Dr. Yolander Smith

Yolander Albert Smith is currently the Director of SU Online. Her role is to manage and grow the online program offerings on the Southern University Baton Rouge campus. She is also responsible for developing a technology talent pipeline of Southern University students and alumni for industry career and to develop long-term technology curriculum enhancements at the university. She is also the Corporate and Community Liaison for the LAABSET Initiative at the Southern University Law Center. Prior to returning to her alma mater for this role, Yolander had an extensive career in technology, human resources, career consulting, business development and higher education.

Smith’s career has included corporate and university leadership roles at Procter and Gamble, Wachovia Bank, Kurt Salmon Associates, INROADS, Inc. Duke University, Rice University Jones Graduate School of Business, North Carolina Central University, and the National Black MBA Association. She is also the owner of Albert Career Consultants, a professional service firm specializing in leadership coaching, university admissions, career development and diversity recruiting with clients including Stanford University School of Medicine, Rice University Jones Graduate School of Business, and Ivy Gate International Global Admissions Company.

Yolander has been a national conference speaker and training facilitator at the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the MBA Career Services and Employers Association, the National Football League Retired Players Association, Victoria’s Secret Diversity Recruiting Department and the Boston Red Sox Internship Development Program. She has also served on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Women’s Center and taught as an adjunct professor at North Carolina Central University.

Smith is a graduate of Leadership Houston and the Center for Creative Leadership in North Carolina. She earned a Master of Science in Public Administration from Georgia State University and a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy from the Nelson Mandela School of Government and Social Sciences at Southern University. Her community involvement includes the Southern University Alumni Federation, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Susan G. Komen Foundation, Sisters Network, National Black MBA Association, The Fort Bend Church and Women in Energy.

Yolander is married to Watkins C. Smith and they are the parents of two children, Karter and Eva Smith.