Allison M. Smith, Ph.D.

Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Allison has built an impressive academic and professional background. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Southern University in 2009, followed by a Masters of Public Administration from Louisiana State University in May 2011. Continuing her pursuit of knowledge, she earned a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership, Research, and Counseling with a specialization in Higher Education Administration in 2016, also from Louisiana State University.

 

Over the past decade, Allison has dedicated her career to substance misuse prevention and recovery within higher education. She spent eight impactful years at Louisiana State University before transitioning to her current role at the Louisiana Board of Regents, where she leads and advocates for this critical work.

 

Addressing diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in prevention programming and recovery within higher education is a consistent passion for Allison. By sharing her own experiences, she helps audiences explore new perspectives and identify collaborative opportunities for mutual success. Her genuine desire to collectively problem-solve drives her commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue and fostering a more just and equitable world.

 

Combining her love for conversation, collaboration, and pop culture, Allison excels in connecting diverse parties to create innovative yet practical solutions. She approaches challenging conversations with empathy, providing informative and actionable insights that empower positive change.

 

In addition to her professional pursuits, Allison encourages individuals to embrace their authentic selves and discover and leverage their social capital. She firmly believes in the transformative power of fully expressing one's true identity and connecting with others to achieve collective goals.

 

With her extensive experience, unwavering passion for change, and a knack for injecting humor into her presentations, Allison is a dynamic and engaging speaker who will motivate, captivate, and educate your audience. Her aim is to inspire them to take meaningful action and make a lasting impact.

 

For a comprehensive overview of Allison's presentations, trainings, grant awards, and involvement in state/local task forces and committees, please refer to her CV, available here.