Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning for Student Success

Dr. Timothy J. Smith is Professor and Chair of the Department of Anthropology and has been an Appalachian faculty member since 2008. Given his training in both Anthropology and Latin American Studies, the themes of his research are varied and include a critical examination of community participation, linguistic revival and change, violence and conflict, development, human rights, citizenship and the state, environmental conservation, and grassroots indigenous politics in Latin America (Guatemala and Ecuador). His teaching deals with the cultural politics of representation and indigenous movements, cultural and political constructions of knowledge, language and culture, contemporary Latin America, identity formation, and the practical application of theory/knowledge. In addition to serving as the Department Chair, he is also the Honors Program Director and has previously served on numerous leadership committees throughout the University on which he advocated for the support of academics and ensuring that excellence in teaching, informed by research, remains the priority of Appalachian State. He is also a member of the College of Arts and Sciences Academy of Outstanding Teachers (2015) and the recipient of the William C. Strickland Outstanding Young Faculty (2012) and Jimmy Smith Outstanding Service (2018) awards. Learn more about Dr. Smith’s research and teaching.