Cindra J. Smith is recognized nationally for her expertise in governing boards and trustee development. Since 1988, she has served as director of education services for the Community College League of California, an association that serves the 72 boards of trustees and 108 colleges in that state. In that role, she authors education materials; develops professional and organizational development programs and services for community college trustees and CEOs; and consults with local districts and boards. Her skill areas include the art and nature of trusteeship, board evaluation and goal setting, Policy Governance, and board effectiveness.

In 2000, ACCT published her book, Community College Trusteeship: A Guide to Effective Governance. She has made presentations at numerous international, national and state conferences; published articles on many areas of trusteeship; and facilitated over 100 workshops and retreats.

Dr. Smith was based at college campuses from 1972 to 1988, holding positions as dean of counseling and student development at Sacramento City College; counselor/coordinator and instructor at Lake Tahoe Community College; academic counselor at California State University at Chico; and instructor at Butte Community College.

She holds a doctorate in community college leadership from the University of Texas at Austin; her dissertation was on John Carver’s Policy Governance model for governing boards. She holds a master of arts degree in psychology from California State University at Chico, and a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from University of California at Santa Barbara.