UNC School of Medicine Assistant Dean for Human Resources Bonnie Smith will retire in March 2023.
Smith has been with the UNC School of Medicine for more than 16 years, beginning in the role of administrative officer and advancing through the years. Smith’s leadership has focused on strategic planning, change management, organizational development, customer relationship management and more.
Smith oversaw important School of Medicine initiatives, including the creation of the HR Service Center and efforts to keep the School of Medicine’s business operations moving forward throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I want to thank Bonnie for her many years of service to the UNC School of Medicine as well as for her leadership and guidance,” said Associate Dean for Administration Karlina Matthews. “Something Bonnie says often is that she prides herself on her ability to recognize talent, to hire people who are smarter than she is, and to help them do great work. She has developed an incredible human resources team that will carry forward her legacy, in turn helping all of us to improve health outcomes and save lives across North Carolina.”
Smith has more than 35 years of experience as a human resources professional. In addition to her service to the UNC School of Medicine, she also served UNC-Chapel Hill in other roles, including work in the University’s Office of Human Resources as well as in Facilities Services, the Kenan-Flagler Business School and the Adams School of Dentistry.
“It’s truly been an honor and privilege to support our amazing faculty, staff and students,” Smith said. “I’ve devoted my entire career to service, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.”
Smith was a captain in the U.S. Army. She was stationed at Fort Bragg and what was then West Germany, before coming to UNC-Chapel Hill in 1991. She received top honors at the Adjutant General Advanced Officer Course, two Army Commendation Medals, one Army Achievement Medal, and the Army Parachutist Badge. She received her bachelor’s degree, cum laude, and was a Distinguished Military Graduate from Wake Forest University.