McCabe Smith Named Vice Provost

Linda McCabe Smith, associate chancellor for institutional diversity at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, has been named vice provost for institutional equity and diversity at NC State, effective Aug. 1.

NC State Provost Warwick Arden announced the appointment today. Amy Circosta, who has served as interim vice provost since June 2015, will assist in the transition.

“Dr. McCabe Smith’s experience in cultivating institutional excellence in equity and diversity matches our strategic vision to foster a truly inclusive and diverse environment at NC State,” Arden said.

Most recently, McCabe Smith managed diversity-related programming at SIU Carbondale, a position she has held since 2009. She previously served as interim associate dean in SIU-Carbondale’s College of Mass Communication and Media Arts.

“I had many wonderful opportunities to develop my passion for equity and diversity in my previous decade of academic leadership, as well as engage in dialogue on issues related to race, gender, the LGBTQ community and more with students and campus leaders,” said McCabe Smith.

Much of McCabe Smith’s career has focused on establishing a framework of diversity and inclusion so that all faculty, staff and students feel a sense of belonging and safety on the campuses where she’s worked. She has advised campus leaders on compliance with federal anti-discrimination law, and has directed the work of resource centers serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, African-American and Hispanic/Latino populations.

At SIU Carbondale, she supervised diversity initiatives for the University Affirmative Action Office, Office of Diversity and Equity, and University Women’s Professional Advancement. McCabe Smith also established a tenure-track program for faculty from underrepresented minority groups to strengthen institutional diversity, and recruited faculty to mentor to these professors, something she hopes to continue in her new role.

“Diversity is more than just a buzzword — it is a framework for excellence that touches all parts of campus,” said McCabe Smith. “NC State is a progressive campus that welcomes self reflection and engagement on diversity issues. I hope to continue to build upon this environment to ensure that everyone in the university community knows this is a place where they can feel welcome and thrive.”

McCabe Smith, a native of Havelock, earned her doctorate in speech-language and hearing pathology from SIU Carbondale. She received her master’s in the same subject, along with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, from North Carolina Central University. McCabe Smith holds a certification in clinical competence from the American Speech Language and Hearing Association, and is a certified affirmative action professional and campus Title IX coordinator and administrator.

NC State’s Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity fosters inclusivity through support for various initiatives and centers, including the offices of Equal Opportunity and Equity and Diversity and Inclusion, along with the African American Cultural Center, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Center, Multicultural Student Affairs and the Women’s Center. The office encourages diversity dialogue by engaging students, faculty and staff through diversity and equality training.