Gail Smith
Professor
Classics
Location: 2157 Boylan Hall
Phone: 718.951.5000 x3564
Fax: 718.951.4765
Email:
Gail Smith received her B.A. from Montclair State University and an M.A. from Columbia University in Latin and Greek. Her doctoral thesis was entitled, "The Importance of Miracle to the Religious Faith of Plutarch of Chaeronea." In addition to teaching Latin and Greek and conducting research, she served as acting chair of the Classics Department in spring 2010, and from 1995-2013 served as acting assistant provost at the Graduate Center while principal investigator for the NSF/AGEP, NSF/SBES and NIH/Bridges programs. In 1991 Smith was appointed founding director of the CUNY Pipeline Program, holding the position until 2007. From 1995 to 2007 she served as director for the Office of Educational Opportunity and Diversity Programs (OEODP) at the Graduate Center, receiving in excess of $11 million in external institutional grants to support initiatives to broaden the participation of doctoral underrepresented minorities in STEM and SBES fields.
Education:
Ph.D., New York University - 1972 (Classics)
Areas of Expertise:
Research interests include ancient drama (e.g., Roman Comedy and Attic Tragedy); the religious philosophy of Plutarch; relationships among Pagans, Christians and Jews in the first-second centuries CE, during the time of Plutarch; African American writers and Classical Antiquity.
Books and Publications
Written proposal won the Graduate Center's CGS/Peterson's Award, a version of which was later published as "A Structural Methodology: Minority Recruitment and Retention at the Doctoral Level." CGS Communicator XXIX.3, March, with Pamela Trotman Reid. (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 1995
Awards, Honors and Fellowships
As principal investigator, wrote and submitted the Project Outcomes Reports (POR) and the Final Reports for both the NSF AGEP (Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate) Program and NSF AGEP CUNY MAA Program, designed to diversify the STEM and SBES professoriate. Total amount of external institutional funding from NSF, NIH, DOE totaled $11,587,970. 1995-2013. (Grants and Fellowships) 2013
National Science Foundation grant, for "AGEP SBES Alliance- CUNY/Michigan Alliance," to broaden participation in the social, behavioral and economic sciences in doctoral programs and in the professoriate. $317,440; 2007-10. (Grants and Fellowships) 2007
National Institutes of Health grant, for "Bridges to the Doctorate," to increase the number of members of underrepresented groups in master's science programs who enter doctoral programs and gain the doctorate in prerparation for a career in biomedical research. Partners include Brooklyn, City, Hunter, Lehman and Queens Colleges, College of Staten Island, CUNY Graduate Center and CUNY Central. $547,503; 2006-08. (Grants and Fellowships) 2006
National Science Foundation grant, for "Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate," to increase the number of members of underrepresented groups who enrol in the social, behavioral and economic sciences; gain a doctoral degree; and enter the professoriate. CUNY is lead institution in partnership with the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Wayne State University. $789,548; 2005-08. (Grants and Fellowships) 2005
National Science Foundation grant, for "Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate," to increase the number of members of underrepresented groups who enroll in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields; gain a doctorate;and enter the professoriate. CUNY is lead institution in an alliance with the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Polytechnic University and Stevens Institute of Technology. $6,000,000; 2004-09. (Grants and Fellowships) 2004
City University of New York Diversity Projects Development Fund, to present a "Seminar on Mentoring" under the NSF/AGEP Program and facilitated by Dr. Howard Adams. $1,100. (Grants and Fellowships) 2003
National Institutes of Health grant, for "Bridges to the Doctorate," to increase the number of members from underrepresented groups in science master's programs who enter doctoral programs and gain the doctorate in preparation for a career in biomedical research. Participating CUNY institutions include Brooklyn, City, Hunter, Lehman and Queens colleges, College of Staten Island, CUNY Graduate Center and CUNY Central. $600,000; 2002-05. (Grants and Fellowships) 2002
Irene Diamond Fund, for "CUNY Pipeline Program for Careers in College Teaching and Research," a CUNY-wide undergraduate program designed to increase the number of members from underrepresented groups who pursue doctoral studies in preparation for a career in the academy. Principal investigator and program director. $237,387; 2001-04. (Grants and Fellowships) 2001
National Institutes of Health grant, for "Bridges to the Doctorate," to increase the number of members of underrepresented groups in master's science programs who enter doctoral programs and gain the doctorate in preparation for a career in biomedical research. Participating institutions include Brooklyn, City, Hunter, Lehman and Queens colleges, CUNY Graduate Center and CUNY Central. $301,814; 1999-2002. (Grants and Fellowships) 1999
National Science Foundation grant, for "Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate," to increease the number of members of underrepresented groups in the sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics who gain the doctorate and enter the professoriate. CUNY is the lead institution in a partnership with the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Polytechnic University and Stevens Institute of Technology. $2,500,000; 1999-2004. (Grants and Fellowships) 1999
