Keynote Speaker – Ms. Tina Gridiron Smith
Tina Gridiron Smith serves as a Senior Program Officer for Lumina Foundation for Education in Indianapolis, IN. In this position she actively seeks to remove the postsecondary access and success barriers facing students of color, low-income students, and other underserved student populations. Her current portfolio of grants includes over 50 projects designed to support higher education leadership; improve the postsecondary preparation, access and attainment for all students; and increase the specific educational success of men of color, foster youth and other vulnerable populations.
As a California native, Tina has worked for various colleges and universities including, UC Berkeley, Calif. State University Chico, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Stanford University. Through her professional career she has worked to improve the academic preparation, persistence and achievement of underserved students. Specifically, through positions in student affairs, academic advising, student activities, and residential life Tina has dedicated her time and talents to helping students achieve their educational goals.
Dedicated to civic involvement and community service Tina has served as a tutor and mentor for low-income high school students and volunteer facilitator trained to inform middle school and high school students about effective HIV/AIDS prevention. Currently she serves as the Chairperson for the Board of Directors at Auntie Mame’s Child Development Center and actively participates in volunteer activities as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated.
Tina and her husband Larry Smith are the proud parents of three children, Donesha, Vivienne and Justin. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of California at Berkeley and received one Masters Degree in Higher Education Administration and a second Master’s Degree in Sociology from Stanford University.