Welcome to PCC!
My name is Dr. Kim Smith and I love exploring how the world works, the many ways that societies are changing, and different solutions to social problems. I have taught sociology at PCC since 1996, including: Introduction to Sociology; Social Change; Social Problems; Introduction to Environmental Sociology; Sociology of Gender; Social Movements; the Community Service and Action Seminar; and Cooperative Education, to support our valuable internship programs.
My teaching philosophy is “educate ~ empower ~ engage!” I believe strongly in applied learning and hope that sociology can educate and empower students to examine tough topics, explore ways to be change agents, and realize that they can make a difference in their communities.
I grew up in California and went to , in Walla Walla, WA, where I received a B.A. in sociology, minoring in French and economics, and was an exchange student in France. I attended graduate school at Indiana University, in Bloomington, IN, where I received an M.A. and Ph.D., in sociology, with specialities in environmental sociology, social movements, and international environmental policy, from the top-ranked .
In addition to teaching, I have served as PCC’s Service-Learning Coordinator, the Teaching Learning Center Co-Director, providing staff and faculty development for the college, and the Summer Sustainability Institute Coordinator, funded by the National Science Foundation. I am currently the Sociology Faculty Department Chair and am enjoying supporting our instructors, sociology program, and social science pathway.
I also support the Sustainability Leadership Council at PCC and co-founded the , which was recognized as a Regional Center of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (RCE), by United Nations University and UNESCO, and help mentor other RCEs in the U.S. There are now over ! Let me know if you are interested in sustainability opportunities.
Sociology is a wonderful discipline that allows us to reflect on and understand the world around us and our roles within it. Thinking like a sociologist can help you gain the skills to study how our social contexts and society shape us. With all that is going on in the world, I hope that our sociology classes will help you find new ways to explore society and the many social changes happening around us.
I wish you a successful and meaningful experience at PCC!
Feel free to contact me, if you have any questions:Â kdsmith@pcc.edu.