HUNTINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA — At its regularly-scheduled meeting Wednesday, June 11, the Marshall University Board of Governors unanimously approved an amendment to President Brad D Smith’s employment agreement extending its maturity three years to December 31, 2029.
Marshall University Board of Governors Chairman Geoff Sheils released this statement following the board’s decision.
“The Board is very grateful for Brad’s commitment, passion, energy and untiring dedication to this great university,” Sheils said.
“To say we are thrilled that Brad has agreed to lead Marshall University through 2029 would be an understatement.”
Sheils credited Smith with leading Marshall University with bold vision, great humility and clarity of purpose.
“President Smith and his wife, Alys, have been the catalysts of Marshall University becoming a transformative force in education, opportunity, and regional development. United in their passion and purpose, they are making the bold vision of Marshall for All, Marshall Forever a reality — a vision centered on access, excellence, and long-term sustainability. Their approach to servant leadership with a focus on people-first values has inspired a renewed sense of purpose and pride throughout our campus, our city, our region, and our state, and we are most grateful for their service as we look to the future with much optimism, " Sheils said.
Smith said he is deeply grateful to the Board of Governors for their continued support and wise counsel.
“Alys and I consider this role the privilege of a lifetime, and we are honored to serve the university and community we love so dearly,” Smith said.
“We’ve built meaningful momentum as a campus community, and I couldn’t be more optimistic about the road ahead. Marshall’s best days are in front of us, and I remain fully committed to advancing our bold vision through Marshall for All, Marshall Forever — ensuring access, opportunity and lasting impact for generations to come.”
Smith took the helm at Marshall in January 2022 and since then the university has achieved significant achievements in student success, academic innovation, research expansion, and economic development.
In addition to the progress already mentioned, Sheils highlighted that the university has seen incredible growth in enrollment over the past few years.
“Marshall, under President Smith’s leadership, has achieved a remarkable reversal of a thirteen-year trend of annual enrollment decline, as this upcoming school year will mark the third consecutive year of annual enrollment growth,” Sheils said.
Smith graduated from Marshall in 1986 with a Bachelor’s degree in business administration. He is the first alumnus in the university’s 186-year history to serve as its president.
