Robin McCullough Smith is a proud double alumnus, having earned both her BFA and MSSW at UT Austin. She teaches Practice and Field to MSSW students while also serving as a faculty liaison. Before joining the clinical faculty in 2010, Professor Smith taught undergraduate social work as an adjunct instructor, and prior to that worked as a therapist and admissions manager for St. David’s Pavilion psychiatric hospital. She has also worked as a PRN social worker in the emergency department of a local hospital. Professor Smith is a licensed clinical social worker, a board-certified clinical supervisor and a member of NASW.

From 2013 to 2021, in addition to her teaching and service duties, Professor Smith served as a program coordinator and trainer for multiple iterations of the Integrated Behavioral Health Scholars program at UT, which to date has trained and funded over a hundred MSSW students to provide behavioral healthcare to underserved populations. Preparing students to work in – and ultimately transform – behavioral healthcare continues to be her passion. Professor Smith currently serves as Program Coordinator for the substance use disorders certificate program at the SHS. She enjoys mentoring students and is happy to listen and share wisdom over a cup of tea and a snack. She practices self-care through exercise, cooking, travel, spiritual practice, art, TV, books, podcasts and time with family & friends.

Recognitions

  • Recipient of the Lora Lee Pederson Teaching Excellence Award, May 2021
  • Awarded the Certificate in Effective College Instruction by the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) at UT, May 2023

Professional Interests

Field education; mental health assessment and crisis intervention; healthcare social work; behavioral interventions and motivational interviewing; suicide assessment and prevention; 12-step recovery; family systems models of care.

Research