Professional Biography
Albert James Smith, III
435 College Ave
Modesto CA,
95350
WK: (209) 575-6153
Email: [email protected]
________________________________________________________________
EDUCATION
1992 -- MA Degree in History
Emphasis: Culture, Ethnicity, and Social History. California State University @ Fresno.
1990 -- BA Degree in Anthropology
Emphasis in Cultural Anthropology, Ethnicity and Archaeological Interpretation. California State University @ Fresno.
____________________________________________________
CURRENT TEACHING POSITIONS
1994-present -- History Professor, Modesto Junior College
Duties: World History, Pre and Post Twentieth Century Social & Cultural History, Pre and post-Civil War U.S. History, and Western Civilization. I originated and teach two African American history courses. At present, I teach web-enhanced courses in the classroom. For five years, I taught live broadcast interactive tele-courses on local cable television (video available upon request).
2017 - present -- Umoja Elder Faculty, MJC
Duties: The Chancellor’s office has identified African American (AA) males as the single most Disproportionately Impacted student population. The Umoja Community Pathway at Modesto Junior College is part of a state-wide intentional and deliberate Student Success effort for African American* students partly funded by the State Chancellor’s office. Culturally rooted Umoja practices are specifically designed to increase retention, and to increase GPA - resulting in higher graduation rates and successful transfer.
1997-2001 -- American Cultures Professor, MJC
Duties: Originator, organizer and facilitator of an interdisciplinary, world multicultural, and diversity lecture series, linking the MJC campus to the diverse communities of Modesto.
___________________________________________________
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE
1998-2002 -- Learning Communities Coordinator, MJC
Duties: I administered interdisciplinary programs at MJC. Courses included: interdisciplinary dyads, Women’s Studies, Distinguished Speakers Series, and the American Cultures Forum, a course that I designed after the UC Berkeley model.
Quality Staff Resources Team Co-Chair, MJC
Duties: Diversity personnel recruitment and retention. Human Resources hiring process restructuring. I assisted in the development and implementation of strategies for the Beyond Tolerance initiative.
Division Dean’s Advisory Board, Behavioral / Social Sciences
Duties: Training in the aspects of job of the Division Dean. Participation in the shared governance of the Behavioral and Social Sciences/Business combined Division.
African American Educational Conference Committee
Duties: Assisting in the planning, organization, and execution of the annual Teen Summit for diversity high-school student recruitment.
Umoja Community Elder / Faculty Coordinator, MJC
Duties: Coordinate MJC's African American educational community. Teach anchor courses in Umoja-principles for African American history. Conduct student orientations to the state-wide Umoja Community educational and academic experience. Conduct Umoja-principles / pedagogical training for MJC faculty.
___________________________________________________
PREVIOUS TEACHING POSITIONS
1993-1994-- History Instructor
Duties: U.S. History from 1865 to the present. Fresno City College, State Center Community College District.
1985-1994-- Physical Education & Adaptive Physical Education Instructor
Duties: I planned, executed, and evaluated skills oriented coed exercise programs for both disabled and able-bodied students. Courses taught: Intro. To Martial Arts, Martial Applications, Disabled Self Defense, Rape Defense, Physical Fitness, Yoga, Swimming, Fitness & Flexibility, and Wilderness Experience. Fresno City College, SCCCD.
___________________________________________________
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
1993-1998-- Archaeologist/Historian
Duties: I investigated, analyzed, and documented both historic and prehistoric cultural resources of the Sierra National Forest, US Forest Service, USDA. I coordinated, organized and supervised field projects in cultural resource management. I am active in SHPO, NEPA, Heritage Resource monitoring and preservation processes.
1993-1998-- Archaeologist
Duties: I conducted field research, recovery, analysis, and interpretation of both archaeological & historic cultural resources of the Kings River Ranger District, US Forest Service, USDA. I documented and monitored heritage resources and preservation processes.
___________________________________________________
PUBLICATIONS
2015-- Black In America: A Brief History with Documents, Pearson, ISBN 10: 1256959197, ISBN 13: 978-1256959199
2007-- Why We War: the Human Investment in Slaughter and the Possibilities for Peace, Lulu Publishing Company, ISBN: 9781847285201
2004-- African American: Readings in History and Identity, Lulu Publishing Company, ISBN: 9781435701618.
2000-- American Cultures: Readings in Social and Cultural History, Lulu Publishing, ISBN: 9781435701601.
1998-- Co-Editor of the Test Bank for the text: American History, A Survey, McGraw-Hill College.
