Randolph-Macon Vice President of Student Affairs Grant Azdell is pleased to announce the appointment of Karen Smith as the Executive Director for the Edge Career Center beginning in December 2023. Smith comes to RMC following more than a decade at the United States Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division, most recently as Deputy Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

“I am extremely excited to be joining Randolph-Macon College as the Executive Director of the Edge Career Center,” Smith said. “What an honor to be given the opportunity to lead such a unique and incredible program. I look forward to working and partnering with leadership, faculty, students, and alumni to ensure that every student has a competitive edge and is future ready.”

Smith’s wide-ranging responsibilities in her previous position included strategic collaborations with government, industry, academia, and entrepreneurial entities in support of Dahlgren’s capabilities. Much of her work involved building partnerships that gave both students and faculty access to the work being done at the Naval Surface Warfare Center. This includes internships, collaborative research, grants, innovation projects, and events that facilitated STEM learning and career exploration.

“Karen brings a passion for empowering individuals to reach their full potential, and her commitment to excellence aligns seamlessly with the values of the College. As we embark on this exciting new chapter with Karen at the helm, we are optimistic about the positive impact she will have on our students and the RMC community,” reflected Dr. Azdell.

Smith earned her bachelor’s in biology from Christopher Newport University and is pursing a master’s in systems engineering from Old Dominion University. Her husband, Phillip Smith ’06, is an alum of the College and the family looks forward to rejoining the RMC family in this new capacity.