Dr. Bill L. Smith, Director of the Martin Institute and Martin School, claims to have the best job on the UI campus.  A historian by training, he finds the combination of fields of study embodied in the International Studies degree fits his interests perfectly, prompting him to embrace the interdisciplinary program wholeheartedly.  He says that one of the great things about working with the Institute and School (as well as the affiliated Borah Foundation) is the chance to study new topics every year, which is a rare treat for an academic.  He points to the uncommonly engaged and consistently excellent students affiliated with the Martin School as one of the true joys in life.

Hired by the Institute in 2000, Dr. Smith lives in Pullman with his wife, Kaari, and daughters Bailey and Kasey. He has lived in Mexico, Portugal, and Spain in addition to his native California.  In his spare time he enjoys reading, playing games with his family, gardening, and playing, watching, and discussing both international soccer and MLS.