Pittsburg, Calif. – Los Medanos College is pleased to announce A’kilah Smith as vice president of instruction, effective Jan. 1, 2025. The announcement comes after a nationwide search and following Smith’s interim service since August 2023.
“With a focus on advancing student success, equity, and inclusion, Dr. Smith has dedicated her career to college and community leadership,” LMC President Pamela Ralston said. “In her previous roles at LMC, she has been influential in building up math and science programs and student learning communities, all of which have contributed to our culture of excellence.”
The vice president of instruction oversees more than 90 academic and career training programs, early college credit courses, more than 100 full-time faculty, about 270 adjunct faculty and about a dozen employees who provide academic support.
“I’m looking forward to making meaningful progress on closing the achievement gap for traditionally underrepresented students and connecting with our community, so LMC is seen as the No. 1 choice for education and training,” Smith said. “I’m focused on strengthening our campus culture with greater opportunities for students to work directly with expert instructors, lab coordinators, librarians and other academic support staff to achieve academic success.”
Smith previously spent 15 years at LMC, from 2002 to 2017, during which time she: worked as a mathematics professor, interim dean of Liberal Arts, and dean of Mathematics & Sciences; and held leadership roles, including Academic Senate president, Math Department chair, Umoja Scholars Program coordinator, and faculty research lead for the Faculty Inquiry Network Grant.
After her first stint at LMC, she worked six years as an educational consultant in Georgia. She then returned to California to serve as director of curriculum development & training for Youth UpRising, an East Oakland nonprofit focused on youth empowerment through enhanced physical and mental wellbeing, community connection, educational attainment, and career success.
Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Spelman College, a master’s degree in mathematics from Howard University, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Saint Mary’s College of California.
About Los Medanos College (LMC): LMC is one of three colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District, serving the East Contra Costa County community. Established in 1974, LMC has earned federal designations as a Minority-Serving and Hispanic-Serving institution. It offers award-winning transfer and career-technical programs, support services, and diverse academic opportunities in an inclusive learning environment. With exceptional educators, innovative curriculum, growing degree and certificate offerings, and state-of-the-art facilities, the college prepares students to succeed in their educational pursuits, in the workforce, and beyond. LMC’s Pittsburg Campus is located on 120 acres bordering Antioch, with an additional education center in Brentwood.