National Institutes of Health grant, for "Bridges to the Doctorate," to increase the number of science master's students from members of underrepresented groups who enter doctorate programs and gain the doctorate in preparation for a career in biomedical research and the professoriate. Participating institutions include Brooklyn, City, Hunter, Lehman and Queens colleges, College of Staten Island, the CUNY Graduate Center and CUNY Central. $503,065; 1996-99. (Grants and Fellowships) 1996
Principal investigator, U.S. Department of Education: CUNY Pipeline Program for College Teaching and Research, Summer Institute in Mathematics and Science--a CUNY-wide undergraduate program designed to increase the number of members of underrepresented groups who pursue doctoral studies in science and mathematics in preparation for a career in college teaching and research. $28,600; June-July. (Grants and Fellowships) 1994
Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums
"Effective Mentoring" panel. Junior Faculty Professional Development Conference, sponsored by NSF and the Southern Regional Education Board as part of the 2013 Institute on Teaching and Mentoring. Arlington, Va. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2013
"Promoting Faculty Diversity at CUNY Through the NSF AGEP (Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate) Program" panel moderator with professors Sophia Suarez (Physics) and Anthony Clement (Mathematics), and gave a PowerPoint presentation describing program activities and data on program outcomes. First CUNY Faculty Diversity and Inclusion Conference. CUNY Graduate Center. New York. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2013
"Zora Neale Hurston and the Uses of Mythology." Purdue University. West Lafayette, Ind.
(Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2007
"Phillis Wheatley and the Classical Tradition." Sponsored by the Institute for Research on the African Diaspora in the Americas and the Caribbean. CUNY Graduate Center. New York. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2006
"Rhetorical Techniques in Plutarch's 'Table Talk.'" American Philological Association Annual Meeting. Montreal. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2006
PowerPoint presentation on the CUNY NSF/AGEP (Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate) Program at the Joint Annual WEPAN/NAMPEA (Women in Engineering Programs & Advocates Network/National Association of Multicultural Engineering Program Administrators) Conference, held in Las Vegas.
(Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2005
PowerPoint presentation on the CUNY Pipeline Program at the Joint Annual NSF Meeting for Principal investigators and Program Directors. Washngton, D.C. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2005
PowerPoint presentation on the CUNY Pipeline Program. Strategies for Increasing the Number of Doctorates in the Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences Awarded to Underrepresented Minorities Panel, 14th Annual Quality Education for Minorities/Minorities in Science and Engineering National Conference. Washington, D.C. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Contributed Talk) 2005
Presentation on the CUNY NIH/Bridges to the Doctorate Program. The Success of Bridges Programs in Expanding the Pool of Researchers Panel, Sixth Annual Miniority Access National Role Models Conference. Las Vegas. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Contributed Talk) 2005
"Plutarch and Early Roman History: The 'Romulus' as a Case in Point." American Philological Association Annual Meeting. New Orleans. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2003
"The Ethiopians and Greek Epic: Memnon at Troy." Sponsored by the Institute for Research on the African Diaspora in the Americas and the Caribbean. CUNY Graduate Center. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2003
"Plutarch's Statesman and Friendship: Theory and Practice," Sixth International Congress of the International Plutarch Society. Hernen Castle, near Nijimegen, the Netherlands. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2002
"The African Ethiopian Presence in Ancient Greece and Rome." Sponsored by the Institute for Research on the African Diaspora. CUNY Graduate Center. New York. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2002
"The CUNY Report." Innovations in Minority Recruitment and Lessons Learned From the Leaders: Reports From Past Peterson's Award Winners Panel. 41st Annual Meeting of the Council of Graduate Schools. San Diego. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Contributed Talk) 2001
"Exalting in Greco-Roman Myth: Zora Neale Hurston at Age Seven." Keynote speaker. Fifth Annual Women's Studies Conference: [Re] presenting Woman. Valdosta State University. Valdosta, Ga. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2000
"Exalting in Greco-Roman Myth: Zora Neale Hurston at Age Seven." Sponsored by the Classical Association of the Atlantic States. University of Maryland. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 1999
"Ethiopian Elements in Ancient Drama." Sponsored by the Faculty-Student Diversity Committee Conference. CUNY Graduate Center. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 1998
Respondent on panel, "Approaches to Teaching Multiculturalism in the Classics." American Philological Association Annual Meeting. Washington, D.C. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Contributed Talk) 1998
Smith, Gail and Pamela Trotman Reid, "Minority Issues: Creating Environments of Support." Council of Graduate Schools Summer Workshop. Denver. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 1996
