Tennessee Tech names John Smith interim vice president for University Advancement
Tennessee Tech University President Phil Oldham has appointed longtime university leader John W. Smith as interim vice president for University Advancement.
A two-time Tech graduate, Smith brings more than 30 years of service to the university, most recently serving as associate vice president for university development. A respected fundraiser, he has built strong, lasting relationships with alumni, donors and campus partners, helping advance the university’s mission through philanthropic support.
“John’s decades of service to the university and his deep connections to our alumni and supporters make him a natural fit to guide the Division of University Advancement during these months ahead,” said Oldham. “We appreciate the steady leadership, breadth of institutional knowledge and passion for continuing to elevate the university that John brings to this role.”
Smith fills a vacancy created by the departure of former vice president for University Advancement Kevin Braswell, who stepped down from the role at the end of March after 11 years of dedicated service.
The Division of University Advancement includes the Crawford Alumni Center, University Development, Advancement Services and the Tennessee Tech Foundation. The division works to secure philanthropic resources that enable Tech students, faculty and staff to excel in a highly competitive, technologically driven world.
“I am grateful to President Oldham for the confidence he has in me to lead the Division of University Advancement during this interim period,” said Smith. “The Advancement team is made up of dedicated professionals who care about each other and work each day to increase the levels of engagement and philanthropy among our alumni and donor base. Tennessee Tech is a special place, and the Advancement team looks forward to enhancing the student experience through strategic philanthropic work.”
Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science and a Master of Business Administration from Tech. He began his career in University Advancement in 1995 and assumed leadership of Advancement Services in 2014. He was named interim associate vice president of University Development in 2020 and was appointed to the role full-time in 2021.
In recognition of his contributions to the profession, Smith was named the 2021 Mentor of the Year by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District III. In his most recent role, he provided strategic leadership for the university’s philanthropic initiatives while guiding the development team’s day-to-day efforts, maintaining a portfolio of donors and partnering closely with campus leaders.
Smith and his wife, April, have two adult children. They reside in Sparta, Tennessee, where he is an active community volunteer and has served on the White County Board of Education since 2024.
Learn more about the Division of University Advancement at www.tntech.edu/univadv.