Ryan Smith - Columbia College Chicago

Ryan Smith

Associate Professor of Instruction

rysmith@colum.edu

Biography

Ryan Smith is an Associate Professor of Instruction and Co-Director of Graduate Programs in the Business and Entrepreneurship Department. He teaches and coordinates undergraduate courses including Accounting, Finance, Information Management, and Personal Finance. Ryan also teaches Accounting for Decision Making and Financial Management in the Master of Arts Management program, and Financial Forecasting and Planning in the Master of Entrepreneurship for Creatives program.

Ryan held the position of Box Office and Digital Media Manager at the Chicago Sinfonietta, overseeing the non-profit organization’s day-to-day sales, with a strong focus on customer relationship management, financial reporting and projections, and e-commerce development. He went on to serve as the Director of Marketing where he developed marketing strategies, leveraging dynamic creative and strategic partnerships that led to record-breaking sales. Ryan developed and managed the organization’s marketing budget and held supporting positions within the Finance and Information Technology departments.

Ryan served as a manager for a former World Wrestling Entertainment professional wrestler, overseeing the performer’s digital content, and coordinating appearances and promotions. He has worked in broadcasting, both as a producer and talent in terrestrial radio, Internet radio, and podcasting. Ryan is the co-owner of Smithshow, LLC, a digital media company based in Chicago. He manages the organization's finances and contributes to content creation on a variety of digital platforms.

Ryan earned a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies and Sociology-Social Psychology from Western Michigan University, and a Master of Arts Management from Columbia College Chicago.

Instructional Areas

Accounting, Finance, Information Management, Nonprofit Management, Personal Finance

Creative Practice and Research Interests

Online Education, Demystifying Finance, Performing Arts Innovation, Podcasting, Psychogeography, and Digital Media as a Catalyst for Change

Degrees

B.A., Film, Video and Media Studies / Sociology Western Michigan University 2007
M.A.M., Media Management Columbia College Chicago 2009