Smith, whose post at UB was extended in 2017, to a five year contract, was one of three finalists selected to be West Virginia State University’s (WVSU) 12th president.

WVSU’s website reveals that Smith is expected to participate in a meet and greet on the U.S campus on Wednesday, where faculty, staff and students will attend an open forum to learn more about him.

The open forum is two days after UB’s virtual commencement exercise, which is Monday, June 29th.

UB students expressed shock that Smith was a probable president of another university, after seeing a Virginia television news report of Smith in WVSU’s presidential search.

It is not clear if UB’s faculty knows of Smith’s interest elsewhere, but the Bahamian university has not revealed its search for a new president. In fact, Smith’s last speech to UB was June 11th.

One student wrote on a social media post, “When the going gets tough, I’ll (Smith) get going,” while another student reminded him of his promise to produce a physical commencement ceremony in the fall of this year.

The controversial Smith was rehired as UB President in 2014, after a plagiarism scandal, soon after his hire in 2004. After his resignation in 2005, he admitted that he had made “one mistake in the midst of many successes” and it “was not an intentional omission.”

In 2017, Smith was granted a new five year contract, which would expire in 2022.

That year, the Tribune showed that Smith was again embroiled in controversy when UB’s board of trustees hired his wife as a consultant on a $100,000 contract for one year. The board was accused of nepotism as Smith also served on the board.

Smith’s 2014-2017 contract included an annual salary of $180,000, from UB. If Smith receives anything close to what the previous WVSU President Anthony Jenkins had, Smith can have an annual salary of $255,000, with other benefits, including a $1,200 monthly vehicle stipend.

WVSU says it, “seeks a leader who will embrace and foster the rich heritage and identity of West Virginia State University as a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) that has transformed to meet the needs of the community. The next president will demonstrate a commitment to the University’s historical focus on the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, sustainability, civic engagement, and social justice.”

Smith holds a doctorate degree from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education in the area of administration, planning and social policy. He earned a master’s degree in education with a concentration in international development from Harvard University, a master’s degree from Fisk University in clinical/educational psychology, and a bachelor’s in psychology from Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota.

#universityofthebahamas #drrodneysmith #ub #csjreport #westvirginiastateuniversity #blackcolleges #