[2] Smatresk had previously served as president of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, a role he held from 2009 to 2014.

From 2007 to 2009, Smatresk served at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, as executive vice president and provost.

[4] In 1979, Smatresk participated in a research expedition of alpha helix in Micronesia under the auspices of the National Science Foundation.

From 1980 to 1982, Smatresk was a National Institutes of Health trainee at University Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia.

In December 1970, Smatresk performed with the Gettysburg College Choir at the White House for President Richard Nixon.