Ami Smith
Vice President for Research & Public Service, West Virginia State University
Ami M. Smith serves as vice president and dean and director of Agricultural Research and Extension at West Virginia State University. She has more than a decade of experience in 1890 Land-Grant Research and Extension Administration including serving as director of the Center for the Advancement of STEM, associate VP for Public Service/director of Extension, and interim associate VP for Research/associate dean for Research at West Virginia State University. Dr. Smith most recently served as the interim VP for Research and Public Service at West Virginia State University prior to transitioning into her current role.
Dr. Smith earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from West Virginia State University and a doctorate in biosciences from the University of Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom. As a trained microbial ecologist, Dr. Smith spent her early career in agricultural research studying thermophilic bacteria associated with anaerobic digesters degrading poultry farm waste. She is a Qualified Administrator for the Intercultural Development Inventory and uses this tool to help Land-Grant professionals. Dr. Smith serves as vice chair of the West Virginia State University Research and Development Corporation Board of Directors and was recently elevated to co-chair of the ESCOP Agriculture Infrastructure Committee. Additionally, she has served as the chair of the Oral and Poster Presentations subcommittee for the ARD biennial symposium since 2017.
Dr. Smith earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from West Virginia State University and a doctorate in biosciences from the University of Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom. As a trained microbial ecologist, Dr. Smith spent her early career in agricultural research studying thermophilic bacteria associated with anaerobic digesters degrading poultry farm waste. She is a Qualified Administrator for the Intercultural Development Inventory and uses this tool to help Land-Grant professionals. Dr. Smith serves as vice chair of the West Virginia State University Research and Development Corporation Board of Directors and was recently elevated to co-chair of the ESCOP Agriculture Infrastructure Committee. Additionally, she has served as the chair of the Oral and Poster Presentations subcommittee for the ARD biennial symposium since 2017.