Amanda Lynne Smith, Ph.D.

Chief Academic and Product Officer

Amanda leads the Academic Services and Product team that enables the delivery of partner universities’ high-quality online degree programs.

Before joining Risepoint, Amanda served as Vice Provost of a private, post-secondary online institution and previously as VP of Curriculum and Development at Curriculum Technology. She also worked as a K-12 teacher and curriculum coach for the first 11 years of her career.

Amanda’s professional path was inspired by her grandparents, educators who started a private school in 1974, and she delights in working alongside instructional leaders of the regionally accredited, community-serving institutions that share our mission.

Amanda holds a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and Teacher Education from California State University Fresno, a Master of Science in Cross-Cultural Studies in Education from National University, and a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Denver. In her spare time, Amanda is a competitive equestrian. She’s Aunty Mandy to two beautiful nieces when not chasing dogs and riding horses.

What traits do you admire in a leader?

Vision, confidence, and the ability to take action; kindness, advocacy, and the ability to demonstrate vulnerability.

What are your core values?

Community, and the way we work to take care of others. Recognizing one’s gifts, and the way we aim to give those gifts to the world. Having experiences; and the way we embrace our courage to create space for what’s possible.

When all three are present, I have found that opportunity, advocacy, and impact always are as well.

What is your Risepoint moment?

In my late twenties I completed a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Denver and moved to San Diego, California, to go to work for a curriculum development firm that partnered with cross-sector colleges and universities to take programs online. This moment in my career marked the beginning of my professional journey into higher ed and helped to lay the foundation to develop the skillset and expertise that would ultimately lead me to our mission-driven organization that I’m honored to serve today.

Amanda Lynne Smith, Ph.D.

What traits do you admire in a leader?

What are your core values?

What is your Risepoint moment?

Meet our leadership