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Julie Smith

NC State University

Julie Smith serves as NC State University’s vice chancellor for external affairs, partnerships and economic development. In this position, Smith leads the division responsible for coordinating the university’s relations with local, state and federal government partners; supporting the creation of industry collaborations; and helping to spur economic development investments with significant impacts for the university and the state of North Carolina. Prior to being named vice chancellor in February 2024, Smith most recently served as NC State’s associate vice chancellor for external affairs, partnerships and economic development since 2019. As associate vice chancellor, she provided oversight and management for her division’s operational and financial activities, in addition to serving as the university liaison for all state and local relations.

Prior to NC State, Smith served as assistant to the chancellor for external affairs at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. In that role, she was the university’s liaison for state and federal relations and worked to strengthen external partnerships for the university and southeastern North Carolina. Earlier in her career, she served as associate general counsel with the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association.

Smith graduated from NC State summa cum laude with her bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in environmental science with the designation of valedictorian. She also had the distinction of being a Park Scholar. Smith earned her J.D. from the University of Virginia.

Smith currently serves on several boards throughout the Triangle region, including the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau, Blue Ridge Corridor Alliance, and the Hillsborough Street Community Service Corporation. Smith is also a graduate of the UNC System’s Executive Leadership Institute, as well as Leadership Raleigh and Leadership North Carolina.