Meet the Vice-Provost

A champion for communities

Carrie Smith, Vice-Provost of Access, Community and Belonging

Carrie Smith serves as the Vice-Provost of Access, Community and Belonging, a role she began in November 2022. With a strong background in academic leadership, she has previously held the position of Vice-Dean in the Faculty of Arts and served as both Department Chair and Associate Chair for Graduate Studies. She has an impactful legacy within the Faculty of Arts, overseeing values-enacted strategic planning, recruitment guidelines, governance reforms, leadership development and other transformative initiatives.

Carrie holds a PhD in Germanic Languages and Literatures and a Graduate Certificate in Women's and Gender Studies from Washington University in St. Louis. Her research spans topics in critical university studies, feminist leadership practices, digital culture and feminist activism.

In her role as Vice-Provost, Carrie is committed to fostering meaningful dialogue and collaboration across the university. She emphasizes the importance of identifying and removing institutional barriers while showcasing the existing transformative excellence on campus.

Among her key priorities are the development of a refreshed strategic action plan in alignment with the Indigenous Strategic Plan, advancing disability cultures and justice initiatives, and promoting the well-being and belonging of the university’s growing student population. The Vice-Provost’s portfolio includes leadership of critical campus units such as Helping Individuals At Risk, the Office of Safe Disclosure & Human Rights, and the university’s Lead on Sexual Violence Response.

Under her guidance, the university is taking significant steps toward systemic change, with a focus on actioning diverse frameworks to enhance access and promote belonging across the entire campus community.