I’m Sol.

I have been a college professor for 20 years, specializing in Mindset, Happiness, and Self-Liberation courses. As a Life Coach and Neurodivergent Consultant, I have had the privilege of helping numerous individuals realize their own potential, embracing paths that exist beyond the confines of societal molds. Personally, I am dyslexic, autistic, and have ADHD. Through my own journey, I have learned to navigate a society primarily designed for neurotypicals, reaching for success in my own unique way.

Sol Smith, MS, MFA, EDS

What People Are Saying

  • Sol Smith's coaching has been pivotal during an intensely transformative phase of my life. With ADHD and personal experiences of neurodivergence, Sol offered unique insights that deeply resonated with me. His approach doesn't pathologize traits but embraces them as strengths, reframing my outlook on life in a neurotypical world.

    In our 1:1 coaching sessions, Sol’s empathy and understanding were instrumental in my unmasking journey. His sessions weren't just insightful but also comforting, speaking directly to my unique experiences and emotions.

    Participation in Sol's "Unmasking Support Group" was an enriching addition to our 1:1 sessions, fostering a supportive community that is invaluable. His services, flexible and accessible, cater to a variety of needs and budgets.

    I wholeheartedly recommend Sol Smith's coaching. His profound understanding and dedication make him an ally in navigating the challenges of ADHD, guiding you towards self-discovery and acceptance.

  • “Amazing experience. I've never had someone put into words all of these thoughts and experiences I've had.”

  • "I'm a college student, and what I've learned from Professor Sol is how to be my own teacher. I can follow my interests to help me get through classes in new ways."

  • "When I learned I was autistic, I became worried about my future. After working with Sol, my future seems better than ever!"

  • "I struggle with PDA. I don't think I'll ever be totally free of it, but I can choose the things I really need to do and cope with them. That doesn't sound like much, unless you have PDA."

Education

MS, Psychology     

Southern New Hampshire University,                                                  

 Thesis: “Rethinking Autism: Letting Experience Describe the Condition.”

EdS, Education

Walden University

MFA, Writing

Goddard College

BA, ENGLish

San Diego State University

Cert. Autism Specialist

International Board of Credentialing

Professional Experience

Circle-In, South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia                                                           2024

Independent Consultant, Mental Health Media Development

  • Identify and contextualize workplace psychological hazards for neurodivergent people.

  • Write impactful scripts that capture the nature of psychological hazards with concrete examples and effective solutions.

  • Create engaging video content that is immediately digestible, integrated into workplaces that use the Microsoft Teams platform, delivered through Well by Circle In.

 

Life Coach, Freelance                                                                                       2020-Present

Specializing in Neuro-Affirming Coaching,

  • Create and deliver uniquely empowering life coaching built on the tenants of Positive Psychology.

  • Build client confidence and self-understanding, while identifying strengths.

  • Support and assess client success as they move towards meaningful, self-directed changes in their lives and environments.

 

Self-Development Course Creator, ProfessorSol.com                                     2021-presnt

Neuro-Affirming Educator, Educational Media Development

  • Creating engaging video courses addressing the unique challenges faced by neurodivergents.

  • Accessing, analyzing, and using the latest research data in contextualized approaches to solutions-based education.

 

Tiktok                                                                                                                 2023-presnt

Content Creator, Daily Neuro-Affirming content

  • Creating engaging videos address the stigma surrounding differing neurotypes.

  • Sharing the latest research about autism and ADHD.

  • Laboring to address myths surrounding diverse neurotypes.

  • Maintaining positive tone in videos and conversation, despite overall culture of despair.

Teaching Experience

Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester, NH               2014 to Present

Adjunct Professor, English

  • Teaching Literacy, Literature, Creative Writing, and Critical Thinking

  • Faculty evaluations “exceed expectations.”

  • Awarded “Outstanding Educator 2024”.

Laguna College of Art and Design, Laguna Beach, CA                2015 to 2024

Associate Professor and Department Chair, Liberal Arts

  • Co-Founded Equity and Inclusion Committee—dedicated to the improvement of minority and underrepresented student experience at LCAD.

  • Served as faculty advisor for Black Student Union—helping to prepare event programming and raise awareness of the BSU.

