Dr. Smith has devoted over 38 years to serving as a board member, educator, ally, and advocate for individuals with disabilities, their families, and their caregivers. She currently serves on the Advisory Board and in fundraising for a nonprofit organization serving individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDDs), stroke, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and older adults. In addition, Dr. Smith has served in leadership on the Clarkson College Alumni Board of Directors and she serves Clarkson College in committee work, including dissertation research committees, doctoral comprehensive examination committee (COMPS), the Comprehensive Campaign Leadership Cabinet, and the Interprofessional Education (IPE) committee, among others.

In 2022, Dr. Smith established the Dr. Jenette Smith Endowed Scholarship to support our Clarkson College EdD students.

Dr. Smith joined Clarkson College as a faculty member in the Doctor of Education (EdD) in Healthcare Education and Leadership program in 2021, and she also teaches in the Doctor of Education (EdD) in Interprofessional Leadership program. She holds a Doctor of Education (EdD) degree in Healthcare Education and Leadership from Clarkson College, a certified Doctoral Diplomate in Lifestyle Medicine (DipACLM) from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, and a Master of Science degree in Health Education/Studies in Aging from the University of North Texas. In addition, Dr. Smith completed course certifications from the Harvard Law School Program on Negotiation (PON) in mediation and conflict management (2023), difficult conversations (2024), and overcoming resistance in negotiation (2024), with plans for further mediation and negotiation education in 2026-2027.

Courses

EDD 915: Outcomes of Healthcare in a Global Society
EDD 918: Organizational Systems and Behavior
EDD 926: Leading through Change and Disruption
EDD 934: Learning Theories and Adult Education Methods
EDD 968: Managing Organizational Conflict
EDD 960: 2021-2025, Trends and Issues in Healthcare Education

Doctoral Dissertation Chair
Doctoral Dissertation Committee Member

Words of Wisdom

Lead with the purpose of serving others.  

Awards and Honors

2025- Recipient of the Dr. Patricia Book Perry Faculty of the Year Award
2025- Served as the Commencement Speaker for the 2025 Clarkson College Graduation Ceremony
2025- Nominee for the Apple Award for Teaching Excellence, Clarkson College Faculty Senate
2025- Volunteer Recognition, Service Spotlight-Clarkson College
2024- Nominee for the Dr. Patricia Book Perry Faculty of the Year Award
2023, 2020- Outstanding Faculty Publications, California State University-Fresno
2020- Academic Excellence Honors Award, Clarkson College
2025, 2016, 2014, 2003, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1992-Volunteer Recognition
1995- Academic Excellence Honors Award, University of North Texas
Multiple Years- Funded Grant Proposals, Nonprofits

Publications - Selected 2020-2025

Book Chapters:
Smith, J. L., & Smith, M. J. (2025). "Inclusion of People with Disabilities in Health Research." Research Handbook on Health Education, Health Promotion, and Diversity (pp. 337-351). Edward Elgar Publishing.

Smith, J. L., & Perez, M. A. (2021). "Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Healing Approaches in Culturally Competent Health Promotion." Cultural Competence in Health Education and Health Promotion (3rd ed., pp. 81-102). John Wiley and Sons, Inc.

Smith, M. J., & Smith, J. L. (2021). "People with Disabilities: Through a Cultural Lens." Cultural Competence in Health Education and Health Promotion (3rd ed., pp. 293-318). John Wiley and Sons, Inc.

Journal Articles:
Pinzon-Perez, H., Smith, J. L., & Perez, A. D. (2025). "Artificial Intelligence for the Training of Health Professionals: Opportunities and Challenges: Inteligencia Artificial Para la Formacion de Profesionales de la Salud: Oportunidades y Desafios. Revista de la Facultad de Medicina Humana, 25(3).

Smith, J. L., & Perez, M. A. (2024). "Encouraging Difficult Conversations in Mitigating Nursing Faculty Shortages": Fomentar Conversaciones Difíciles Para Mitigar la Escasez de Profesores de Enfermería. Horizonte Sanitario, 23(3).

Perez, M. A., Smith, J., & Luquis, R. R. (2023, December). "Academic Burnout Among Master of Public Health Students." American Journal of Health Education, 55(1).

Perez, M. A., Smith, J. L., Alonso, L. M., & Perez, K. J. (2022). "Unintentional Injuries: It's Time to Think About Them": Lesiones No Intencionales: Es Tiempo de Pensar En Ellas. Salud Uninorte, 38(2).

Smith, J. L., & Perez, M. A. (2021). "Interdisciplinary Faculty: A Tool to Address Faculty Shortages in Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing Programs." Academia Letters, 4096.

Torres-Coronado, J., Loo-Valverde, M., De La Cruz-Vargas, J. A., Perez, M. A., & Smith, J. (2021). "Roll-over Test as Predictive Value of Pre-eclampsia." La Prueba de Roll-over Como Predictor de Pre-Eclampsia. Salud Uninorte, 37(2).

Perez, M. A., & Smith, J. L. (2020). "Advancing Sustainable Development Goals through Public Health Service Learning." Revista de la Facultad de Medicina Humana, 20(1).

Presentations 2025:
(These are selected presentations from 2025. Additional presentations from 2020-2025 include research, conflict, burnout, grit, & resilience).

Smith, J. L., & Ehrecke M. (2025, November 16-19). American College of Lifestyle Medicine, LM 2025 International Conference, "Transforming Patient, Client, and Provider Connections: A Conflict Management Toolbox," Poster Presentation.

Smith, J. L., & Ehrecke, M. (2025, November 6). Clarkson College Center for Teaching and Learning, Continuing Education. "Managing Conflict in Healthcare and Healthcare Education: A Lifestyle Medicine Approach."

Smith, J. L., & Varguez, R. (2025, October 29). Innovative Educators. "Resilience in Action: Applying Grit & Growth Mindset to Learning & Leadership."

Smith, J. L., & Varguez, R. (2025, October 22). Innovative Educators. "Building Grit & Resilience: Practical Teaching Strategies to Foster Perseverance."

Smith, J. L., & Aksamit, D. (2025, August 21). Clarkson College Research Forum. "Research Resilience: Staying Motivated in the Middle Dissertation Chapters."

Smith, J. L. (2025, August 9). Clarkson College Commencement Address. Honored as the recipient of the 2025 Dr. Patricia Book Perry Faculty of the Year Award to give the commencement address.

Smith, J. L. (2025, August 8; 2024, August 9; 2023, August 4; Upcoming: 2026, August 7). Clarkson College Graduate Hooding Ceremony, Master of Ceremonies.

Ehrecke, M., Smith, J., & Walker, A. (2025, March 26-28). Consortium of Hospital-Affiliated Colleges and Universities, Clarkson College. Keynote Presentation, "Staying Human in Changing Times: How Increasing Intercultural Competence Equips Healthcare Professionals to Embrace Complexity, Adapt to Technology, and Champion Patient-Centered Care."

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