Rick Smith

President, North Lake Campus

Dr. Rick Smith is a purpose-driven leader dedicated to creating meaningful impact within the community. With over three decades of experience across higher education, health care and nonprofit leadership, he brings a dynamic, cross-industry perspective to his work.

Dr. Smith serves as the president of Dallas College North Lake Campus, where he oversees daily campus operations and implements strategic plans to advance the Dallas College vision. He's always looking for ways to bridge the gap between higher education and industry — whether creating a new program or developing a new partnership — ensuring that institutions remain aligned with workforce needs.

Mentorship has been a cornerstone of Dr. Smith’s journey. Influenced by friends, family and professional mentors who encouraged bold decisions and lifelong learning, he now pays it forward through mentoring, advising and helping people see their full potential. He considers his greatest success to be his investment in his people.

When Dr. Smith isn’t leading institutional transformation, you’ll find him spending time with family, riding his motorcycle, restoring classic cars or rollerblading through the neighborhood. He looks forward to connecting with the Dallas community and inspiring the next generation of resilient leaders.