mental Health Ministry develops, provides and facilitates an effective and responsive network of trained mental health ministry leaders in Dioceses and parishes throughout the United States. 
• The Center for Restorative Justice promotes research, teaching, training, and implementation support for restorative justice. 

“I am confident that Dr. White-Smith is well–positioned to carry forward the distinctive vision of a SOLES education and provide leadership to elevate and advance USD’s mission for academic excellence and comprehensive strategic growth during this exciting time of change,” said Gail F. Baker, PhD, Vice President and Provost at USD.

About the University of San Diego

Strengthened by the Catholic intellectual tradition, we confront humanity’s challenges by fostering peace, working for justice and leading with love. With more than 8,000 students from 75 countries and 44 states, USD is the youngest independent institution on the U.S. News & World Report list of top 100 universities in the United States. USD’s eight academic divisions include the College of Arts and Sciences, the Knauss School of Business, the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, the School of Law, the School of Leadership and Education Sciences, the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, and the Division of Professional and Continuing Education. In 2021, USD was named a “Laudato Si’ University” by the Vatican with a seven-year commitment to address humanity’s urgent challenges by working together to take care of our common home.