William A. Smith headshot
  • Chief Executive Administrator , Huntsman Mental Health Institute
  • Professor, Ethnic Studies
  • Professor, Education, Culture & Society
  • Adjunct Professor, Psychiatry

Professional Service

  • Society for the Study of Social Problems, member,. Chair, Erwin O. Smigel Award, 2014-2016. 01/2014 - 01/2016
  • Society for the Study of Social Problems, member,. Chair elect, Erwin O. Smigel Award, 2013-2014 . 01/2013 - 01/2014
  • Ethnic Studies. Role: Search Committee Chair. Director of Ethnic Studies Search Committee. 08/01/2011 - 12/01/2013
  • Pac-12. Role: Faculty Athletics Representative. Joint Council. 06/30/2010 - 06/30/2013

Community Partnership

  • Talent Hunt Competition. 01/01/2017 - 12/31/2017

Honors & Awards

  • Albert B. Fritz Civil Rights Award. Salt Lake City Branch of the NAACP, 10/27/2023
  • The Jon M. Huntsman Presidential Chair. University of Utah, 10/09/2023
  • Distinguished Career Contribution Award. The American Educational Research Association, 04/15/2023
  • On behalf of the Salt Lake City’s Division of Youth & Family we would like to congratulate YOU on being identified as a 2023 Salt Lake City Social Justice Superhero. For the last several weeks, YouthCity kids from across the city have been learning about social justice and dynamic leaders whose work and dedication have improved our world. Martin Luther King, Jr, Rosa Parks, Cesar Chaves, Harvey Milk, Malala Yousafzai, Judith Heumann, and Gretta Thunberg are just a few of the national and global Social Justice Superheroes we have studied. We would like to add YOU to the list of Salt Lake City Social Justice Superheroes and recognize YOU for the inspiring work YOU do at the University of Utah and throughout our community to make our city kinder, safer, cleaner, and more just. Salt Lake City’s Division of Youth & Family, 03/24/2023
  • “Top 1%/Top 200 university-based faculty tackling educational questions in the U.S.” . 2023 Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings, American Enterprise Institute, 01/05/2023
  • 2022 Derrick Bell Legacy Award. Critical Race Studies in Education Association, 10/27/2022
  • This award is given out annual to one person who then is eligible for the International award. The 12th District of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., 11/11/2021
  • This award is given annually in multiple categories. I was selected for the award in Education. Utah is one of the nation's fastest-growing states. Our strong economy, cost of living, and great outdoors make us an attractive place to live. As our population continues to grow, our residents will need access to various resources. Living Color Utah is a project commissioned by Salt Lake City Corporation. The purpose of Living Color Utah is to provide resources for Utah's diverse population. Living Color Utah-Education Award, 09/16/2021
  • This award is given out by the University of Utah to three professors each your for their impact in research. 2021 Distinguished Research Award, 03/2021
  • This is an annual award and is considered the highest award presented. Black Black Faculty & Staff Awards, James McCune Smith Award of Veneration recipient, 02/23/2021
  • This award is given to one member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. at the Chapter, District, and International levels. This award was given out at the Chapter level. 2020 Founders Award, 11/17/2020
  • This is a national mentoring award from the Spencer Foundation that recognizes several people per year. 2020 Spencer Foundation’s Mentor Award, 04/2020
  • This award is given out by the University of Utah each year to three professors to recognize their impact through mentoring. 2020 University of Utah Distinguished Mentor Award, 04/2020
  • 2018 Superior Service Award. 12th District of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., 05/05/2018
  • 2018 Citizen of the Year Award. 12th District of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., 05/05/2018
  • 2015 Founders Award. Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (Iota Iota Iota Graduate Chapter), 12/11/2015
  • 2014 Superior Service Award. Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (Iota Iota Iota Graduate Chapter), 12/20/2014
  • 2014 Founders Award. Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (Iota Iota Iota Graduate Chapter), 12/20/2014
  • 2013 Omega Man of the Year. Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (Iota Iota Iota Graduate Chapter), 11/11/2013
  • 2013 Founders Award. Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (Iota Iota Iota Graduate Chapter), 11/11/2013
  • 2012 Superior Service Award. Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (Iota Iota Iota Chapter), 11/2012
  • 2011 Graduate Omega Man of the Year. 12th District of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., 05/12/2011
  • The recipients of this award have had a significant impact in their chosen field, community, or society. Eastern Illinois University, College of Education and Professional Studies, 03/30/2011
  • Graduate Omega Man of the Year. Iota Iota Iota Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., 11/17/2010

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