Dr. Thurston Smith is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Sociology at Graceland University, and an administrative and program surveyor for CARF International, a nonprofit accreditor of health and human service agencies that aims to improve the quality of services and outcomes for individuals served. A civic leader possessing a broad range of expertise in the areas of public policy, behavioral health, criminal justice, professional training, and organizational leadership, Thurston has a distinguished service history replete with numerous public service appointments.
With an over 25-year service history on the municipal, county, state, and federal levels, Thurston is a retiree from the U.S. Veterans’ Health Administration, where he has served in a variety of leadership roles throughout his civil service career, which includes congressional liaison, addiction treatment program manager, and supervisor of therapeutic and supported employment services programs. He’s an ordained minister, licensed clinical practitioner, and clinical supervisor, and holds advanced credentialing in counseling and civic leadership. Thurston earned a Master of Public Administration degree from Capella University School of Public Service Leadership and a Doctor of Ministry degree in Community Wellness and Social Justice, at Memphis Theological Seminary.
Thurston’s contributions to society and the public good are extensive and he’s been a sought after subject-matter expert, presenter, panelist, and professional advisor for a number of public agencies and universities, which include: the U.S. Department of Defense, Treasury Department, State Department, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District, U.S. Courts, White House, the Health Resources Services Administration, Medical University of South Carolina, Rutgers University, University of Memphis, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Capella University, and others.
A tireless advocate for improving access to services in marginalized communities, Thurston is a founding member of the NAADAC Critical Issues in the Black Community Committee. His contributions to the health and human services industry also include his gubernatorial appointments to the Charleston/Dorchester Mental Health Board, Charleston County Foster Care Review Board, and appointment as the South Carolina Liaison to the Southeast Addiction Technology Transfer Center (SEATTC) at Morehouse School of Medicine. He’s also served as an advisor and subject-matter expert for the Center of African American Recovery Development (CAARD), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Shelby County Commission. and in 2022, was appointed by the Shelby County Mayor as chairman of the mayor’s Healthcare Access Committee.
Thurston has provided oral testimony before the Tennessee Legislative Black Caucus on matters pertaining juvenile justice reform and the U.S. Congressional Black Caucus Political Education and Leadership Institute on criminal justice reform. He was also selected to serve as a Project Team Member for the Provincial Government of Western Cape, in their strategic redress of substance abuse in Cape Town, South Africa. He’s served three terms on the Tennessee Community Resource Board (TCRB) of the Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDOC), three terms on the Shelby County Juvenile Justice Consortium (CJJC), and is a former reentry and sanctions center case manager for Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA), in Washington, D.C.
Commensurate with his strong commitment to public advocacy, through joint proclamation, Thurston has been honored by the Shelby County Board of Commissioners, Shelby County Mayor, Tennessee House of Representatives, Tennessee Senate, and Tennessee Governor, for outstanding public service. Upon fulfilling a three-year Federal Advisory Committee appointment with the U.S. Treasury Department, he received the 2020 Presidential Volunteer Service Award.