Leaders Council
Steve Smith
Dean of Libraries, University of Tennessee
Steve Smith is Dean of Libraries at the University of Tennessee, where he leads library services for the flagship Knoxville campus, the UT Institute of Agriculture, and the UT Space Institute. He also oversees the University of Tennessee Press. Before joining UT, Dr. Smith spent 21 years at Texas A&M University.
Throughout his career, Dr. Smith has championed transformative initiatives in academic libraries, including major facility renovations, successful fundraising campaigns, and the development of innovative programs. He is widely recognized for his expertise in building rare and special collections, having secured primary source materials of national and international significance. At the University of Tennessee, he has played key leadership roles in strategic planning and campus-wide initiatives, including co-authoring the campus response to the COVID-19 crisis. He holds degrees in English literature and librarianship from the University of South Carolina and a doctorate in English literature from Texas A&M University.
His work also includes leadership on grants and contracts supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the U.S. Department of Energy.
Member institution
University of Tennessee
Tennessee, USA
Term end date: 31 October 2029