Ramapo College President to Step Down
MAWAH, N.J.
Dr. Rodney D. Smith recently announced that he will step down as president of Ramapo College of New Jersey, effective June 30, for personal and professional reasons. He went on to say he will focus on completing the semester and working closely with the new provost and senior staff.
“We appreciate Rodney’s service to Ramapo College during a time of increasing enrollments and rising student preparedness coupled with state budget cuts,” said Gail Brady, chairwoman of the Ramapo College board of trustees. Brady went on to say that she wishes him well in the future, both professionally and personally.
Smith, formerly a vice-president at Hampton University, became the third president of Ramapo College on July 1, 2001 (see Black Issues, June 21, 2001). Since becoming president, he has presided over the construction of new facilities, growth in enrollment and in student preparedness. He completed a strategic plan, instituted the office of the provost and brought distinguished lecturers such as Lech Walesa and Julian Bond to the campus.
Smith has placed an emphasis on going after major grants, securing a federal appropriation for an academic facility to be named for former Congresswoman Marge Roukema. Most recently, he oversaw the signing of a multi-million dollar agreement with the Meadowlands Commission. He successfully dealt with the challenges of two consecutive years of state budget cuts.
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