Gina Smith, DBA

Dr. Gina Smith is a dedicated educator, workforce development advocate, and Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) leader with more than a decade of experience preparing students for successful careers in logistics, supply chain management, manufacturing, and related industries. Currently serving as a Professional Educator with the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, she leads industry-focused pathways that equip students with practical skills, professional certifications, and career readiness. Prior to entering education, Dr. Smith spent 25 years in the automobile industry, advancing from entry-level positions to managing an entire dealership, bringing valuable real-world expertise into the classroom.

Committed to creating opportunities that transform lives, Dr. Smith partners with organizations such as Georgia Ports, Hyundai, Gulfstream Aerospace, and Savannah Technical College to align educational programs with workforce needs. She is a certified Forklift Trainer, OSHA Trainer, Reach Truck Trainer, Lean Six Sigma Trainer, and Certified Logistics Associate (CLA). Her passion for student success stems from her own experiences growing up in a single-parent household, where she witnessed the challenges of economic hardship firsthand. She believes education should prepare students for meaningful careers that can improve their long-term socioeconomic outcomes.

Dr. Smith earned her Bachelor's degree (2007) and Master's degree (2009) from Savannah State University, followed by a Doctor of Business Administration from South University in 2020. She is an active member of several professional organizations, including Women in Trucking, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), Georgia ACTE, Trade and Industrial Educators of Georgia, Top Ladies of Distinction, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Recognized as a 2026 ACTE Fellow, Dr. Smith considers her greatest achievement to be seeing students once labeled as “problem students” become successful professionals and leaders in their communities. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys technology, traveling, spending time with family, and supporting organizations such as the Economic Opportunity Association, Goodwill, and Step Up Savannah.