AZUSA, Calif.— Santa Monica resident Michael Smith, MFA, Ed.D., associate professor in the Department of Theater, Film, and Television at Azusa Pacific University, received a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship for the 2012—2013 school year.
Smith’s Fulbright scholar award enables him to teach cinematic visual design at the Red Sea Institute of Cinematic Arts (RSICA) in Amman, Jordan, and review RSICA curriculum.
“A Fulbright award represents a significant opportunity for cross-cultural learning and exchange. It allows me to share my expertise in the area of cinematic arts production, especially visual design, with a region of the world that is very interested in building a world-class cinema industry,” said Smith. “In addition, this experience will enhance my teaching and creativity at APU.”
Along with Mary Wong, Ph.D., APU professor in the Department of Global Studies, Sociology, and TESOL, Smith is 1 of approximately 1,100 U.S. faculty and professionals who will travel abroad this year through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program.
Since its establishment in 1946 under legislation introduced by the late Senator J. William Fulbright, the Fulbright Program has provided approximately 294,000 people – 108,160 Americans who have studied, taught, or researched abroad and 178,340 students, scholars and teachers from other countries who have engaged in similar activities in the United States–with the opportunity to observe each others’ political, economic, educational, and cultural institutions, to exchange ideas and to embark on international ventures of importance. The program operates in over 155 countries worldwide.
Smith holds a MFA in Film/Video Production from the University of Southern California and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of California, Los Angeles. As a filmmaker, Smith has worked around the world on documentary and narrative productions. He also produced the City of the Angels Film Festival and has served as the director of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) Cinema Studies Conference. As an educator, Smith designed the BFA in Cinematic Arts Production at APU.
