Heidi McDonald Smith is the chief of staff at Texas Southern University, one of the nation’s largest historically black universities. In her role as chief of staff, she serves as a member of the president’s cabinet and is responsible for the efficient operation of the president’s office. Her role includes managing the budget, scheduling and operating procedures. She coordinates with cabinet members on virtually any matter of interest to the president, ensuring progress on the university’s top five priorities: student success and completion, academic program quality and research, culture, partnerships and finances.
Prior to joining Texas Southern University, Smith was the executive director of First Year Experience for the Lone Star College System and was responsible for coordinating success efforts such as new student orientation and student success courses, which impacted over 10,000 freshmen. She served for 10 years as a professor of education at Lone Star College Montgomery, teaching courses in teacher education and student success. She was chair of the education department for four years, and under her leadership the Montgomery campus had the highest rate of freshman success outcomes in the Lone Star College System. A passionate advocate of high-quality, early childhood education, Smith owned and operated a child care center in Houston for four years. A New Orleans native, Smith was an elementary school teacher in the New Orleans Public Schools System and an adjunct professor of early childhood education at Delgado Community College.
Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in child development from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, and a Master’s degree in educational administration, planning and social policy from Harvard University Graduate School of Education. Smith is currently pursuing a doctorate in higher education administration from Texas Tech University. Her dissertation topic focuses on women in executive leadership positions at institutions of higher education and their impact on policy and decision making.
Smith is an active participant in the Port City chapter of The Links, Inc. and the Houston chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. She is a member of the Houston Ballet board of trustees. She has served on the executive board of KIPP Houston Schools and the board of directors of Collaborative for Children. She has chaired successful fundraisers for Hermann Park Conservancy, Recipe for Success, and Collaborative for Children. She and her husband, Marcus, have two sons – Parker and Bond.
Heidi McDonald Smith
Chief of Staff
Texas Southern University
3100 Cleburne Street
Houston, TX 77004
713-313-1178
Heidi.Smith@tsu.edu
