Dr. Livingston Smith, Dip (Hons), BSc (Hons), MPhil, GFL, LLM, PhD, was appointed Acting President of the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) in April 2025. A respected academic, sociologist, university administrator, and public intellectual, Dr. Smith has been instrumental in shaping UCCI’s vision for inclusive, research-driven, and student-centered education.
With over two decades of experience in higher education, Dr. Smith has served in various leadership roles, including Vice-President/Provost, Acting Dean of Academic Affairs and Administration, Director of Research & Publication, and Director of Special Projects. He has also chaired major academic conferences and spearheaded institutional development, accreditation, and fundraising initiatives.
Dr. Smith holds advanced degrees in philosophy, social science, and law. He is a graduate of Church Teachers' College (DipEd), the University of the West Indies (BSc, MPhil, PhD in Government), and Florida International University. A lifelong learner, he recently completed an LLM in Law and will graduate with a master’s in theology from the Caribbean Graduate School of Theology in December 2025.
As a professor, Dr. Smith has taught Political Science, Sociology, History, Ethics, and Research Methodology, inspiring generations of students to think critically, communicate effectively, and engage meaningfully with complex ideas. He is the founder of the UCCI Debate and Oratorical Society, promoting intellectual inquiry and public discourse among students. His teaching philosophy emphasises deep reflection, creativity, and student empowerment.
Dr. Smith is the current President of the Caribbean Sociological Association (CASA), having previously served in the role of Vice President. He was also a Visiting Professor at Carleton University in Canada under the CARICOM scholar leadership programme.
He is actively involved in international projects such as the UN Global Integrity Education Project and the UN Education for Justice (E4J) Initiative, where he explores the intersections of corruption, ethics, and human rights.
A published scholar, Dr. Smith is the editor of The Caribbean in a Changing World: Surveying the Past, Mapping the Future and The Cayman Islands: History, Politics and Society – Essays in Honour of J.A. Roy Bodden. His forthcoming books include Caribbean Social Commentary: Education, History, Politics and Religion and Taking on Corruption in the Caribbean: A Practical and Philosophical Approach.
Dr. Smith is also the founder and convenor of the Committee for the Promotion of Research and Caymanian Scholarship (CPRCS) and Director of the CXC Education Volunteer Programme, now in its 23rd year. Dr. Smith is a regular columnist for the Caymanian Times, contributing thought-provoking pieces on social, political, and ethical issues.
A practicing Christian and church leader, Dr. Smith is committed to values-based leadership and service. His life and work reflect a deep belief in the transformative power of education to shape individuals, institutions, and societies for the better.
