News

Keep Up With Brad D. Smith

“My Last Name” Podcast Features Brad D. Smith

March 27, 2023

Brad D. Smith joined Robert Slagel on the “My Last Name” podcast to discuss what good leadership looks like, the value in celebrating your heritage, the importance of authenticity and the grit of Appalachia’s people. “My Last Name” focuses on the successes of Appalachians and tells the stories of their accomplishments. Listen to the episode by clicking the link below.

Read Article

Brad D. Smith Featured on Daily304

February 23, 2023

Brad D. Smith was recently featured on a segment of the daily304’s YouTube channel called Innovators and Entrepreneurs, a bi-weekly series that shares news and opportunities pertaining to West Virginia. Brad sat down with host Andy Malinoski to discuss the recent progress and success of Ascend West Virginia and the Wing 2 Wing Foundation. Throughout the segment, Brad expanded on Ascend WV’s growth thus far and the confidence he has in its future.

Read Article

Brad D. Smith Elected to Humana Board of Directors

January 31, 2023

In September 2022, Humana announced that Brad D. Smith was elected to the company’s Board of Directors. Brad’s impressive tenure as an executive leader, and his more recent role as President of Marshall University, bring a unique perspective to the Humana Board. Humana Chairman of the Board, Kurt J. Hilzinger, stated, “Brad’s deep operating experience and ability to innovate across all organizational layers, while also being mission and customer driven, will be vital as Humana continues to grow its core Medicare Advantage business, drive operational efficiencies, and mature and further integrate its healthcare services offerings.” Read more about Brad joining the Humana Board by clicking the link below.

Read Article

The Investiture of Brad D. Smith as the 38th President of Marshall University

September 16, 2022 - Marshall University News

Brad D. Smith was invested as Marshall University’s 38th president during a ceremony on September 16, 2022. Although he initially came into the role in January, the investiture marked the official beginning of his presidency and the continuation of Brad’s commitment to Marshall. Keeping with a theme of “time,” Brad discussed his vision for the future of the university, stating: “The time to act is now. Change can happen to us, change can happen through us. It is our choice and we have chosen not to waste this time. In fact, Marshall is prepared to lead the way. We’ve been busy working across the campus to chart the course for the next chapter of great for Marshall University and play our part in the state of West Virginia.” Born in Kenova, West Virginia, Brad is a proud advocate for the betterment of the Mountain State. His presidency will focus on expanding the definition of education and inspiring the desire to learn among prospective students. Watch a video of the ceremony by clicking the link below.

Read Article

Brad D. Smith Speaks With Protocol on His Shift From Tech to Higher Education

August 30, 2022

In a recent interview with the news website Protocol, Brad D. Smith discusses his transition from Silicon Valley executive to higher education leader. In the piece, he shares what inspired him to return to West Virginia, some of the steps he took to prepare for the interview process, and what it was like to come home and begin this new journey. Read the full interview by clicking the link below.

Read Article

Brad D. Smith Hosts Fireside Chat With Literacy Advocate Dolly Parton

August 23, 2022

Aside from her fame as a musician, Dolly Parton has also become renowned for her child literacy project: the Imagination Library. The program gifts participants (children ages birth to 5 years) one free book per month and recently expanded to include all 55 counties in West Virginia. To celebrate the statewide expansion, Brad hosted a fireside chat with Dolly to discuss the inspiration behind her Imagination Library and what it means to be an Appalachia native — a quality that the two have in common. Watch a video of the chat by clicking the link below.

Read Article

Brad D. Smith on Wing 2 Wing’s Donation to Fairfield U

June 3, 2022

Through their nonprofit organization, the Wing 2 Wing Foundation, Brad D. Smith and his wife Alys recently donated $60,000 to Fairfield U — a mentorship program for children and teens in the Fairfield neighborhood of Huntington. The donation will fund the program for the next two to three years, granting high school students exposure to a variety of professions and industries. In reference to the importance of the work the organization is doing, Brad supplied the following comment: “People need to see themselves in the next opportunity to believe it’s possible.”

Read Article

Brad D. Smith Encourages Marshall University Alumni to Pay it Forward

May 27, 2022

Since taking office as Marshall University’s President in January 2022, Brad D. Smith has constantly been looking for ways to give back to the Marshall community. In response, on May 13, 2022, the university announced an exciting new initiative titled “Community Cares Week: Giving Back to the Herd.” The program, currently scheduled to take place from June 20–24, encourages all members of the #MarshallUFamily to volunteer their efforts to help improve the campus. “I’m excited to welcome volunteers to return home to our beautiful campus, work side by side and leave the place better than we found it,” Brad said.

Read Article

WVU’s Gordon Gee and Brad D. Smith Partner to Invest in West Virginia Economy

May 4, 2022

In an article from Chamber Magazine, published by the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, West Virginia University President Gordon Gee spoke of the efforts and initiatives toward growing the local community. The article also discussed Gee’s partnership and friendship with Brad D. Smith, and how the two have worked together in their shared goals of developing West Virginia’s economy. Their work together has included a donation by Brad and his wife Alys to WVU to fund the Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative in support of improving the Mountain State. Ascend West Virginia is the remote worker program within the collaborative, which aims to grow the population of young talent in the state.

Read Article

Brad D. Smith is Chosen as Marshall University’s 38th President

November 1, 2021

During a Marshall University Board of Governors meeting on Thursday, October 28, it was announced that Brad D. Smith has been chosen as the University’s 38th president. Brad accepted the position saying, “As a humble son of Marshall University, I am honored to be selected to serve as the University’s 38th President. This is a privilege of a lifetime and I am looking forward to this journey.”

Read Article

Brad D. Smith Discusses Ascend West Virginia on Good Morning America

October 25, 2021

On a travel segment of Good Morning America aired on October 22, 2021, Brad D. Smith shared his West Virginia roots and inspiration behind the Ascend West Virginia program. The story covered how the program came to be and featured a number of chosen applicants who discussed their transition to the Mountain State.

Read Article

Brad D. Smith is Selected as Finalist for Marshall University Presidency

October 8, 2021

On September 30, 2021, Marshall University announced that following a national search, Brad D. Smith has been selected as one of the five finalists being considered for the university’s 38th president. The announcement came from Marshall University’s Board of Governors who shared information on both the search process and the final candidates.

Read Article

Interested in learning more
about Brad?

Get In Touch