Rochelle Smith

Vice President, Diversity and Innovative Community Engagement

Professional Overview

Rochelle Smith is an accomplished diversity and inclusion executive with extensive experience driving impactful community engagement initiatives. As the Vice President of Diversity and Innovative Community Engagement at Saint Louis University, she leverages her expertise to promote equitable access and foster meaningful connections between the university and the surrounding communities.

Experience Summary

Current Role

As the Vice President of Diversity and Innovative Community Engagement at Saint Louis University, Rochelle is responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive strategies to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion across the institution. In this role, she collaborates closely with university leadership, faculty, staff, and students to identify and address barriers to marginalized groups, while also spearheading innovative community outreach programs that strengthen the university's ties with the local population.

Career Progression

Prior to her current position, Rochelle served as the Associate Dean and Associate Chief Diversity Officer at the Yale University School of Medicine, where she was instrumental in designing and executing diversity-focused initiatives that elevated the institution's commitment to inclusive excellence. Before that, she held the role of Assistant Provost for Diversity Initiatives at Washington University in St. Louis, where she led the development and implementation of university-wide diversity strategies. Rochelle also has extensive experience in the areas of summer programs and community outreach, having served as the Director and Manager of Diversity, Summer Programs and Community Outreach at the Washington University School of Medicine.

Academic Background

Rochelle holds a Bachelor's degree from a prestigious university, where she graduated with honors. She has also completed additional specialized training and certifications in diversity and inclusion management, further strengthening her expertise in this critical field.

Areas of Expertise

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy development and implementation

• Community engagement and outreach program design

• Collaborative leadership and cross-functional team management

• Innovative approaches to fostering inclusive campus environments

• Quantitative and qualitative data analysis to drive evidence-based decision-making

Professional Impact

Throughout her career, Rochelle has demonstrated a track record of success in driving meaningful change and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Her work has had a measurable impact on the institutions she has served, contributing to increased representation, improved access to resources, and enhanced sense of belonging among marginalized communities.

Conclusion

With her deep-rooted expertise, collaborative leadership style, and unwavering commitment to creating more equitable and inclusive environments, Rochelle Smith is poised to continue making a significant impact in her role as the Vice President of Diversity and Innovative Community Engagement at Saint Louis University.