Michelle Smith Ware
Academic Advisor
Co-Director of the Balfour-Hesburgh Scholars Program
Faculty Rank: Associate Professional Specialist
Michelle Smith Ware is an academic advisor in the University of Notre Dame’s First Year of Studies (FYS) and holds the rank of associate professional specialist. She primarily advises engineering intents and first-year students on the women’s swimming and diving team.
As the co-director of the Balfour-Hesburgh Scholars Program within FYS, Smith Ware helps promote intellectual engagement, leadership, research, and service opportunities for high-achieving students who are also members of groups that have been historically underrepresented in higher education. In addition, she co-teaches “Introduction to the Research Process” and “Balfour Fall Follow Up” in FYS.
Smith Ware received her B.S. in psychology from Xavier University of Louisiana and her M.S. in counseling psychology from Springfield College (Springfield, Mass.); she is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in educational psychology and educational technology at Michigan State University. Her research interests include educational technology integration and pedagogy, digital identity development, and student success as well as achievement motivation and persistence of underrepresented and first-generation students.
In 2013, Smith Ware was selected to participate in the 2013–2015 Global Community for Academic Advising (NACADA) Emerging Leaders Program. She has continued her leadership in NACADA as past chair of the NCAA Advisory Board (2016-2018), chair of the Inclusion & Engagement Committee Chair (2017-2019) and incoming member-elect to the Board of Directors (2019-2022).