This summer, MechSE alumnus Lorenzo Smith (BSME 1990) will become the new Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost at Eastern Washington University (EWU).

The new role is the next in a line of prominent leadership positions for Smith, who previously served as Dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science at California State University-Sacramento and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost for Stephen F. Austin State University.

“In any position, I spend a lot of time being on the front line with students to better understand their experiences and needs,” he said. “The most important thing for students is the transformational experience that they have on campus with those that they interact with the most. I want to be more informed when making decisions that could impact students, faculty, and staff.”

As a student at Illinois, Smith greatly enjoyed collaborating, and having fun, with his peers. In addition to attending study groups and being an intramural sports athlete, he worked as an Upward Bound tutor—a position that brought him personal fulfilment and success with high school students.

Smith had come to The Grainger College of Engineering intending to get on a track toward industry. “As my father was an engineer, my initial goal when I started my program at Illinois was to become one as well,” he recalled. However, his goals shifted when he took a physics course with the late Professor Donald Ginsburg.

“[Ginsburg] interacted with students and commanded the room he was in with his expert knowledge of the material,” Smith said. “[It was] a pivotal point in my life that inspired me to strive toward being a professor of engineering.”

Even knowing that he eventually wanted to pursue academia, Smith started his career working for General Motors. After earning a PhD in engineering mechanics from Michigan State University, Smith continued his work in industry until getting hired as an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Oakland University. He received several promotions while at Oakland, culminating in becoming Associate Dean of the School of Engineering and Computer Science.

Smith encourages students who deeply enjoy problem-solving to consider a future career in academia. He understands the pressure to conform to a traditional engineering pathway in industry, but also points out that the benefits outweigh the risks. It is important that students think about what career opportunities will provide the most satisfaction for them as an individual, rather than looking to peers to guide them.

“There will always be some level of risk when professional development is involved in any career,” he said. “People should grow to become comfortable with being uncomfortable. In my career, I made calculated risks that led me to where I am today. I didn’t want to look back at an opportunity that I regretted not pursuing. While everyone should be thoughtful in making these life-altering decisions, never let the fear hold you back from achieving your full potential.”

As a successful family-oriented individual, Smith has had support from his wife and two sons throughout his career. They raised their sons with the mindset of seeking out every opportunity available and taking calculated risks without fearing the unknown. His sons became involved in youth and teen orchestras, which further developed Smith’s love for listening to, and learning from, symphony music.

“My passion for music has always been applicable to my career,” Smith said, recalling an impactful moment during a rehearsal. “The conductor pointed out that even if an individual unit is right, but every unit is not together, then everything is wrong. An administrator at the provost level needs to align with this perspective. They have to recognize and empathize with everyone’s needs to be a successful leader in academia. Seeing the growth of individuals, understanding their background, and developing meaningful relationships are the most fulfilling aspects of any career I have had.”