Morehouse College celebrates the appointment of Stannis Smith, Esq. ’01, as the next Vice President of Legal Affairs and General Counsel at Delaware State University, effective January 2026. In this new role, Smith will serve as Delaware State’s chief legal officer, offering strategic counsel to the President and Board of Trustees while overseeing the University’s legal, compliance, governance, and enterprise risk management portfolios.
A committed public servant and leader in higher education, Smith’s professional journey has been shaped by the values of preparation, integrity, and purpose — principles he traces back to his formative years at Morehouse. After graduating from Morehouse College, he earned his law degree from The George Washington University Law School and an LL.M. in Taxation from Boston University, laying the foundation for a career marked by impact and service.
Smith went on to serve in senior policy and advisory positions across three U.S. presidential administrations, bringing his expertise to issues at the intersection of law, policy, and public service. He later transitioned into higher education, where he has distinguished himself as a trusted legal and strategic advisor.
Most recently, Smith served as Executive General Counsel and Labor Designee at the City University of New York School of Medicine. His leadership there, combined with his experience as founder of SmithAdams Law Group, has prepared him well for this next chapter at Delaware State University.
Smith’s appointment represents a meaningful homecoming to the HBCU community. As he steps into this significant leadership role, he brings with him a commitment to empowering the next generation of scholars and administrators, reflecting the Morehouse mission of excellence, service, and global leadership.
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Alumni Achievement