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.

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).

Academic Programs and Resources

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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!

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