Trisha Smith

Trisha Smith is Chief of Staff at the University of Cincinnati. In her role, she advises President Neville Pinto and oversees both the Office of the President and the Office of the Board of Trustees.

Smith serves as the liaison between the president and executive leadership. She is responsible for strategic oversight of the president’s initiatives, which support the university’s strategic direction, Next Lives Here. Smith helps guide the agenda for day-to-day engagement for President Pinto and is responsible for managing presidential stewardship in partnership with the UC Foundation.  

From 2017 to 2022, she served as Deputy Chief of Staff. Since her arrival, Smith has provided staff support to several executive-level national searches, including Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, Director of Athletics and Executive Director of Government Relations. She has also served as search committee chair for various additional positions and has served on the Cincinnati Scholarship Foundation Board since 2019. 

Prior to UC, Trisha worked in the Office of the President at the University of Louisville for 20 years serving under five presidents. She gained extensive experience in administrative operations, holding positions as Chief of Staff, Executive Director of Administrative Affairs, Boards Liaison and Director of Special Events. 

As Chief of Staff, she was responsible for the daily operations of the office, managing a staff of 15 employees, and served as the interface with the President and executive leadership. She also served as Assistant Secretary to the University of Louisville Board of Trustees and University of Louisville Athletics Association.  

Trisha is a two-time graduate of the University of Louisville. She received a baccalaureate degree from the College of Education and a master’s degree in Administration of Higher Education.