Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Office of the Provost


Welcome to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs website.

As Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Howard W Smith is Pittsburg State University's chief academic officer. In this role, he is responsible for the administration, strategic planning, development and review processes for the university's academic mission.  Dr. Smith's leadership more specifically includes oversight of colleges, academic support units and faculty.  A professor of leadership, he has taught undergraduate and graduate courses, including online, hybrid and face-to-face delivery models.  Prior to his university experience,  he taught and administered in K-12 school systems at the elementary, middle, high school and district wide levels.

At Pittsburg State University, he is the convener and chair of the Academic Affairs Leadership Council and the Strategic Planning Council, two university councils that lead and work with both academic and academic-support units to align strategies with resources.

howard web

 

Past positions at PSU include Associate Professor and Professor of Leadership Studies, Interim Chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Chair of the Department of Special Services and Leadership Studies, Executive Director of the PSU-Kansas City Metro Outreach Center, Assistant to the President and Legislative Liaison, and Dean of the College of Education. Prior to that, Dr. Smith’s experiences include having served as the Interim Superintendent of Pittsburg Community Schools, Chair and Associate Professor at Emporia State University, Superintendent of Schools in Bentonville, Arkansas, Executive Director in Amarillo Independent School District, Amarillo, Texas, an administrator in the Blue Valley School District in Overland Park, Kansas, a school principal in Coffeyville, Kansas, and a teacher at Shawnee Mission schools.

Dr. Smith earned his bachelor's degree from Kansas State College at Pittsburg, his master's degree and an administrative certificate from the University of Kansas and a Ph.D. from Kansas State University.

Primary Oversight Responsibilities

Provost Smith is responsible for the academic progress and reputation of Pittsburg State University.  He discharges much of that responsibility through his oversight of units that report directly or indirectly to him, including those listed below.  For the full listing, please refer to the Office of the Provost and Academic Affairs organizational chart (PDF).

Dedicated to Academics

Academic excellence is a top priority at Pittsburg State. In fact it is the first goal of our Pathway to Prominence strategic plan. Click the button below to explore the over 200+ undergraduate and graduate programs offered at Pittsburg State!

Explore Academics

Tenure, Promotion and Sabbatical Guidelines


Promotion

Promotion Guidelines - Please refer to the PSU/KNEA contract

Promotion Checklist and Sample Dossier

Promotion Deadlines

This process is now done in Activity Insight

Sabbatical

Sabbatical/LWOP Guidelines - Please refer to the PSU/KNEA contract

Request form for Sabbatical/Planned LWOP

Sabbatical/Planned LWOP Deadlines

Tenure

Tenure Guidelines - Please refer to the PSU/KNEA contract

Tenure Checklist and Sample Dossier

Tenure Deadlines

This process is now done in Activity Insight

Provost Office Staff


Bryronni Ferguson
Bryronni Ferguson
Executive Director

Phone: (620) 235-6170

Contact Bryronni Ferguson

Karri Johnson
Karri Johnson
Administrative Specialist Senior

Phone: (620) 235-4009

Contact Karri Johnson

Dr. H W Smith
Dr. H W Smith
Provost & Executive Vice President

Phone: (620) 235-4006

Contact Dr. H W Smith

Dr. Janet Smith
Dr. Janet Smith
Special Assistant to the Provost/Professor

Phone: (620) 235-4537

Contact Dr. Janet Smith

Stephanie Swezey
Executive Associate Senior-Provost

Phone: (620) 235-4231

Contact Stephanie Swezey