Providence College names new provost after national search of nearly 90 candidates

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Providence College announced Dr. Thomas Smith as the school’s new provost and senior vice president for academic affairs on Monday.

Dr. Smith was selected from a pool of almost 90 applicants in a national search, coming from Catholic University of America (CUA) and will officially join PC on July 1.

Dr. Smith has been Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at CUA since 2020 and is also a professor in the Department of Politics.

Prior to his time at CUA, Dr. Smith held numerous positions at Villanova University over his 20 years at the school, starting as an assistant professor of political science in 2000.

Also at Villanova, he served as the Founding Chair of the Department of Humanities starting in 2003, Associate Dean for Humanities in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Director of the University Honors Program.

Smith’s own education includes a bachelor’s from Georgetown University, a master’s from CUA and a Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame.

“I’m honored by the confidence President Sicard has shown in inviting me to become Providence College’s next provost,” Smith said.

“Throughout the search process I was struck by the hospitality and pride of the Friar family. So it is an honor and privilege to be called to serve our community in this role.”