Aguilar-Smith Joins the McBee Institute

The Louise McBee Institute of Higher Education is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Stephanie Aguilar-Smith as assistant professor of higher education effective July 1, 2025. She joins the McBee Institute from the University of North Texas, where she has served on faculty since 2021.  

Dr. Aguilar-Smith's research focuses on higher education policy, organization, and governance with particular attention to Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Latinx experiences in higher education, and grant-seeking and implementation in the collegiate context.  

“Dr. Aguilar-Smith brings significant scholarly expertise that both aligns with and extends our existing teaching, research, and outreach efforts,” said McBee IHE Director Erik Ness. He continued, “Her policy-relevant research and her thoughtful and engaging approach to teaching, advising, and mentoring are welcome additions to the McBee Institute.” 

Dr. Aguilar-Smith is highly recognized in the field of higher education, as is evident by her receipt of the 2024 Mildred E. Garcia Award for Exemplary Scholarship, presented by the Association for the Study of Higher Education’s Council on Ethnic Participation.  

Before joining the University of North Texas, she worked at several research universities in a variety of areas including enrollment management, academic counseling, program development and evaluation, and writing center administration. 

Now, she reflects on her journey to the McBee Institute. “Nearly two decades ago, I started my college education at the University of Georgia as a curious 18-year-old. Across this campus, I learned about the world and questioned my place within it as well as discovered higher education as both a place of study and a place of work,” said Dr. Aguilar-Smith. 

“Yet, this is not only where I fell into higher education, but it’s also where I fell in love with it. Grateful for these roots, I am overjoyed to be joining the McBee Institute of Higher Education as a faculty member this upcoming fall. It’s a wondrous, if unexpected, homecoming,” she continued. 

Dr. Aguilar-Smith earned her Ph.D. in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Administration from Michigan State University. She also holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees from the University of Georgia.