  • Pioneered online education at LCAD.

  • Instituting online teacher training, writing LCAD Online Education Guidelines, leading the scramble to teach remotely during the 2020 pandemic period.

  • Oversaw the approval of new course and curricular changes as Chair of Curriculum.

  • Led the overhaul of self-governance policy as President of Faculty Senate.

  • Solved systemic retention issues and promoted student success as a member of the Retention Committee.

  • Supervised the hiring of faculty, both full time and part time for Liberal Arts and Art History programs.

  • Evaluated full and part time instructors.

  • Developed and taught LA100-First Year Seminar, a course required for all students covering topics of metacognition, mindset, time management, learning resources, outcome achievement, and student enrichment. Course development and implementation has improved retention by a statistically significant measure.

  • Developed and taught LA209-Dystopian Literature, covering critical thinking, literary analysis, civic engagement, written communication, and oral communication.

  • Developed and taught LA280-Feminist Literature, covering critical thinking, literary analysis, civic engagement, written communication, and oral communication.

  • Served in LCAD Writing Lab

  • Teaching evaluations “exceed expectations.”

  

Long Beach City College, Long Beach, CA                                       2014 to 2023

Adjunct Professor, English

  • Teaching Literacy, Literature, Creative Writing, and Critical Thinking

  • Voted “Most Inspirational Teacher” by EOPS students in 2016.

 

University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA                                2014-2015

Lecturer, Composition

  • Taught Writing 39C-Advanced Composition, the most advanced course in writing for non-Humanities majors, covering topics of written communication, oral communication, and information literacy, including research.

 

 

Santa Ana College, Santa Ana, CA                                        2013 -2014

Associate Professor, English

  • Assessment Committee-served to help assessment activities and draft research reports related to assessment.

 

Delta College, University Center, MI                                     2009 -2013

Associate Professor, English

  • Faculty Senate, English Representative. Serving to represent the faculty in shared governance; Fought to institute policies to extend benefits to “domestic partners.”

  • Founder of Communicating Across the Curriculum Student Conference. Managed money and coordinated three-day student speech conference; coordinated presentations and judging; awarded scholarships.

  • Assessment Committee member. Assisted in the drafting and revision of Institutional

Learning Outcomes (ILO), assisted in the drafting and revision of Program Learning Outcomes (PLO), assisted in assessment studies and in writing assessment reports.

  • Scholarship Committee. Read applications and awarded student academic scholarships.

  • Faculty Handbook Committee member. Served to help revise and revisit policies concerning faculty.

  • Student Activities Committee member. Served to help student organizations coordinate and request funding for student activities; awarded funds for student activity requests.

 

Lone Star College, Conroe, TX                                              2007-2009

Associate Professor, English

  • Faculty Senate, English Representative. Served to represent the faculty in shared governance.

  • Communicating Across the Curriculum Committee member. Served in a cognitive coaching committee dedicated to the improvement of instruction at the college.

  • Student Life Committee member. Served to help student organizations plan, coordinate, and implement extensive student activities; allocated funds based on merit and need.

  • Student Scholarship Committee member. Served to read and discuss student scholarship applications; awarded funds based on merit, need, and execution of proposal.

 

 

Huston-Tillotson University, Austin, TX                              2005-2007

Assistant Professor, English

  • Austin’s oldest educational institution, and one of the top HBCUs in Texas.

  • Faculty Senate, English Representative. Served to represent the faculty in shared governance.

  • Founding faculty advisor for the HTU Ram, student monthly newspaper.

  • Founding faculty advisor for HTU Connections, student essay publication.

  • Served in HTU Writer’s Studio, tutoring students at every level of writing for any writing project, creative or academic.

  • Advanced writing across the curriculum initiatives.

  • Teaching Literacy, Literature, Creative Writing, and Critical Thinking

 

Texas State Technical College, Waco, TX                            2003-2005

Instructor, English

  • Largest public technical college in Texas.

  • Faculty Senate, Academic Chair. Served to represent the faculty in shared governance. Chaired committee on curriculum development and implementation.

  • Writing Across the Curriculum Committee member. Served committee to help instructors in technical fields better implement writing projects as evidence of learning.

