Her Story
About Kim F.
Kim F. Smith is an educator and instructor in management at Alabama State University in Montgomery, Alabama, where she has served in higher education for approximately 18 years. Her path to academia followed an earlier professional career spanning business, health, retail, administrative roles, and modeling, before transitioning into education after relocating to Alabama. She began working at the university in an administrative capacity and later moved into teaching, starting as an adjunct in the College of Business and advancing to instructor.
Smith holds an MBA in Business Administration and Executive Leadership from Wesley College and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management from Governors State University. She is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Alabama, with completion expected in December 2027. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she has co-authored Training the Next Generation of Leaders with DeShannon McDonal and published scholarly work on topics such as workplace behavior and organizational issues.
Beyond the classroom, Smith is actively engaged in student development and leadership programming. She serves as advisor for campus organizations including the Collegiate 100 chapter under 100 Black Men of America, contributes to initiatives with the Society for Education and Professional Development, and has supported Women in Finance as a lead advisor. Her work emphasizes preparing students for professional success through mentorship, experiential learning, and leadership development, guided by core values of faith, family, integrity, and service.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kim F.
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to embracing life’s unexpected opportunities and remaining open to change throughout my professional journey. Although I initially aspired to become a journalist, I shifted my career path after recognizing the realities of the field and explored opportunities in business and other industries before discovering my true calling in education through an adjunct teaching role at Alabama State University’s College of Business, which became the catalyst for my 18-year career in higher education. Today, I serve as a professor, Ph.D. candidate at the University of North Alabama, advisor to organizations including Collegiate 100 and Women in Finance, published researcher, and co-author of Training the Next Generation of Leaders, and I attribute my success to lifelong learning, perseverance, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace new challenges, with my greatest fulfillment coming from seeing students grow into confident, ethical leaders who positively impact their communities.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is to always do the right thing, even when no one is watching, and I have carried this principle throughout my career as a guiding standard for both personal and professional decision-making. Rooted in faith, integrity, and strong ethical values, I have learned that lasting success is built on character rather than circumstance, and I believe that a reputation for honesty and professionalism is one of the most valuable assets a leader can possess.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering my industry is to remain persistent and confident even when facing challenges such as being overlooked, silenced, or navigating difficult workplace dynamics, and to continue moving forward with purpose and resilience. I strongly emphasize the importance of networking and building relationships with people who can advocate for you in spaces where you are not present, while also viewing setbacks as lessons rather than limitations. I encourage women to trust their preparation during seasons of waiting, to continue developing their skills, and to pursue opportunities others may avoid in order to gain visibility and growth.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest opportunities in my field today include the increasing access for women to leadership roles in higher education, business, and organizational leadership, but I also recognize that success requires courage, intentional relationship-building, and consistent visibility. While challenges still exist as women advance into senior leadership, I believe mentorship and strong professional communities are essential for overcoming barriers and sustaining progress. By supporting one another, leading with integrity, and committing to continuous growth, I believe women can continue transforming education and expanding opportunities for future generations.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are faith, family, integrity, and service, and I strive to consistently uphold them in every decision I make. I believe in doing the right thing regardless of circumstance, even when it is difficult or unseen, and I hold myself accountable to the principle that character is revealed in both public and private actions.
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