Brien Smith, Youngstown State University’s former provost and special assistant to President Bill Johnson, is reportedly headed south.

According to a press release from the University of North Alabama, Smith has been named as the university’s new provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and is set to start his new position June 1.

Smith, according to the release, replaces Dr. Ross Alexander, who departed from the role in July.

“Dr. Smith brings a wealth of experience across the academic spectrum that promises to serve UNA and our students and academic programs very well,” UNA’s President Dr. Ken Kitts stated in the release. “The search committee tasked with filling this role has provided excellent guidance throughout the process, and we look forward to welcoming Dr. Smith to campus soon.”

In the release, Smith stated: “What attracted me to UNA is quite a list, actually. First of all, UNA has its roots as a normal school. I have served as faculty and in administration at two institutions that began as state normal schools, so I knew UNA’s DNA is deeply rooted in a commitment to excellence in teaching and student learning. Also, while many institutions promote their student-centric culture, it is clear to me that UNA actually delivers on that promise. Finally, I was looking for a place that has a strong sense of family, and, at UNA, you feel that the moment you step foot on campus.”

Smith was named to the same position at Youngstown State in April of 2019. Before that, he helped increase enrollment and graduation rates while raising millions of dollars in gifts and grants during a seven-year stint as dean at the Scott College of Business at Indiana State University, according to a YSU press release announcing his hire.

In January, YSU announced that Smith was named special assistant to the president and he has served under YSU president Bill Johnson over the past few months. Jennifer Pintar was named as the interim provost after previously serving as vice provost.

Pintar is one of three finalists for the position. Alyson A. Gill, who was most recently the Provost at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina, and Carolyn Smith Keller, who is an associate provost at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, are the other two. All three will participate in campus visits and open forums with faculty, staff and the university community over the next few days.

Pintar will participate in an open forum today from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in Moser Hall, Room 2000, Schwebel Auditorium. Gill will do the same on Monday and Smith Keller’s will take place on Tuesday.

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