Office of Academic Affairs

W. Randy Smith
Vice Provost for Academic Programs

W. Randy Smith joined the Office of Academic Affairs in 1994 as the university's first provost's faculty fellow and, in that capacity, coordinated Ohio State's decennial reaccreditation process. He was subsequently named an associate provost and, since 1998, has been the vice provost for academic programs (formerly, curriculum and institutional relations).

He has been extensively involved in national professional organizations, statewide committees and task forces, and in university governance. In 1997 he was honored as one of the initial recipients of the Faculty Award for Distinguished University Service for his work with the Ohio Board of Regents in developing and implementing better articulation between the state’s two- and four-year universities and for his role in regional campus performance reviews, enrollment planning, and academic enrichment approach to program funding.

He received the Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching in 1990.

A member of Ohio State’s Department of Geography since 1978, Vice Provost Smith specializes in urban geography, especially urban historical geography, and urban and regional systems. He received his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. from York University in Toronto, Canada.

Primary responsibilities:

• Academic program review
• Curriculum development and review
• Institutional and specialized accreditation
• John Glenn School of Public Affairs
• Liaison responsibility with the Council on Academic Affairs
• Statewide program development
• Teaching/learning activities and student learning outcomes
• University Center for the Advancement of Teaching

Support staff
Melissa Soave