Binghamton University Names New Assistant Vice President for Career Programs and Experiential Education
July 11, 2017
BINGHAMTON, NY— The Division of Student Affairs at Binghamton University announces
that Kelli K. Smith, director of University Career Services, will become assistant
vice president for career programs and experiential education effective July 13. In
this unique role, Smith will
provide overall vision and leadership for the Center for Civic Engagement, Fleishman
Center for Career and Professional Development, the Public Speaking Lab, Emerging
Leaders and the SUNY Global Leadership Experience. She will also join the Student
Affairs Leadership Team and focus on developing and promoting student success initiatives
supporting high-impact learning.
Smith joined Binghamton University in June 2014, when she was charged to lead the
new Fleishman Center and transform the career services function for campus. Under
her leadership, the Fleishman Center has seen staffing growth, strengthened collaborations
across campus and has tripled attendance at career programs. This past June, the Fleishman
Center earned international recognition with a top career center award from the National Career Development Association (NCDA). The Fleishman Center has
implemented the unique Career Consultant in Residence model, Career Champions faculty/staff
appreciation program, Connections for Success sophomore professional development and
leadership retreat, Visions Federal Credit Union Financial Wellness program, Washington,
D.C. employer visits for students, and also established the University’s Career Coordinating
Council. Smith regularly writes, presents and consults in the field.
“After completing a search, Kelli’s record of success in career and professional development,
her passion for high-impact learning, and her understanding of the broader issues
surrounding experiential learning and higher education trends make her uniquely qualified
to serve in this role,” said Brian Rose, vice president for student affairs. “Kelli
will lead the division’s important efforts in support of the University’s strategic
priority to provide a transformative learning community that prepares students for
advanced education, careers and purposeful living. Having a strong understanding of
the campus culture, I am confident she will foster even stronger collaborations with
faculty and departments across campus, and build beneficial partnerships in the local
community and nationally to increase opportunities for Binghamton students. I am delighted
she will be undertaking this new role.”
“I am both excited and humbled to be selected for this role,” Smith said. “Every area
of responsibility reflects a passion of mine, and it will be an honor to serve this
exceptional University and students in a new way. The leadership of our campus is
extraordinarily visionary and greatly values student success, and I look forward to
working with more great teams to help facilitate that success in an even bigger way.”
Smith has 24 years of progressive higher education leadership experience and holds
a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Nebraska Wesleyan University, a master’s in
student affairs administration from Indiana University-Bloomington and a PhD in leadership
studies from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She currently serves as Binghamton’s
primary campus representative for the SUNY Applied Learning Council and SUNY Global
Leadership Experience Program. Her relevant publications include the Jossey-Bass/Wiley
sourcebook, Strategic Directions for Career Services Within the University Setting (December, 2014), and the chapter, “Preparing students for after-college life: The
context,” in Stepping Up to Stepping Out: Helping Students Prepare for Life after College (June, 2012). A forthcoming publication is the Jossey-Bass/Wiley sourcebook, Leadership Development for Career Readiness in University Setting (February, 2018).
