Dr. Tom Smith

Professor

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Biography

Tom Smith is a highly accomplished researcher, educator, and leader in the field of education with over 30 years of experience. He has held various leadership roles, including interim provost and executive vice chancellor, as well as dean of the Graduate School of Education at the University of California, Riverside. He served as a professor of public policy education at Vanderbilt University's Peabody College prior to joining UC Davis in 2024. His research primarily focuses on partnerships between schools and districts to enhance student learning and college readiness. He collaborates with researchers at prominent institutions like Vanderbilt, UC Irvine, and others to develop, test, and implement systems for practical measures of instructional improvement in mathematics. Smith has also been involved in significant statewide initiatives aimed at improving teacher education and credentialing in California. His extensive background includes teaching, consulting, and extensive publication in educational research, making him a recognized voice in education policy and reform.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor

2024-01-01 — Present

University of California, Davis • Davis, CA

Director of Graduate Studies

2023-01-01 — Present

Department of Leadership, Policy, Organizations, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University • Nashville, TN

Professor Public Policy Education

2022-01-01 — Present

Peabody College, Vanderbilt University • Nashville, TN

Special Advisor to the Chancellor

2021-01-01 — 2022-01-01

University of California, Riverside • Riverside, CA

Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor

2019-01-01 — 2021-01-01

University of California, Riverside • Riverside, CA

Dean

2014-01-01 — 2019-01-01

Graduate School of Education, University of California, Riverside • Riverside, CA

Professor

2014-01-01 — 2022-01-01

Graduate School of Education; School of Public Policy, University of California, Riverside • Riverside, CA

Senior Analyst

2000-01-01 — 2001-01-01

National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA • Arlington, VA

Requirements for University of California, Davis

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Listening
Required:20
Reading
Required:20
Writing
Required:20
Speaking
Required:20
Total
Required:80
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field ECS 120 (Theory of Computation) ECS 122A (Algorithm Design and Analysis) ECS 140A (Programming Languages) or ECS 160 (Software Engineering) ECS 150 (Operating Systems) or ECS 154B (Computer Architecture)
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Application fee
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Transcripts
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • CV/Resume
Specialization Notes

Department of Computer Science. GRE is NOT required.