Valerie C. Smart: Practitioner, Scholar, Leader
Bridging 26 Years of Business Strategy with Academic Excellence
Executive Profile
A results-oriented professional specializing in administrative leadership and academic program quality. As the Principal of Smart Strategic Business Solutions (SSBS), LLC, and an Adjunct Business Instructor at Tri-C, I leverage decades of industry experience to drive organizational efficiency and student success.
- Business Impact: Increased client organizational efficiency by 35%.
- Academic Impact: Improved student success and retention rates by 20%.
Strategic Business Leadership (SSBS,LLC)
Principal & Subject Matter Expert Directing a state-certified consulting firm (MBE, EDGE, WBE) that delivers strategic infrastructure and community-driven results.
- Strategic Planning: Developed business planning and software launch procedures for Project MyEKC.
- Project Management: Orchestrated communication strategies for The Opportunity Corridor and developed performance metrics for Removing The Stigma (RTS).
- Community Engagement: Led the Make Cleveland Better initiative, managing the logistics and collection of 17,000 lbs. of essential goods.
Community Projects
Click on the “Community Projects” link above to view my community impact in the Greater Cleveland area.
Curriculum Vitae
I am a results-oriented professional with over 26 years of experience in administrative leadership, strategic business consulting, and academia. I am the principal of Smart Strategic Business Solutions, LLC, a certified MBE/WBE/EDGE firm specializing in strategic planning and organizational behavior. I am also an award-winning Adjunct Business Instructor at Cuyahoga Community College, recognized for my innovative curriculum design and student success initiatives.
Academic Innovation (Tri-C Faculty)
Award-Winning Adjunct Business Instructor Transforming business theory into "Applied Toolkits" for the now generation of Cleveland’s workforce.
Featured Instructional Artifacts:
The Start-Up Snapshot
A creative project guiding students from abstract ideas to defined business entities.
The HR Starter Kit
Practical recruitment and onboarding simulations modeled after 26 years of industry experience.
OB Analysis Portfolio
A "consultant-style" deep dive into real-world organizational culture and change.
Teaching Statement
My teaching philosophy emphasizes developing students’ critical consciousness through project-based learning. Pedagogical strategy, applied scaffolding, and using real-world business scenarios help to equip students with practical skills. I prioritize equity-minded instruction, incorporating diverse perspectives to enhance student success and retention.
Recognition
"Present. Inspiring. Professional." — 2025 - 2026 Ralph M. Besse Award Nomination
- Ralph M. Besse Award Nominee (2025-2026): Recognized by students for exceptional competence and building "confidence and resources for the future."
- Tri-C Famous (2023): Profiled for institutional leadership and community impact.
- President’s Award (2020): College-wide honor for providing exemplary work on behalf of Cuyahoga Community College.