Darrin Smith

Associate Dean of Faculty, Research and Administration
Associate Professor

 

Contact Info
913-307-7381
email

 

Darrin Smith, Ph.D., is the associate dean of faculty, research and administration at K-State Olathe. effective June 9.

In this role, Smith oversees the successful implementation of the Next-Gen Strategic Plan for the campus and support the university’s imperatives.  His highest priority is to develop and oversee programming that is relevant to workforce development through innovative approaches to the changing demands of higher education.

He provides leadership in the development, application and assessment of applied and interdisciplinary graduate and undergraduate programs, with particular emphasis on transfer students and students who also are working professionals. 

Smith also focuses on establishing partnerships with community, private and public colleges in the region to further develop a pipeline to K-State's degrees for students living and working in the Greater Kansas City region. Smith, who has a history of leadership in education, helps guide new undergraduate degree completion programs and strengthen community college partnerships. 

Before coming to K-State Olathe, he served as the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Avila University.

Smith was a Ruth L. Kirschstein Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the department of pharmacy and toxicology at the University of Arizona. He holds a Ph.D. in chemistry (analytical) from the University of Arizona and a B.S. in chemistry from Missouri Western State University.

Smith joined K-State Olathe on June 9, 2024.