  • Creative Writing Committee member. Committee dedicated to developing creative writing courses and projects for students.

  • Founding faculty advisor, Creative Confluence: Student Creative Writing publication.

  • Taught ESL to hundreds of students from Angola, as part of a work training program with Exxon-Mobile.

  • Taught American Culture to hundreds of students from Angola, as part of a work training program with Exxon-Mobile.

  • Winner of “Most Innovating Teacher” Award.

 

McLennan Community College, Waco, TX                         2003-2005

Adjunct Instructor, English

  • Teaching Literacy, Literature, Creative Writing, and Critical Thinking

 

California State University, Monterey Bay, Seaside, CA   2002-2003

Instructor, English

  • Teaching Literacy, Literature, Creative Writing, and Critical Thinking

  • ESL Lab Tutor

  • Writing Lab Tutor

 

Conference Presentations

  • Smith, S. “The Link Between Stress, Depression, and Creativity.” LCAD Student Life Speaker Series, Oct. 16, 2020.

  • Smith, S. “Teaching Social Change Pedagogies to Boost Creativity.” The Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design Symposium, Feb. 20, 2019.

  • Smith, S. “Writing for Social Change for Student Engagement.” Proceedings of Liberal Arts Network for Development, Feb. 14, 2013.

  • Smith, S. “Teaching Writing for Social Change in Freshman Composition.” Proceedings of International Writing Across the Curriculum Conference, June. 7-8, 2012.

Podcast

Education vs Schooling

An exciting podcast that examines the advantages of formal education while diving into many of the hidden messages that tend to alienate students, especially members of underrepresented populations. This lecture series helps students to focus on their own learning while still managing to play the “education game” that school asks of us.

Book Publications

  • Smith, S., Love Notes Scribbled on my iPhone, Fresno: Brave New Genre, 2020

  • Smith, S., The Demons of Angel Camp: California Dreadfuls 4, Fresno: Brave New Genre, 2015.

  • Smith, S., Escondido’s Lady in White: California Dreadfuls 3, Fresno: Brave New Genre, 2015.

  •  Smith, S., Danger at Donner Pass: California Dreadfuls 2, Fresno: Brave New Genre, 2014.

  •  Smith, S., The Ghosts of San Francisco Bay: California Dreadfuls 1, Fresno: Brave New Genre, 2014.

  •  Smith, S., Travels with Charlie: A Modern Search for America, Fresno: Brave New Genre, 2013.

  •  Smith, S., The Traveler, Savannah: Jupiter Gardens, 2009.

Journal Publications

  • Smith, S., “Night of the Drunken Santa,” Creative Nonfiction: Ampersand Review, 2013.

  • Smith, S., “Grand Canyon,” Creative Nonfiction: Mainstreet 360, 2012.

  • Smith, S., “The Burrito,” Creative Nonfiction: Prick of the Spindle, 2011.

Presentations and Invited Lectures

  • Panel Presentation Moderator, “Evoking a Sense of Place,” Texas Books Festival, Oct. 2008

  • Panel Presentation Moderator, “Murder and Mystery in Texas,” Texas Books Festival, Oct. 2008

  •  Panel Presentation Moderator, “Evoking a Sense of Place,” Texas Books Festival, Oct. 2007

  •  Panel Presentation Moderator, “Academic Dramas,” Texas Books Festival, Oct. 2006

Professional Training

Certificate of Positive Psychology

Penn State University, 2022

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certification

Southern New Hampshire University, 2020

DEI Training

Canvas Certification

Long Beach Community College, 2020

Certified for online teaching.

Equity and Inclusion Seminar

Laguna College of Art and Design, 2020

DEI Training

Moodle Certification

Laguna College of Art and Design, 2018

Certified for online teaching.

Professional Affiliations

National Society of Leadership and Success, 2020-Present

Member of national student honor society

California Teachers Association, 2014-Present

Member of teachers association

Professional Affiliations

National Society of Leadership and Success, 2020-Present

Member of national student honor society

California Teachers Association, 2014-Present

Member of teachers association

Chat with me

Schedule a Discovery Call and let’s see if we’re a good fit!