The Mississippi State University Research and Curriculum Unit is under new leadership, with the promotion of Betsey Smith from within its ranks.
Smith has worked at the RCU since 2007 and was officially named its director on June 1. She replaces Julie Jordan, who was named interim executive director of MSU’s International Institute and interim associate vice president for international programs in December.
She is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
She is also an alumna of Louisiana State University and University of Louisiana at Monroe. In addition to her RCU position, she serves on the Starkville Academy School Board.
Smith first studied nursing, but decided it wasn’t for her. She then switched to nutrition. This move eventually led her to the classroom.
“A couple years later I decided I don’t really like the environment of a hospital,” Smith said. “I don’t like what they have to deal with, and I changed my mind and went into dietetics and nutrition, but that was still in the hospital environment.”
Smith, who had resolved not to teach, changed her mind.
“Something kept telling me that I needed to be in education, and that’s how I was going to help others and serve others,” Smith said.
Smith taught nutrition in secondary schools before taking a job teaching culinary arts at West Monroe High School in West Monroe, Louisiana. She has also served as a school counselor.
She first came to the RCU as a curriculum writer, before being promoted to managerial positions over the RCU’s secondary curriculum and overall curriculum efforts. In 2008, she developed the state’s teacher academy curriculum. She was named assistant director in 2014. After Jordan’s departure, she was named the RCU’s interim director.
She named some of the RCU’s priorities under her leadership.
“We are continuing to lead some of the work for apprenticeships and work-based learning for high school students, so continuing that effort in the state with industry, opening doors for local schools, some of our focus is there and continuing the impact we have on new teachers in the career and technical education and innovative schools,” Smith said.
She said her first few weeks as president had gone well, but it was one of the busiest times of the year for the RCU.
“Our group at the RCU is fantastic, “Smith said. “They’ve got everything taken care of. We’re also in the midst of hiring new (staff). We’ve got people retiring, and people are trying to get back in the door, so it’s a great time.”