1998-- Study for the Submission to the National Register of Historic Places: Lewis Camp Historic District - Kern Ranger Station. National Park Service primary researcher and field team supervisor- 1995 (published 1998).
___________________________________________________
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS
Umoja Community Faculty Coordinator for Modesto Junior College. Status - Life
California Community College Special
Services Credential – Subject area
Physical Education. Status – Life.
Fresno Unified School District Substitute
Teaching credential – All
Subjects, K-12 and Special Education
Status – expired 1993.
Instructor Certified (Black Belt)
International San Ten Karate –
Amateur Karate Association.
Status - current.
Instructor Certified Modern Arnis
Association of America and Central
California Eskrima Association.
Status – current.
Graduate – USDA Forest Service Training:
Federal Projects and Historic Preservation Law – 1995.
Trimble Global Positioning Systems – 1994.
Defensive Driving Course – 1993.
___________________________________________________
AWARDS OF MERIT
2018-- Black Student Union Faculty Adviser Life Appreciation Award
2015-- EOP&S L.I.F.E. Award
2013-- Black Student Union Regional Guidance Award
2010-- Black Student Union Faculty Adviser Appreciation Award
2005-- Student Activist Club Faculty Adviser Award
2001-- Black Student Union Adviser Appreciation Award from The Brothers and Sisters United
2000-- Puente / M.E.Ch.A Adviser Appreciation Award
1998-- Americans with Disabilities Act Certificate of Recognition.
1995-- Associated Students of MJC Adviser Certificate of Achievement.
1988-- Child Abuse Prevention Center – Certification of Appreciation for conducting child abuse prevention seminars.
1988-- Common Sense Self Defense – Seminars at Cal State University, Fresno.
___________________________________________________
REFERENCES
Teaching References:
Dr. Stan Spector
-Professor of Philosophy, Modesto J.C…….………..………(209)575-6108
Dr. Kenneth White
-Professor of History, Modesto J.C…………………..….…..(209)575-6134
Administrative References:
Venesse Metcalf
-Director of Staff Diversity, YCCD……………………..…..….(209)575-6900
Research Reference:
Karen Miller
-USDA Sierra National Forest…………..……………………….(559)297-0706
OTHER PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS, ASSOCIATIONS, AND ACTIVITIES
UMOJA ELDER
CAMPUS COMMUNITY DIVERSITY COMMITTEE
UBUNTU / DESMOND TUTU COORDINATING COMMITTEE
ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN HISTORIANS
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
NATIONAL COUNCIL for HISTORIC EDUCATION – membership current
PANEL MEMBER – Lieutenant Governor’s Committee on Hate Crimes - 2000
SAN FRANCISCO AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORICAL & CULTURAL SOCIETY - Board Member – 1996.
ASSOCIATION for the STUDY of AFRICAN AMERICAN LIFE & HISTORY – membership current
UMOJA DAY - Coordinator and Master of Ceremonies – 1995.
PAN AFRICAN STUDENT UNION - Faculty Advisor – 1995-2001.
TRAPPER SPRINGS CABIN - Historic restoration project coordinator and field supervisor – 1994.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL HISTORIAN – Primary recorder and chief liaison for the Kings River Ranger District for the Historic Pollard Cabin Restoration project – 1993.
SUBSTITUTE TEACHER - All subjects, K-12 (kindergarten through high-school) and special education. Fresno Unified School district. 1991-1994.
RESEARCH PROJECT MANAGER - Historiography of Chinese Religion – 1992.
SOUTHWESTERN ANTHROPOLOGY ASSOCIATION – Accepted Guest Speaker for the 1991, 62nd annual conference, paper titled: “Transmission of Culture through the Martial Arts.”
Fresno City College MARTIAL ARTS TOURNAMENTS – Event promoter, sponsor, and Master of Ceremonies – 1980 thru 1990.
FCC MARTIAL ARTS CLUB, Faculty advisor – 1979-1990.
UNION OF MARTIAL ARTS – Martial Arts school owner – 1981 thru 1986.
KARATE AGAINST DRUGS AND ALCOHOL – Event promoter, sponsor, and co-organizer – 1991.
INSTRUCTOR OF SELF-DEFENSE FOR WOMEN – California State University, Fresno – spring 1990.
HMONG CULTURAL ADAPTATION – Chief interviewer and field project manager – 1989.
CENTRAL CALIFORNIA (Filipino) ESKRIMA BOARD – APPOINTED CONSULTANT –1988.
