Meet Our Institutional Relations

Darin Smith-Gaddis

Vice President of Institutional Relations and Diversity Initiatives

Based in Los Angeles, California Darin is responsible for overseeing CAPA’s institutional relations, custom program teams’ and global JEDI initiatives.

Prior to joining CAPA, Darin spent six years at AFS Intercultural Programs USA, where he developed the U.S Department of State Youth Exchange and Study Abroad (YES Abroad) program, managed the Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) program, and redeveloped the AFS Faces of America diversity scholarship and recruitment program.

He has served on several committees and working groups for Diversity Abroad, including the Diversity Network High School Student Task Force, the Global Student Leadership Summit Planning Committee, and AIDE Roadmap 2.0 Working Group. Darin has participated on the Lessons from Abroad Curriculum Review Committee, The Forum Committed to Ending Global Racism Badging Program, and is the author of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Education Abroad Office chapter in the NAFSA Guide to Education Abroad 5th Edition. He also regularly presents at NAFSA, Forum, Diversity Abroad and other industry conferences.

Darin has a BA in Political Science from Northwestern University, an MPA in Public Sector Management and Leadership from California State University, Northridge, and is an alumnus of the NAFSA Management Development Program.

Originally from Alaska and a three-time study abroad participant, Darin enjoys traveling the world and gaining new insights and experiences.

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