Reverend Dr. Rhonda M. Smith was born in Newark, New Jersey. She attended elementary school in Roselle and graduated with honors from Abraham Clark High School. She continued her education at Rutgers-The State University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Business and Masters degree in Public Administration. She completed her doctoral studies at Seton Hall University and received her PhD in August 2011.
Rhonda accepted Christ at an early age at the Macedonia Baptist Church and was baptized in 1977 under the leadership of Rev. Daniel J. Jenkins. She has been a dedicated member ever since. She is a member of the Ministerial Staff, Chair of the Building Fund, Sunday School, member of the Voices of Macedonia and Inspirational choirs and Church Administrator. Rhonda was licensed into the ministry in June 2004 and Ordained by the permanent council of the New Hope Missionary Baptist Association in October 2017.
She is employed with Robert Wood Johnson Medical School of Rutgers University where she is the Associate Dean of Faculty and Staff Affairs. She is also an adjunct professor at The Bloustein School of Public Policy at Rutgers University. When not working, Rhonda enjoys studying God’s word, shopping and reading.
Though met with challenges throughout life, Rhonda has always been able to overcome. She believes firmly in Romans 8:28, “And we know that ALL things work together for good to them that love God and are the called according to his purpose.”