435 College Ave
Modesto CA,
95350
WK: (209) 575-6153
Email: [email protected]
________________________________________________________________
EDUCATION
1992 -- MA Degree in History
Emphasis: Culture, Ethnicity, and Social History. California State University @ Fresno.
1990 -- BA Degree in Anthropology
Emphasis in Cultural Anthropology, Ethnicity and Archaeological Interpretation. California State University @ Fresno.
____________________________________________________
CURRENT TEACHING POSITIONS
1994-present -- History Professor, Modesto Junior College
Duties: World History, Pre and Post Twentieth Century Social & Cultural History, Pre and post-Civil War U.S. History, and Western Civilization. I originated and teach two African American history courses. At present, I teach web-enhanced courses in the classroom. For five years, I taught live broadcast interactive tele-courses on local cable television (video available upon request).
2017 - present -- Umoja Elder Faculty, MJC
Duties: The Chancellor’s office has identified African American (AA) males as the single most Disproportionately Impacted student population. The Umoja Community Pathway at Modesto Junior College is part of a state-wide intentional and deliberate Student Success effort for African American* students partly funded by the State Chancellor’s office. Culturally rooted Umoja practices are specifically designed to increase retention, and to increase GPA - resulting in higher graduation rates and successful transfer.
1997-2001 -- American Cultures Professor, MJC
Duties: Originator, organizer and facilitator of an interdisciplinary, world multicultural, and diversity lecture series, linking the MJC campus to the diverse communities of Modesto.
___________________________________________________
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE
1998-2002 -- Learning Communities Coordinator, MJC
Duties: I administered interdisciplinary programs at MJC. Courses included: interdisciplinary dyads, Women’s Studies, Distinguished Speakers Series, and the American Cultures Forum, a course that I designed after the UC Berkeley model.
Quality Staff Resources Team Co-Chair, MJC
Duties: Diversity personnel recruitment and retention. Human Resources hiring process restructuring. I assisted in the development and implementation of strategies for the Beyond Tolerance initiative.
Division Dean’s Advisory Board, Behavioral / Social Sciences
Duties: Training in the aspects of job of the Division Dean. Participation in the shared governance of the Behavioral and Social Sciences/Business combined Division.
African American Educational Conference Committee
Duties: Assisting in the planning, organization, and execution of the annual Teen Summit for diversity high-school student recruitment.
Umoja Community Elder / Faculty Coordinator, MJC
Duties: Coordinate MJC's African American educational community. Teach anchor courses in Umoja-principles for African American history. Conduct student orientations to the state-wide Umoja Community educational and academic experience. Conduct Umoja-principles / pedagogical training for MJC faculty.
___________________________________________________
PREVIOUS TEACHING POSITIONS
1993-1994-- History Instructor
Duties: U.S. History from 1865 to the present. Fresno City College, State Center Community College District.
1985-1994-- Physical Education & Adaptive Physical Education Instructor
Duties: I planned, executed, and evaluated skills oriented coed exercise programs for both disabled and able-bodied students. Courses taught: Intro. To Martial Arts, Martial Applications, Disabled Self Defense, Rape Defense, Physical Fitness, Yoga, Swimming, Fitness & Flexibility, and Wilderness Experience. Fresno City College, SCCCD.
___________________________________________________
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
1993-1998-- Archaeologist/Historian
Duties: I investigated, analyzed, and documented both historic and prehistoric cultural resources of the Sierra National Forest, US Forest Service, USDA. I coordinated, organized and supervised field projects in cultural resource management. I am active in SHPO, NEPA, Heritage Resource monitoring and preservation processes.
1993-1998-- Archaeologist
Duties: I conducted field research, recovery, analysis, and interpretation of both archaeological & historic cultural resources of the Kings River Ranger District, US Forest Service, USDA. I documented and monitored heritage resources and preservation processes.
___________________________________________________
PUBLICATIONS
2015-- Black In America: A Brief History with Documents, Pearson, ISBN 10: 1256959197, ISBN 13: 978-1256959199
2007-- Why We War: the Human Investment in Slaughter and the Possibilities for Peace, Lulu Publishing Company, ISBN: 9781847285201
2004-- African American: Readings in History and Identity, Lulu Publishing Company, ISBN: 9781435701618.
2000-- American Cultures: Readings in Social and Cultural History, Lulu Publishing, ISBN: 9781435701601.
1998-- Co-Editor of the Test Bank for the text: American History, A Survey, McGraw-Hill College.
