Roswell Park announces new chief academic officer

A longtime champion of education as “a great equalizer” will now lead Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center’s broad slate of educational programs.

Jamie Smith, has joined the cancer center as chief academic officer, senior vice president of education and dean of the Roswell Park Graduate Division of the University at Buffalo.

Smith previously served as associate vice president of academic affairs and dean of liberal arts, sciences and initiatives at Erie Community College (ECC). In those roles, Smith worked to develop curriculum in ECC’s more than 80 approved programs, reviewing more than 100 approved courses, administering numerous grants, and addressing a variety of educational and community needs through her policy work.

“We are so fortunate to have an educator and innovator with Dr. Smith’s energy and record of achievement to lead our education initiatives,” says Candace S. Johnson, Ph.D., president & CEO and M&T Bank presidential chair in leadership at Roswell Park. “Dr. Smith will oversee every aspect of how we fulfill our mission to educate the next generation of cancer experts and to be a resource to our community through learning opportunities.”

Smith will lead graduate degree programs in cancer sciences as well as training for clinical professionals and scientists and special summer programs for health professionals and undergraduate and high school students. She will also work to expand community education and outreach with a special focus on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and biomedical/healthcare workforce development, and will play an important role in the leadership of our Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG) from the National Cancer Institute.

Smith earned her Doctor of Education degree from St. John Fisher College’s Ralph C. Wilson School of Education after completing a Master of Library Sciences degree from the University at Buffalo. She serves on the New York State Board of Regents State Library Advisory Board and on the Health Sciences Charter School and Elmwood Village Charter Schools boards of trustees, in addition to her service on behalf of several community, educational and civic organizations in Buffalo.

Photo: Jamie Smith