Arbin Smith

Arbin Smith serves as Vice President of Strategy & External Affairs and Chief of Staff to the President at DePaul University. As the President’s principal strategic advisor and day-to-day partner, he works at the intersection of institutional strategy, organizational leadership, and external engagement, helping translate presidential priorities into coordinated action across the university.

Smith works closely with the President and senior leadership team to advance DePaul’s long-term strategic direction. His portfolio includes strategic planning, governance, organizational effectiveness, resource stewardship, and operational modernization. Across academic and administrative units, he helps align people, priorities, and resources to support informed decision making and institutional goals.

Smith also leads DePaul’s engagement with government, civic, business, and community stakeholders. He has helped strengthen the university’s role as a trusted civic partner and convener, connecting external partnerships with DePaul’s academic mission, research, public policy work, and strategic priorities. Through this work, he helps position DePaul as a leading urban university contributing to the future of Chicago and the communities it serves.