Chris Smith named vice chair of the National Postdoctoral Association’s board of directors
The National Postdoctoral Association has named Chris Smith vice chair of its board of directors. Smith, who leads Virginia Tech’s Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, will serve on the board for a one-year term.
In this leadership role, Smith will
- Manage the recruitment process for the chairs of membership committees, working to ensure that organizational goals for diversity are met in terms of demographics, research discipline, type and location of research institution and skill set
- Collaborate with the committee liaison to execute the committee chair recruitment process
- Facilitate coordination amongst committees of the membership and evaluate emerging needs for new committee charges
- Manage the establishment of ad-hoc task forces, workgroups, or other special interest sections to accomplish the work of the association in consultation with the strategic planning committee
- Develop the agenda for an annual committee leadership institute
- Have oversight of the chairs of the committees and hold virtual meetings six times per year
According to its website, the mission of the National Postdoctoral Association is to improve the postdoctoral experience by supporting a culture of inclusive connection. At the individual, organizational, and national levels, the association facilitates enhanced professional growth, raises awareness, and collaborates with stakeholders in the postdoctoral community.
In early 2022, Smith was appointed to his current role in the Office of Research and Innovation in an effort to continue to further improve the postdoctoral researcher experience and provide more assistance through a combination of building community, mentoring, and professional development. He also serves on the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Roundtable for Mentorship, Well-being, and Professional Development. Smith has helped successfully launch the Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowship program, the Research and Innovation Postdoctoral Scholar program, the Postdoctoral Associate Travel Award program, and numerous workshops and events.
