MMUF Coordinator Roland Smith Receives Namesake Award from American Association of Blacks in Higher Education

Roland Smith, veteran coordinator of the MMUF program at Rice University, was recently honored by the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education as the first recipient of an achievement award named after him. The AABHE's Dr. Roland B. Smith Jr. Leadership Award recognizes Dr. Smith's lifetime commitment to the advancement of minority students and his leadership in multiple roles at Rice, including his current ones as associate provost of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, adjunct professor of sociology, and MMUF coordinator. He has also played a critical role in developing the AABHE itself, including a term as its president. As his longtime colleagues and friends, the MMUF staff at Mellon are delighted to see his contributions publicly recognized by the AABHE and Rice. Warm congratulations, Roland!