I Help You Innovate in Higher Education
I’m Dr. Vernon C. Smith, innovator, thought leader, and proven entrepreneur in higher education.
Let’s create lasting impact for your organization!

Dr. Smith’s Impact
Founding Partner of


Podcast
Learn how higher ed leaders are solving today’s toughest innovation challenges.
Exploring innovation trends in learning and leadership in higher education.

Consulting
Strategize, lead, and discover lasting institutional growth.
Join with Dr. Vernon Smith and Dr. Michael Cottam. Backed by 30+ years of experience leading systemwide innovation.

Blog
Rethink what’s possible with proven strategies from real leaders in higher education.
Dig into stories, strategies, and insights that help you engage in your leadership work, by design.
Vernon’s Specialties
Accreditation Readiness
Prepare confidently with expert guidance grounded in repeated success. I assist leaders and teams to prepare confidently for peer review and self-study visits.
Strategic Planning
Turn your mission into measurable momentum with actionable plans that align people, budget, and goals. I help teams move beyond vision into tangible results.
Academic Technology
Select and integrate learning technologies that create a scalable and effective digital infrastructure. I offer strategic insight grounded in executive experience.
Leadership Coaching
Confidential, personalized coaching for higher education executives and mid-level leaders. I strengthen your impact and build your resilience to lead with clarity through complexity.
Enrollment & Market Expansion
Future-proof enrollment with strategies that connect academic offerings to workforce relevance and student need. I drive student success and institutional growth.
Academic Program Development
Support for full-cycle program development—from idea to launch—grounded in data, outcomes, and instructional integrity. I guide your academic teams to create scalable and mission-aligned programs that stand the test of time.
Policy & Governance
System-level consultation to improve governance, effectiveness, and agility—especially for multi-campus or cross-functional settings. I bring a systems-thinking lens to institutional transformation.
Thought Leadership & Public Engagement
Keynotes, podcasts, and panels that elevate the field. I share practical frameworks and forward-thinking ideas to challenge norms and inspire action.
Helping You Innovate in Higher Education, Strategically.
Sign up for a quick chat with me through Engaged by Design, or send a quick email directly to me.
Send a Note
Let me help you get really good at leading top teams at colleges, universities, and other higher education institutions.




