Dawn-Renee Smith has served as a deputy director since 2018. In this role, she provides oversight to the rehabilitative services division, which is focused on preparing individuals for release and includes the areas of classification and transportation, volunteers, non-clinical programming, education, vocational and life skills, reentry services, correctional industries and research. 

Under Smith’s leadership, the rehabilitative services division has implemented innovative ways to reach the population with programming, education and reentry services, including digital learning and interactive resources.  

Smith started her career with NDCS in 2005 as a caseworker at Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI). Since then, she has managed the agency’s legislative and communications divisions and served as the administrator for reentry services. Prior to being named deputy director, Smith served as chief of staff, providing oversight of research, communications, legislation and policy development and accreditation.

Smith earned a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University and has extensive experience in human services, with an emphasis in behavioral health, grant writing and fundraising.