Rate My Professor Jessi Smith

Montana State University

Psychology Social Science Education Social Psychology

4.5

2 reviews · out of 5

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Ratings & reviews

5.05/4/2026

Makes even the toughest topics accessible.

4.06/27/2025

Helps students see the value in learning.

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About Jessi

Jessi L. Smith served as Professor of Social Psychology in the Department of Psychology at Montana State University, becoming the first woman to advance through the academic ranks to full professor in the department. She earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Utah in 2002, an M.S. in Psychology from the University of Utah in 2000, and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs in 1997. Smith's research focuses on the social psychology of motivation, examining how stereotypes related to gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation influence intrinsic motivation, performance, and persistence, particularly in STEM domains. She developed the Stereotyped Task Engagement Process (STEP) model, which integrates cultural stereotypes and individual factors to predict motivational mismatches in stereotyped fields. Her experimental and longitudinal studies address educational, political, and health contexts, with funding from the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health exceeding $10 million.