(PDF) (DOC) (JPG)January 30, 2004

(Mahwah) – Dr. Rodney D. Smith today announced that he will step down as president of Ramapo College of New Jersey, effective June 30, for personal and professional reasons. He went on to say he will focus on completing the semester and working closely with the new provost and senior staff.

We appreciate Rodney’s service to Ramapo College during a time of increasing enrollments and rising student preparedness coupled with state budget cuts,” said Gail Brady, chair of the Ramapo College Board of Trustees. Brady went on say that she wishes him success in the future, both professionally and personally.

Since he became the third president of Ramapo College on July 1, 2001, Smith has presided over the construction of new facilities, growth in enrollment and in student preparedness. He completed a strategic plan, instituted the office of the provost and brought distinguished lecturers such as Lech Walesa and Julian Bond to the campus. Smith has placed an emphasis on going after major grants, securing a federal appropriation for an academic facility to be named for former Congresswoman Marge Roukema. Most recently, he oversaw the signing of a multi-million dollar agreement with the Meadowlands Commission. He successfully dealt with the challenges of two consecutive years of state budget cuts.

Dr. Smith was named an MLI Fellow by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities for 2000, a Bush Foundation Fellow in 1997 and an Organization of American States Fellow for training and research at Harvard University from 1983 to 1986.

He serves on the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Task Force on Student Life and Alcohol Abuse and on the National Board of Directors of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning. He is a member of the Hackensack University Medical Center Board; a member of the Board of Examiners, New Jersey Dept. of Education; Board of Directors for Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey; and Chair of New Jersey’s United Nations Day. Dr. Smith is a member of the New Jersey President’s Council and a member of the Steering Committee for Vision 2020: Steering the Future of Bergen County. He is also Co-Chair of the Russ Berrie Award for Making a Difference. In addition, Dr. Smith was elected to the Editorial Board of the Journal of the National Association of Student Affairs Professionals and, in 1995, and was the National Conference Chair of the National Association of Student Affairs Professionals. He received the 1995 Outstanding Professional Award by the Virginia Association of Student Personnel Administrators. He is the recipient of the Presidential Award for Outstanding Service, National Association of Student Affairs Professionals.

Dr. Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in ecology from St. John’s University in Minnesota. He holds a master’s in clinical psychology from Fisk University in Tennessee, a master’s with a concentration in international development from Harvard University and a doctorate in administration, planning and social policy from Harvard University.

Message from the Board of Trustees
February 3, 2004

The Board of Trustees of Ramapo College of New Jersey held an executive session on February 3, 2004 to discuss the resignation of President Rodney D. Smith. The Board determined to accept President Smith’s resignation with regret. A public action of acceptance will be taken at the Board’s regular meeting on February 25, 2004. The Board offers its thanks for Dr. Smith’s contributions to the Ramapo College community over the last three years. The Board wishes the President and his family all the best in the future. The Board is determined to find, at the earliest possible opportunity, an interim president to provide a smooth transition until a search committee, to be appointed by the Board, has completed a nation-wide search for the fourth permanent president of the College.

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About Ramapo College

Ramapo College of New Jersey is the state’s premier public liberal arts college and is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. The comprehensive college is situated among the beautiful Ramapo Mountains, is within commuting distance to New York City, was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America by CondeNast Traveler, and boasts the best on-campus housing in New Jersey per Niche.com. Established in 1969, Ramapo College offers bachelor’s degrees in the arts, business, data science, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include business, education, nursing and social work. In addition, the College offers courses leading to teacher certification at the elementary and secondary levels, and offers graduate programs leading to master’s degrees in Accounting, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Contemporary Instructional Design, Computer Science, Creative Music Technology, Data Science, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work and Special Education, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

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