"I believe in the transformative power of education, and am inspired by the countless examples of Oakton students who use the skills and knowledge they gain here to positively impact their communities.”As the fourth president of Oakton College, Joianne L. Smith, Ph.D., is deeply committed to ensuring students reach their goals by expanding equitable access to life-changing educational opportunities in a warm and welcoming environment. Her leadership embodies Oakton’s bold vision of building just and thriving communities, which is outlined in Oakton College’s strategic plan — Vision 2030 — first adopted in 2022 and updated in 2025.
Since her presidency began on July 1, 2015, President Smith has led Oakton into a period of continuing student-centered innovation. This includes the physical transformation of both the Des Plaines and Skokie campuses, guided by the College’s Facilities Master Plan. The current plan prescribes $63 million in campus upgrades over five years, including transforming traditional library spaces into modernized Learning Commons at both Oakton’s Des Plaines and Ray Harstein (Skokie) campuses.
President Smith has been a champion for student success. During her tenure, Oakton earned the prestigious designation of an Achieving the Dream (ATD) network Leader College. The distinction recognizes Oakton's sustained improvements in student outcomes and reducing equity gaps.
Additionally, Oakton earned national recognition for its innovative Faculty Persistence Project during President Smith's tenure. The initiative provides a framework for strengthening connections between faculty and students in the classroom, increasing student engagement and improving persistence rates. The program has been featured in several national publications and serves as a model for community colleges across the country.
In 2023 — under President Smith's leadership — the College transitioned from "Oakton Community College" to "Oakton College," marking a new chapter in the institution's 50-plus year history. Along with the name change, Oakton College unveiled an updated logo and visual identity centered in diversity, inclusion and equity.
In 2025, Oakton began offering instruction at its Health Careers Education Center, another milestone of President Smith’s tenure. The center marks the first physical presence in Evanston, the largest community in Oakton’s district.
Prior to becoming President, Smith served for 13 years as Oakton's dean of students (2002-2004) and vice president for Student Affairs (2005-2015). Before coming to Oakton, she served in administrative roles at Northwestern University and Middlebury College (1999-2001). She also worked as a licensed psychologist, a license she maintains in Illinois.
Smith earned her Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in Counseling Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University after earning her B.A. degree from Wittenberg University.