Park University Announces Shane Smeed as its Eighteenth President
Shane B. Smeed Named 18th President of Park University
Shane B. Smeed, a seasoned higher education leader with over 23 years of experience, has been appointed as the 18th president of Park University, effective from January 1, 2022. Smeed has served as the interim president since late November 2020.
Before joining Park University, Smeed held leadership roles at DeVry University, where he served as president in Kansas City, Missouri for four years. Prior to that, he served as a vice president at Kaplan University (now Purdue University Global).
At Park University, Smeed has been a volunteer leader and board member for Synergy Services in Parkville, and before his recent role as interim president, he served as the vice president and chief operating officer since September 2015.
Smeed's tenure at Park University has been marked by his active involvement in shaping academic policies and fostering student success. He has provided strategic and tactical leadership to more than half of the University's staff in various departments.
Smeed's commitment to student success extends beyond Park University. He has participated in Harvard University's Institute for Educational Management program and is pursuing a doctoral degree in higher education administration from St. Louis University.
Smeed is honoured and humbled by his appointment, and he believes that Park University's motto, Fides et Labor, can inspire students, faculty, and staff to achieve all their goals. He is committed to earning recognition from faculty and staff as an employer of choice and to leading a University that celebrates diversity.
Smeed's wife, Angela Smeed, owns and operates Angela Smeed Design LLC. In the Kansas City area, Smeed has held volunteer leadership and board roles with several organisations, including the Command and General Staff College Foundation at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and the Planning and Zoning Commission for the City of Parkville, Missouri.
Vince Clark, chair of the University's Board of Trustees, approved Smeed's appointment. Smeed and his wife have three children: Samantha, Andrew, and Landon.
As he takes on his new role as president, Smeed is committed to a "Park United" approach, fostering a sense of unity and inclusivity within the University community. He looks forward to leading Park University into a bright future.
Shane Smeed's pursuit of a doctoral degree in higher education administration from St. Louis University falls under the category of education-and-self-development. Additionally, the general-news about his ongoing involvement in various organizations and his appointment as the 18th president of Park University provides insights into his leadership role within the field of education.
