As the university’s chief advancement officer, Smith will direct fundraising, corporate and foundation relations, and donor stewardship. She will also manage the critical relationship between the institution and the UAPB Foundation. Chancellor Anthony Graham noted that Smith’s deep knowledge of the Arkansas philanthropic landscape and her track record in building donor relationships will be vital as the university pursues national preeminence.
In section Releases
Kristi Smith Named Vice Chancellor for Advancement at UAPB
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff has appointed Kristi L. Smith as its new vice chancellor for institutional advancement, effective November 9, 2026. Bringing nearly two decades of experience in higher education fundraising and alumni relations, Smith will join the Chancellor’s Executive Cabinet to oversee the university’s philanthropic development strategy.
Smith arrives from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where she currently serves as associate vice chancellor for alumni and development. Her tenure there included a leadership role in the institution’s $250 million Centennial Campaign, which has successfully reached $248 million. Among her achievements, she led initiatives that boosted faculty and staff giving participation by 15 percent and generated over $1 million for student scholarships through the Taste of Little Rock program. Her career also includes a nine-year tenure at AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, where she was recognized as a top-performing sales professional, as well as administrative roles at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
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