Dr. Robin Smith is a graduate of the University of Missouri, Columbia with an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis. She also holds a Master of Arts in Educational Technology and a Bachelor of Arts in English. Dr. Smith ‘s public educational service includes Even Start Family Literacy, teaching secondary language arts, and serving as a program coordinator for a regional professional development center. She is an assistant professor for the Department of Leadership, Middle, and Secondary Education at Southeast Missouri State University. She serves undergraduate students in the educational preparation program, preparing pre-service teachers for fulfilling careers as educators. She also serves practicing educators as the program coordinator for the Masters in Arts Secondary: Educational Studies and Educational Technology. Dr. Smith’s professional research agenda includes teacher preparation, retention and attrition; the culture of schools and leadership; and educational best practices in face-to-face and online learning.

Dr. Smith is a first-generation college graduate. She has a servant’s heart and believes community service builds a bond that brings people together, promotes common understandings, provides hope for those who struggle, and opportunities to enrich and improve the communities in which we live together as family, friends, and Missourians. Smith and her husband, Todd, live in Cape Girardeau County. Together they have three adult children, TJ (Stacy), Beau, and Victoria (Mike) and two grandchildren, Trace and Paxson.