1998-- Study for the Submission to the National Register of Historic Places: Lewis Camp Historic District - Kern Ranger Station. National Park Service primary researcher and field team supervisor- 1995 (published 1998).
___________________________________________________
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS
Umoja Community Faculty Coordinator for Modesto Junior College. Status - Life
California Community College Special
Services Credential – Subject area
Physical Education. Status – Life.
Fresno Unified School District Substitute
Teaching credential – All
Subjects, K-12 and Special Education
Status – expired 1993.
Instructor Certified (Black Belt)
International San Ten Karate –
Amateur Karate Association.
Status - current.
Instructor Certified Modern Arnis
Association of America and Central
California Eskrima Association.
Status – current.
Graduate – USDA Forest Service Training:
Federal Projects and Historic Preservation Law – 1995.
Trimble Global Positioning Systems – 1994.
Defensive Driving Course – 1993.
___________________________________________________
AWARDS OF MERIT
2018-- Black Student Union Faculty Adviser Life Appreciation Award
2015-- EOP&S L.I.F.E. Award
2013-- Black Student Union Regional Guidance Award
2010-- Black Student Union Faculty Adviser Appreciation Award
2005-- Student Activist Club Faculty Adviser Award
2001-- Black Student Union Adviser Appreciation Award from The Brothers and Sisters United
2000-- Puente / M.E.Ch.A Adviser Appreciation Award
1998-- Americans with Disabilities Act Certificate of Recognition.
1995-- Associated Students of MJC Adviser Certificate of Achievement.
1988-- Child Abuse Prevention Center – Certification of Appreciation for conducting child abuse prevention seminars.
1988-- Common Sense Self Defense – Seminars at Cal State University, Fresno.
___________________________________________________
REFERENCES
Teaching References:
Dr. Stan Spector
-Professor of Philosophy, Modesto J.C…….………..………(209)575-6108
Dr. Kenneth White
-Professor of History, Modesto J.C…………………..….…..(209)575-6134
Administrative References:
Venesse Metcalf
-Director of Staff Diversity, YCCD……………………..…..….(209)575-6900
Research Reference:
Karen Miller
-USDA Sierra National Forest…………..……………………….(559)297-0706
OTHER PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS, ASSOCIATIONS, AND ACTIVITIES
UMOJA ELDER
CAMPUS COMMUNITY DIVERSITY COMMITTEE
UBUNTU / DESMOND TUTU COORDINATING COMMITTEE
ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN HISTORIANS
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
NATIONAL COUNCIL for HISTORIC EDUCATION – membership current
PANEL MEMBER – Lieutenant Governor’s Committee on Hate Crimes - 2000
SAN FRANCISCO AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORICAL & CULTURAL SOCIETY - Board Member – 1996.
ASSOCIATION for the STUDY of AFRICAN AMERICAN LIFE & HISTORY – membership current
UMOJA DAY - Coordinator and Master of Ceremonies – 1995.
PAN AFRICAN STUDENT UNION - Faculty Advisor – 1995-2001.
TRAPPER SPRINGS CABIN - Historic restoration project coordinator and field supervisor – 1994.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL HISTORIAN – Primary recorder and chief liaison for the Kings River Ranger District for the Historic Pollard Cabin Restoration project – 1993.
SUBSTITUTE TEACHER - All subjects, K-12 (kindergarten through high-school) and special education. Fresno Unified School district. 1991-1994.
RESEARCH PROJECT MANAGER - Historiography of Chinese Religion – 1992.
SOUTHWESTERN ANTHROPOLOGY ASSOCIATION – Accepted Guest Speaker for the 1991, 62nd annual conference, paper titled: “Transmission of Culture through the Martial Arts.”
Fresno City College MARTIAL ARTS TOURNAMENTS – Event promoter, sponsor, and Master of Ceremonies – 1980 thru 1990.
FCC MARTIAL ARTS CLUB, Faculty advisor – 1979-1990.
UNION OF MARTIAL ARTS – Martial Arts school owner – 1981 thru 1986.
KARATE AGAINST DRUGS AND ALCOHOL – Event promoter, sponsor, and co-organizer – 1991.
INSTRUCTOR OF SELF-DEFENSE FOR WOMEN – California State University, Fresno – spring 1990.
HMONG CULTURAL ADAPTATION – Chief interviewer and field project manager – 1989.
CENTRAL CALIFORNIA (Filipino) ESKRIMA BOARD – APPOINTED CONSULTANT –1988.