The Miami Dade College Board of Trustees has a new member, courtesy of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ appointment pen.
DeSantis has tapped David J. Smith, a lawyer with multiple professional ties to the United States Armed Forces, to serve on the seven-member panel.
He brings a strong public service background to the post.
Smith works today as a special assistant to the Combat Commander and speechwriter for the U.S. Southern Command Commander’s Action Group. He also serves in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve as a civil affairs officer and judge advocate.
Previously, he worked as a prosecutor under Miami-Dade County State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle.
Florida Bar records show Smith was admitted to practice law in May 2013.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Miami and a Juris Doctor from Suffolk University.
His appointment to the Board is subject to confirmation by the Senate.
Smith’s appointment comes roughly four and a half months after DeSantis named former Rep. José Félix Díaz and homicide detective Juan Segovia to the Board.
The Miami-Dade College District Board of Trustees is the governing body responsible for setting policy, overseeing administration and guiding the strategic direction of Miami Dade College, which in the 2018-19 term had the largest undergraduate enrollment of any college or university in the nation.
Board members are appointed by the Governor, subject to Senate confirmation and include leaders from business, education and public service. Together, they oversee the hiring of the college President, budgeting and ensuring that Miami Dade College fulfills its mission of accessible, affordable, high-quality education across its many campuses.
The Board made news in June, when its members voted to transfer high-value land the public college owns to the state for the future construction of a library honoring President Donald Trump.
After local historian Marvin Dunn sued to stop the transfer, arguing the Board violated Florida’s Sunshine Law by rushing its vote without proper public notice, the Board held a redo vote early last month and reached the same decision. A Judge then dismissed Dunn’s complaint.
Current panel members include Vice Chair Robert Alonso and members Ismare Monreal, Maria Blanco, Marcell Felipe and Nicole Washington.
