Dean's Chat host, Dr. Jeffrey Jensen, is joined by Dr. Kevin Smith, who is the Dean at the Des Moines University – College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery. No stranger to academics, Dr. Smith received his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine Degree in 1995. He returned to Des Moines in 1998 and has played a prominent role in making the College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery a top program in the country! He also received his Master of Science in Education from Drake University in 2007 and received his Ph.D. in Educational Administration – Higher Education Leadership, from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2014. A great discussion regarding academic priorities, a student-first philosophy, and having a podiatric medical curriculum integrated into the College of Osteopathic Medicine for the basic science courses.
In this episode of Dean's Chat, Dr. Smith shares his journey to becoming a student in podiatric medicine, starting with his experience as a track athlete and accounting major. However, after encountering cost accounting, he realized he didn't want to pursue a career in accounting. It was during his mother's bunion surgery that he became interested in podiatric medicine. Tune in to hear more about Dr. Smith's path to becoming a leader in the profession.
Dr. Smith brings a unique skill set to the field of podiatric medical education with his Masters and Ph.D. His educational background has greatly influenced his leadership style and thought process. During his doctoral work at the University of Nebraska, Dr. Smith focused on student services and gained valuable insights through courses on strategic planning. This knowledge is particularly valuable in navigating the complex world of podiatric medical education, which involves collaboration with other academic institutions, accrediting bodies, and professional organizations.
Dr. Smith also stresses the importance of continually assessing one's performance in academics and athletics. Just as educators assess their curriculum to identify areas for improvement, individuals need to assess their own performance to identify areas of growth. This further emphasizes the parallel between organization and planning in academics and athletics. Whether it's academic goals or athletic goals, having a plan in place helps individuals stay focused and work towards their desired outcomes.
Dr. Jensen and Dr. Smith also discuss the importance of being a conscientious leader and continuously evaluating and improving performance. They draw a parallel between this approach and developing a practice plan in athletics. Just as athletes identify areas for improvement and create a plan to address them, leaders in any field, including education, need to assess their performance and develop strategies for improvement.
