About
SMASH offers STEM-focused learning for high school and college students through academic learning and experiential engagement. SMASH Residential includes courses in computer science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, along with other STEM subjects. SMASH Virtual provides online exposure to STEM and emerging technology topics and connects students with STEM career professionals.
• Schedule: SMASH Academy began as a residential summer program and later expanded to include year-round academic programming.
SMASH was founded in 2004 under the name Summer Math and Science Honors (SMASH) Academy, with its first site program launched on the University of California, Berkeley campus. It was one of the earliest STEM education programs in the United States created to prepare students for STEM college studies. In response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, SMASH launched its first virtual program for SMASH Academy and SMASH Rising. SMASH has served more than 2,000 scholars from groups underrepresented in STEM fields. Reported outcomes include 98% of scholars mastering computer science technical skills, 100% of scholars being accepted to college, and 79% of scholars graduating with STEM degrees.
The SMASH leadership team includes Jonathan Durfield as Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Hassan Brown as Chief Partnerships Officer, and Amanda Prothero as Chief Development Officer. Jonathan Durfield holds a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Pepperdine University. Dr. Hassan Brown holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Morehouse College, a master’s degree in forensic psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, a master’s degree in education from Hunter College, and a Doctor of Education Leadership degree from Harvard University. The SMASH mission is to build a strong STEM workforce through academic learning and experiential engagement, empower dedicated students in STEM fields through intensive education, rigorous coursework, and access to resources, and create a STEM ecosystem where every student can thrive in the global economy while enriching communities and workplaces with well-prepared, competitive leaders.
Last updated August 10, 2026.
• Schedule: SMASH Academy began as a residential summer program and later expanded to include year-round academic programming.
SMASH was founded in 2004 under the name Summer Math and Science Honors (SMASH) Academy, with its first site program launched on the University of California, Berkeley campus. It was one of the earliest STEM education programs in the United States created to prepare students for STEM college studies. In response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, SMASH launched its first virtual program for SMASH Academy and SMASH Rising. SMASH has served more than 2,000 scholars from groups underrepresented in STEM fields. Reported outcomes include 98% of scholars mastering computer science technical skills, 100% of scholars being accepted to college, and 79% of scholars graduating with STEM degrees.
The SMASH leadership team includes Jonathan Durfield as Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Hassan Brown as Chief Partnerships Officer, and Amanda Prothero as Chief Development Officer. Jonathan Durfield holds a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Pepperdine University. Dr. Hassan Brown holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Morehouse College, a master’s degree in forensic psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, a master’s degree in education from Hunter College, and a Doctor of Education Leadership degree from Harvard University. The SMASH mission is to build a strong STEM workforce through academic learning and experiential engagement, empower dedicated students in STEM fields through intensive education, rigorous coursework, and access to resources, and create a STEM ecosystem where every student can thrive in the global economy while enriching communities and workplaces with well-prepared, competitive leaders.
Last updated August 10, 2026.
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