In Memoriam: Rita Smith-Wade-El, 1948-2018

Rita Smith-Wade-El, a professor of psychology and African American studies at Millersville University in Pennsylvania, died on December 29. She was 70 years old.

Dr. Smith-Wade-El served as the director of the African Americans studies minor program at Millersville University. She was also co-director of the Ethnic Studies Learning Community Freshman Experience at the University.

Before joining the faculty at Millersville University, Dr. Smith-Wade-El was a tenured faculty member at Temple University in Philadelphia. Earlier she taught at East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania, St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, and the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Smith-Wade-El is a graduate of Barnard College in New York City. She earned a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.