Brandon Smith is an educator and learner, beginning his post-secondary journey as a first-generation student hailing from Welland, ON. Brandon’s primary focus working in higher education is enhancing the student experience outside of the classroom, which connects to his work in Student Affairs and Services. With an honours degree from Trent University, and nearly completing his M.Ed from OISE at the University of Toronto, Brandon’s research interests focus on organizational behaviour, leadership, and narrative inquiry, with publications focused on Emotional Intelligence (EQ:i) and student /adult development. Brandon has received provincial and national recognition for management and curriculum design, where he has presented on these topics at international, national, and regional conferences. Brandon intends to pursue a PhD tying competency development to organizational behaviour and structures.