His research interests include culturally responsive discipline practices; critical pedagogy; social justice leadership, and equity issues in higher education. Dr. Smith is the founder and former Director of the TryUMF (pronounced "triumph") program in Oakland, CA and formerly served as the Co-Director/Principal of the June Jordan School for Equity in San Francisco. As a result of his work with the Foundation for California Community Colleges, he currently serves as a recommended consultant for the system’s Professional Learning Network. Dr. Smith also currently serves as a national consultant for the Now is the Time Technical Assistance (NITT-TA) Center funded through the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).