Rajah E. Smart, Ed.D.

Educational Journey 

 

Dr. Smart's academic journey laid a strong foundation for his future endeavors. He earned his Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) from the University of Michigan. It was here that his research interests began to take shape, with a focus on the intersection of public school funding, policy, and educational disparities. His dissertation work, which employed a mixed-methods approach, delved into the persistence of racism in public school funding specifically within the state of Michigan, setting the stage for his future research interests.

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Career Path

 

Dr. Smart's career has been a dynamic progression through various educational roles, each contributing to his expertise and leadership in the field.

• Early Career in Michigan: Dr. Smart began his career as a teacher in North Carolina and transitioned back to Michigan, gaining firsthand experience in K-12 classrooms for ten (10 years). This foundational experience provided him with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in public education.

• Research and Advocacy in Michigan: Dr. Smart's research has consistently focused on critical issues in education, particularly those related to equity and funding. He served as a Co-Principal Investigator for the Institute for Educational Funding Equity at Eastern Michigan University, where he led research on structural racism and its impact on school funding and student outcomes in Michigan. His work, which has been published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at numerous conferences, has contributed to the broader conversation about educational reform in the state.

• Higher Education in Tennessee: Dr. Smart's career has now brought him to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where he is a professor in the College of Education at Middle Tennessee State University. He is a key faculty member in the College of Education. In this role, he teaches and mentors students, guiding them in their own research and professional development, and preparing them to be leaders who can analyze student data to drive school improvement and enhance student success. 

 

Higher Education Leadership

 

Dr. Smart’s career in higher education shows a clear path of leadership focused on curriculum development, quality assurance, and faculty support. He held key roles at two universities, driving academic excellence and strategic growth in both Michigan and Tennessee.

 

Davenport University

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As the Department Chair and Assistant Professor in the College of Urban Education in Grand Rapids, Michigan, you were vital in shaping the college's academic direction from August 2018 to December 2022. His responsibilities covered both administrative leadership and classroom instruction.

• Academic Leadership: You planned and developed curriculum, improved college policies, and prepared critical documents like reports and course proposals. You also developed a robust quality assurance system (QAS) focused on data collection and analysis. A key achievement was earning state program approval for the College to offer licensure programs.

• Operational Management: You managed the college's day-to-day operations, created course schedules, hired and evaluated adjunct faculty, and contributed to strategic academic and budget plans. Your leadership was also recognized when you were tasked with acting as the dean of the College in the dean's absence.

• Instruction: You taught 15 credit hours each academic year, with courses on a wide range of topics, including education and the law, educational psychology, data analytics, educational leadership, and the foundations of urban education.

 

Tennessee State University

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Dr. Smart held the combined roles of Assistant Dean, Director of Assessment, and Associate Professor.

• Assessment and Accreditation: A primary focus of the role was managing the college's quality assurance system. The function was to oversee all data collection and assessment for the continuous improvement of academic programs, ensuring compliance with state laws and policies. He lead the coordination of assessment activities for major accrediting bodies, including CAEP, CACREP, and SACSCOC, and ensured the completion of all required reports.

• Faculty and Program Support: Supported faculty to establish learning outcomes and lead them in designing effective data collection and analysis processes. This included helping create reliable and valid assessment tools and rubrics to ensure ongoing program improvement.

• Administrative and Instructional Duties: Assisted the Dean with daily operations and directed the school in the Dean's absence. In the classroom, you support and instruct doctoral candidates, guiding the next generation of educational leaders.

 

Skills and Expertise

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Throughout his career, Dr. Smart has developed a wide range of skills that make him a highly effective educator and researcher:

• Research and Data Analysis: Dr. Smart is proficient in both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, with a strong background in educational statistics.

• Curriculum and Instruction: His experience as a teacher and his work in higher education have given him a deep understanding of curriculum development and effective teaching strategies.

• Turnaround Leadership and Collaboration: Dr. Smart is a collaborative leader who has worked with a variety of stakeholders, including fellow researchers, educators, and community members.

• Advocacy and Outreach: Dr. Smart is a passionate advocate for educational equity. 

• Creative Writer: Dr. Smart has also authored a wide range of other books over the past two decades, showcasing your versatility and dedication as a writer.

  • The Sakura Cloud (2023)

  • Relationships: Soulmates and Cellmates (2020)

  • Exit Strategy (2017)

  • Souls of Pier 35 (2014)

  • Black Rain (2012)

  • You Were There (2010)

  • Clarity of Absence (2008)

  • Sinners Have a Soul Too (2006)

  • All in Love is Fair (2004)