Professional Leadership
Departmental Appointments Committee
BC Search Committee for Provost
School Faculty Council Representative (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2018
Member, External Advisory Committee for the BP ENDURE Program at Hunter College and NYU, funded by NIH, to prepare undergraduates from diverse backgrounds to enter and succeed in Ph.D. programs in the neurosciences. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2014
Member, Planning Committee, 2015 CUNY Faculty Diversity and Inclusion Conference, sponsored by CUNY and set for March 2015 at the CUNY Graduate Center, 2014-15. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2014
Organized the 16th Annual STEM Conference, a Research/Careers Symposium sponsored by the NSF CUNY AGEP (Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate) Program, at the CUNY Graduate Center. To provide information on postdoctoral and career preparation. Presenters included colleagues from the American Association for the Advancement of Science, National Postdoctoral Association, Brookhaven National Laboratories, and the National Science Foundation. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2013
Served on the NSF Review Panel for the SBE (Social, Behavioral, Economics) Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program, Arlington, Va. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2013
As principal investigator at the lead institution in the AGEP SBES Alliance, partnering with the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Wayne State University, organized the 3rd Annual NSF AGEP National Conference for the Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences, April 21-23, CUNY Graduate Center, New York. Attended by NSF and AAAS officials, faculty and students from across the country. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2008
Panel moderator, NSF/AGEP Evaluation Capacity Meeting, Puerto Rico. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2006
Member, National Science Foundation Advisory Committee for the National AGEP Program in the Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences, 2005- present. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2005
Member, National Science Foundation Panel to review the AGEP Programs at SUNY and Rice University in Reverse Site Visits, at NSF Headquarters, Arlington, Va. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2005
Member, The Graduate School Steering Committee and the Subcommittee on Outcomes Assessment for the Middle States Periodic Review. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2004
Program coordinator, NSF/Bridges to the Doctorate Program under the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Program, 2003-present. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2003
Member, Review Panel for Graduate Faculty Teaching Award, Northeastern Association of Graduate Schools. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2002
Member, The Graduate Center Search Committee for the Vice President for Student Affairs. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2002
Member, Advisory Committee for the Compact for Faculty Diversity, Southern Region Education Board. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2001
Member, Progam Review Committee for the Educational Opportunity Program, at SUNY Binghamton. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2001
Member, The Graduate Center Search Committee for the Director of Institutional Research and Program Review. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2001
Review panelist, National Endowment for the Humanities Challenge Grants. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2001
Member, American Philological Association Committee on Minority Scholarships, 1999-2004. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 1999
Member, Steering Committee for the New York City Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Program, 1998-present. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 1998
Member, The Graduate Center Steering Committee and the Working Groups on Curriculum and on Student Affairs for the Middle States Review, 1998-2000. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 1998
Member, Provost's Benchmarks Committee, CUNY Graduate Center. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 1997
Member, The Graduate Center Comittee on Diversity, 1997-99. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 1997
Member, Brooklyn College Graduate Tuition Fellowship Committee. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 1990
Member, Five-Year Steering Plan Committee, Brooklyn College. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 1990
Recording secretary, Brooklyn College Faculty Council Committee on Course and Standing. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 1989
Chairwoman, Brooklyn College Faculty Subcommittee on Promotion. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 1988
Member, Classics Department Promotions Committee. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 1988
Chairwoman, Brooklyn College Committee on Basic Skills. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 1985
Chairwoman, Brooklyn College Self-Study Group on Remedial and Developmental Education for the Middle States Evaluation. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 1985
Other Professional Activities
Adviser to Ph.D. student in classics on doctoral thesis on Plutarch. 2005
Contributed to the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) three-volume series, Inclusiveness, published as one of a number of CGS publications. 2003
