Just two years after earning his Bachelor of Arts from Princeton University in 1968, Peter Smith led the effort to design and establish The Community College of Vermont, now entering its 53rd year of operations, as a non-campus, community-based institution serving 10,000 learners in rural communities around the state. .

He also served as founding president of California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) from 1995 to 2005. Smith was responsible for building the university and guiding it through all stages of accreditation while raising nearly $100 million externally to academic buildings and programs. CSUMB is receiving national recognition for its service learning programs and its high economic mobility impact for its majority-minority student body.

After leaving Cal State Monterey Bay in 2005, Smith served as Assistant Director General for Education for the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization in Paris, France where he was responsible for more than 700 staff located in 30 countries.

Smith also served as Dean of the George Washington University Graduate School of Education and Human Development from 1991 to 1994 after serving his home state of Vermont as a state senator (1980-82), Lt. Governor (1982-86) and Congressman-at-Large. (1989-1990)

Now retired from Fulltime work, Smith currently serves on the following Boards

·        Distance Education Accreditation Commission

·        Association of Governing Boards – Senior Fellow

·        Member – Santa Fe Planning Commission