04/29/2026
Introducing our HEDCO Board Member Courtney Smith, a trusted advisor and accomplished government relations professional with more than fifteen years of experience advancing impactful public policy in higher education and healthcare. As Associate Vice President for Government Relations at The University of Texas at Tyler, she leads federal, state, and local advocacy efforts on behalf of both UT Tyler and the UT Health Science Center at Tyler.
Throughout her career, Courtney has earned a reputation as a results-oriented strategist skilled at building consensus and delivering measurable outcomes. She has successfully secured hundreds of millions in state appropriations and funding to support student success, workforce development, and healthcare access across East Texas. Her leadership has been instrumental in advancing critical initiatives, implementing innovative healthcare service contracts, and driving cross-functional projects that strengthen the region’s healthcare and educational infrastructure.
Before joining UT Tyler, Courtney served as staff in the Texas Senate and House of Representatives, where she developed deep legislative expertise and a network of trusted relationships with policymakers, community leaders, and industry stakeholders. Earlier in her career, she owned a top-performing Allstate Insurance agency, where she gained valuable business insight and advocacy experience at the federal level.
Courtney holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Administration from Wiley College and an MBA from The University of Texas at Tyler. A proud East Texan, she is active in her community and enjoys life in rural Rusk County with her husband, Shane.
