DOTHAN, AL, June 24, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Dr. Susan R. Smith has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Dr. Smith, an accomplished educator and former chemist, continues to dedicate her career to advocating for marginalized youth and promoting educational equity. With nearly 40 years of professional experience, she currently serves as an academic administrator at the Southeast Alabama Youth Diversion Center, a role she has held since 2023. In this role, Dr. Smith provides educational support to at-risk youth who have faced multiple placements, ensuring they receive appropriate academic credits and advocating for marginalized students.

In addition to her administrative position, Dr. Smith has taught at the Southeast Alabama Youth Diversion Center since 2015, where she has been instrumental in preventing young learners from falling through the cracks. She takes an active interest in supporting their academic journeys, often working diligently to ensure they receive proper placement in schools.

From 2002 to 2015, Dr. Smith served as a teacher at PASS Academy, an alternative school within Dothan City Schools. What began as a temporary role quickly became a calling as she saw the impact she had on students facing serious challenges. Her commitment to alternative education grew, leading to a move to the diversion center after an administrator, impressed by student feedback, invited her to expand her work. There, Dr. Smith serves youth across 15 counties, deepening her impact and experience.

Before transitioning into education, Dr. Smith worked as a research chemist at Sony Magnetic Products of America from 1988 to 1998. During her tenure, she developed a procedure that was tested on 100,000 belts, earning her a patent and marking a significant achievement in her career. This accomplishment remains a great source of pride for Dr. Smith.

Dr. Smith's academic background underscores her dedication to lifelong learning. She earned an EdD in educational leadership and administration from Liberty University in 2022, following an EdS in the same field from the University of Montevallo in 2019. She also holds an MEd in secondary education and teaching from Troy University, Dothan, which she was awarded in 2000. Dr. Smith's earlier studies include a BS in pre-medical studies from Auburn University in 1986 and an associate degree from Chattahoochee Valley Community College in 1984.

Dr. Smith's path to education was unconventional. Her transition to teaching was inspired by her desire to spend summers with her school-aged children, following a successful career as a research chemist. Recognizing the shortage of science and math educators in Alabama, Dr. Smith joined the state's Alternative A Program and earned a Master's in Education rapidly, motivated by a desire to make a meaningful difference where it was needed most.

One of Dr. Smith's most impactful achievements occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she successfully intervened on behalf of a student who had been placed in the wrong grade. Taking immediate action, she collaborated with local educational authorities to verify his credits. Dr. Smith's advocacy ensured he graduated on time, exemplifying her dedication to student success and equity.

Outside her professional life, Dr. Smith enjoys reading, spending time at the beach and working in the yard. Passionate about advocacy beyond the classroom, she is committed to influencing laws and procedures that impact the students she serves. Dr. Smith's ongoing mission is to drive meaningful improvements in education policy that enhance learning outcomes and opportunities for vulnerable and at-risk youth.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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