Biography

Dr. Michael J. L. Smith serves as the Assistant Director for the Office of Access, Belonging, and Community Engagement and a member of the faculty at the UCF College of Medicine. A dedicated public health scholar and advocate for educational equity he brings extensive experience in pathway program development, student mentorship, and community‑centered medical education.

Dr. Smith holds a Bachelor of Science in Cardiopulmonary Science, a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and a Doctor of Public Health. He completed his clinical training and research at Florida A&M University within the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health. In 2012, he established the university’s first Office of Premedical Advisement and developed a medical pathway program through a partnership with the Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Schmidt College of Medicine. He later joined FAU’s faculty where he served as an Assistant Professor of Integrated Medical Science and Director of Pathway Programs, integrating his passion for mentoring underserved students, advancing public health, preventive medicine, and health equity.

At the UCF College of Medicine, Dr. Smith is faculty advisor and co‑advisor to several student organizations, including the Student National Medical Association, Healthcare Horizons, Covenant Compassionate Youth Clinic, and the Knights of PreMedicorum. He is deeply engaged in community outreach, working to expose students to diverse clinical environments and medically underserved populations. His leadership and service have been recognized through multiple honors, including the Outstanding Problem‑Based Learning Facilitator Award (Schmidt College of Medicine, 2021), one of South Florida’s Top Black Educators (Legacy Magazine, 2022), Community Service Award (T. Leroy Jefferson Medical Society, 2022), and Officer Service Award (T. Leroy Jefferson Medical Society, 2024).

A committed mentor to the youth, undergraduate and graduate students, Dr. Smith is devoted to inspiring the next generation of physicians and scientists to eliminate healthcare disparities and improve outcomes for all communities. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys cooking, westerns, fishing with his family, and exploring new cultures.