Steven D Smith

About Steven D Smith

I work at the intersection of higher education law, student conduct, and institutional compliance, helping institutions translate complex policies into fair, consistent practices that actually work in real-world settings.As Co-Founder of The Association for Academic & Professional Development (TAAPD), I create training content for students and faculty on topics like AI literacy, academic integrity, and procedural fairness. At TAAPD, our goal is to mitigate institutional risk, strengthen compliance protocols, and build shared understanding through accessible, scalable solutions – without overburdening the professionals already doing the work.Previously, I served as a Judicial Law Clerk for the U.S. District Court, Northern District of West Virginia. I spent six years as Assistant Director of Student Conduct at West Virginia University, leading complex case investigations and collaborating with faculty on due process and policy alignment.I’ve spent more than a decade in higher ed administration across public, private, and religious institutions, serving in a variety of roles. I specialize in topics like AI literacy, Title IX, academic integrity enforcement, and risk mitigation strategy, helping institutions stay compliant while adapting to today’s evolving cultural landscape.

Experience

1. Co-founder

   The Association For Academic And Professional Development Taapd

   Mar 2025 — Present

   Co-founded an education and compliance training firm serving colleges and universities nationwide- Design and develop effective, engaging, scalable training programs on AI literacy, academic integrity policy, and procedural fairness for students and faculty across U.S. colleges and universities- Draw on 12+ years of higher education leadership and legal expertise to ensure TAAPD’s programs are relevant, legally sound, and practically implementable across diverse institutional types- Collaborate with faculty, administrators, and student affairs teams to build training that drives real behavior change without overburdening staff or infrastructure- Consult with institutions on risk mitigation strategies, helping align internal conduct protocols with evolving higher ed legal standards and federal guidance.

Education

• Watchung Regional High School

  High School Diploma, High School/Secondary Diplomas and Certificates

  2002 — 2006

• Northeastern University

  Master of Education (M.Ed.), Higher Education/Higher Education Administration

  2012 — 2013

• Youngstown State University

  MBA - in Healthcare Administration, Healthcare Administration

• West Virginia University College of Law

  Doctor of Law - JD

• Temple University

  B.A, Psychology and Political Science

  2006 — 2010

Skills

• Program Development
• Higher Education
• Westlaw
• Conflict Resolution
• Student Affairs
• Admissions
• Student Development
• Academic Advising
• Public Speaking
• Fundraising
• Nonprofits
• Training
• Volunteer Management
• Teaching
• Lexisnexis
• Community Outreach
• Editing