Thomas Smith, Ph.D.

Thomas Smith, Ph.D., an academic leader, teacher, and scholar who has been at top Catholic universities for more than 20 years, is Providence College’s provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.

Before joining the PC community, Dr. Smith served as dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at The Catholic University of America (CUA). Prior to taking that position in 2020, he spent 27 years at Villanova University, where he began his academic career as an assistant professor in political science in 2000. He was named founding chair of Villanova’s Department of Humanities in 2003 and was promoted to associate dean for humanities in the College of Arts and Sciences in 2008. Two years later, he began a successful 10-year term as director of Villanova’s University Honors Program (2010-2020).

Dr. Smith earned a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University, a master’s degree from CUA, and a Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame.

The deans of PC’s four schools report to the provost and senior vice president. As leader of the Office of Academic Affairs, the provost oversees an array of academic and administrative units, including academic services, admission and financial aid, assessment, the Center for Engaged Learning, the Center for Global Education, the Center for Teaching Excellence, institutional research, instructional technology, Phillips Memorial Library, the Providence Alliance for Catholic Teachers program, and the registrar’s office.