Buffy Smith, Ph.D. is a sociologist, educator, and consultant. She is the founding associate dean of Dougherty Family College and professor of Sociology at the University of St. Thomas. She earned her B.A. in Sociology at Marquette University and a M.S. and Ph.D. in Sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The courses she teaches include the First-Year College Experience Seminar, Social Problems, Race & Ethnicity, Social Stratification, and the Sociology Senior Seminar. She was an Association for the Study of Higher Education /Lumina Fellow in 2003. Dr. Smith’s primary research interests include examining racial and class disparities within the higher education system. She writes on policy issues dealing with mentoring, access, retention, equity, and diversity in higher education. She has over 15 years of experience researching how colleges and universities can assist underserved students with understanding and navigating the institutional culture of higher education in order to achieve academic success. Dr. Smith has received several awards and grants that recognize her research on diversity issues in higher education. Dr. Smith’s publications include book chapters and articles featured in research and practice oriented journals such as African –American Research Perspectives and Equity & Excellence in Education. In addition, she is the author of the book, Mentoring At-Risk Students through the Hidden Curriculum of Higher Education. She can be reached via email at bsmith@stthomas.edu.