Director of Veteran Services Texas A&M University System and TAMU,
Colonel U.S.M.C (Retired)
Col. Smith is the Director of Veteran Services for the Texas A&M University System and the Director of the Veteran Resource & Support Center (VRSC) at Texas A&M University. At the Texas A&M University System level, he provides direction, mentorship, and support to the eleven universities that make up the A&M system. The VRSC supports Texas A&M’s Division of Student Affairs vision of preeminence by identifying, developing, and providing uniquely tailored services that enhance academic success and holistic development among Veterans & Military-Affiliated students. This includes Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, Military Families, and Survivors. The VRSC facilitates the Aggie Veteran & Military-Affiliated transitions by integrating the Aggie Core Values with the foundational VRSC philosophy of Serve Well Those Who Have Served.
Colonel Smith graduated from Texas A&M and was commissioned in December 1982. In addition to his two combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, his 30 year US Marine Corps career included formal higher education assignments to include: Assistant Professor of Naval Science, Naval ROTC Unit, Houston Consortium (Rice University and Prairie View A&M University); Warfighting Instructor at the Marine Corps Command and Staff College; Seminar Instructor, U.S. Marine Corps Command & Staff College Distance Education Program; and Professor of Naval Science at Texas A&M University. After retiring from the US Marine Corps in 2012, Colonel Smith became the first Director of the newly established TAMU Veteran Resource & Support Center. His recent Academic and Civilian Awards include the Texas A&M University Excellence in Teaching Award (2011), the Congressional Veteran’s Commendation Awarded by Congressman Bill Flores (2014), and the TAMU John J. Koldus III Faculty & Staff Achievement Award (2015). On August 1st, 2018, Col. Smith also assumed the duties as the Director of the Office of Veteran Services for the Texas A&M University System.
Col. Smith’s academic credentials include a B.A. from Texas A&M University, an M.A. in International Studies from Troy State, an M.S. in Military Studies from the USMC Command & Staff College, and an M.S. in Strategic Studies from The National War College.
