Herb Smith
Professor of Political Science and International Studies
Students learn much from the savvy Political Science professor — most importantly how to form their own opinions. Dr. Smith presents contemporary politics in an impartial and balanced fashion, serving as the faculty advisor to both the McDaniel College Democrats and Republicans. In courses like “Campaigns and Elections” and “Research Design and Methods,” students get first-hand experience by fulfilling Dr. Smith’s assignment to volunteer in a campaign of their choice and design and conduct original survey research. The professor’s political analysis is sought early and often during election season by The Baltimore Sun and The Washington Post, TV and radio stations. When a delegation tasked with carrying out the first parliamentary elections in Qatar wanted an education about how elections are planned and conducted in the U.S. at the federal, state and local levels, they visited Dr. Smith’s classroom.
“I have never forgotten what it means to be an undergraduate student,” says Dr. Smith, and that empathy is evident in the way he works hard to make sure everyone succeeds. “I don’t have any students to waste.” Over Jan Term, Dr. Smith introduces students to his laid-back side when he takes them to Belize for lessons in his second area of expertise: deep-sea fishing and diving.
Most likely places to catch Professor Herb Smith
- Hanging around the classroom, or in his office, to shoot the breeze with students or review material with them.
- Fishing at the edge of any body of water, possibly Deer Creek in northern Maryland, but preferably in Belize.
- Offering insights into politics and the elections on public television or any of the three local news stations.