Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) Dean J. Cole Smith has been appointed as the new executive vice president for academic affairs and provost at Clemson University. Smith received his undergraduate degree from Clemson and previously served as associate provost for academic initiatives and chair of the department of industrial engineering at Clemson from 2014 to 2019.
Smith has served as the dean of Syracuse University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science since 2019 and will begin his new role at Clemson on January 1st, 2026.
During his tenure at Syracuse University, Smith led ECS through major renovation projects to modernize facilities, create multiple new lab spaces and establish the Allyn Innovation Center. He also helped secure a $2 million gift to support the Campos Student Center in the Center for Science and Technology. Smith oversaw the creation of the Center for Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing, an interdisciplinary initiative uniting expertise in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics, optimization and manufacturing processes to advance semiconductor science that will open later in 2025. In addition, he helped launch a new master’s program in operations research and system analytics and a signature co-op program to expand experiential learning opportunities.
“My six years here at Syracuse have been more fulfilling than I ever could have asked for,” said Smith. “We have great days ahead for our education, research, scholarship, and impact in the region, and I am eager to see how this College will make the most of these opportunities. I want to thank the entire ECS family — our students, faculty and staff, plus our alumni, friends, and parents — all of the encouragement, counsel, and friendship I’ve received during my time here.”