NC A&T Names Kecia Smith Permanent Dean of Business College

Kecia Smith, also recorded in some institutional notices as Kecia Williams Smith, was named permanent dean of the Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics at North Carolina A&T State University on January 2, 2026, after serving in the role on an interim basis. Smith is an alumna of A&T and has an established faculty record at the university, credentials university leaders cited when confirming the transition from interim to permanent leadership.

Smith's interim tenure emphasized building industry partnerships, expanding workforce development efforts, and elevating the college's business programs. Those priorities were listed among the reasons leadership approved the appointment, positioning the college to deepen ties with local employers and serve as a pipeline of talent for Guilford County businesses. Campus leadership reacted positively to the decision, framing the hire as a move to reinforce momentum in program alignment with labor-market needs.

The decision carries local significance because North Carolina A&T is one of Guilford County's largest public institutions and a major source of trained professionals, research collaboration, and economic activity. A permanent dean with prior institutional experience reduces transition risk for ongoing initiatives that connect students with internships, employer partnerships, and workforce training, and it may help the college secure new partnerships or funding tied to program stability.

For students and local employers, Smith's stated priorities suggest a focus on practical outcomes: curriculum responsive to industry needs, expanded opportunities for experiential learning, and intensified outreach to regional employers. For county policymakers and economic developers, the appointment offers a chance to leverage university assets in talent development, aligning workforce programs with sectors seeking skilled graduates.

Accountability will shape assessment of Smith's tenure. Community stakeholders will likely monitor measurable outcomes such as graduate job-placement rates, internship and apprenticeship placements, employer engagement levels, and external research or partnership funding. Transparent reporting of these metrics will be critical for residents and local leaders evaluating whether college initiatives translate into workforce gains for Guilford County.

Smith steps into the permanent role with existing familiarity with the college and partnerships she helped advance as interim dean. Her leadership will be tested on converting interim accomplishments into sustained program growth and demonstrable benefits for students and local employers. The coming months will reveal how the college leverages that continuity to meet Guilford County's workforce and economic development needs.