Dr. Peter Smith is a Partner in the Education Practice of RIDGE-LANE LP.
Dr. Smith is the Orkand Chair and Professor of Innovative Practices in Higher Education at the University of Maryland, where he advises the President and Executive Vice President on Innovations and strategic direction and innovations for University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), responsible for the complete re-alignment of the Academic Affairs unit as well as all Academic Operations and practices affecting UMGC’s 90,000 students and 6000 faculty and staff on 4 continents.
He was the founding President of the Open College at Kaplan University and Senior Vice President of Academic Strategies and Development for Kaplan Higher Education, responsible for the conceptualization, program development and strategic institutional direction of an entirely new type of college (acquired by Purdue University and renamed Purdue Global).
Dr. Smith served as Assistant Director General of the United Nations - Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), advising Ministries of Education across the world in developing national educational plans, responsible for the supervision and management of more than 700 staff located in over 30 countries with a biennium budget in excess of $1 billion.
He was the founding President of California State University at Monterey Bay (CSUMB), where he oversaw all aspects of leadership and development of the institution, established by Executive Order of the Governor. CSUMB is widely recognized for core characteristics including an outcomes-based curriculum, a strong science and technology program, the first wireless computer network on a public university campus in America, a focus on first generation college students, and a commitment to service learning as a core component of the curriculum.
Dr. Smith served as founding Dean of the Graduate School of Education and Human Development for George Washington University. GSEHD was recognized as one of the leading professional schools in the country.
He served as Lieutenant Governor for the State of Vermont, where he was Chair of Task Force on Education and Economic Growth. Previously, he was elected as a representative from Vermont to the U.S. House of Representatives. Prior, he was an elected Senator, appointed to the Education Committee.
Dr. Smith earned his Bachelor of Arts from Princeton University and Doctor of Education in Administration Planning and Social Policy from Harvard University. He serves on the Boards of NCHEMS, NC-Sara, Vermont College of Fine Arts, Strada Council on the Future of Work, and a Senior Fellow at the Association of Governing Boards.
