Mia Smith-Bynum holds a PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Virginia and is currently Associate Professor in the Department of Family Science at the University of Maryland. Dr. Smith-Bynum is an expert in African American mental health, family interaction and communication in ethnic minority families, parenting, and racial identity. She also has expertise in adolescent mental health and adolescent sexual behavior. Dr. Smith-Bynum teaches a survey course on family life and courses on racial and ethnic issues in family life. She is the Director of the Honors Program in the Department of Family Science.