Jeter Smith is currently an active crisis responder. Higher education was his calling for almost two decades as he worked to make a difference from middle management to executive leadership.

In high school, he seized an opportunity to try out for the Cincinnati Reds professional baseball team. Opportunities to play college football and college baseball became secondary to his chance to accept an academic scholarship to a small private college.

Jeter went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Hiram College, where he found the love of his life. Afterward, he would relocate to Illinois, where he would earn his Master of Science in Education degree in Counseling from Western Illinois University.

While earning his Master’s degree, Jeter worked as a Resident Director at a small Private Liberal Arts College near the border of Iowa. During that time, he would selflessly contribute to the community, both in Iowa and Illinois, establishing himself as a well-known speaker delivering presentations on topics such as “Hip-Hop, Understanding Poverty, and Violence Against Women” to name a few.

He assisted with Take Back The Night ceremonies, raised money for various causes, and introduced a new diversity program to the campus entitled “Honest Conversations”.

Finally, Jeter and his family relocated to Western Pennsylvania from a stint on the East Coast in the Poconos. While in the Poconos at a local University, he produced a Tony-nominated play, enhanced diversity programming, and trained many student leaders.

After the move to western PA, he began work at a local university, passionately building tomorrow’s leaders while working toward his doctorate in education and leadership.

Jeter enjoys good conversation, meeting new people, and inspiring others to be their best self.