Kiki Smith was born Catherine Hunter Smith on December 4, 1949 to Dr. and Mrs. Arthur M. Smith. She attended St. Anne's School in Charlottesville, Virginia prior to her enrollment at Smith College. Smith majored in Theater, with minors in English and Art. She was Class President for both her junior and senior years. After receiving an MA in Drama with emphasis in history and directing from the University of Virginia and an MFA with emphasis in costume and lighting design from the University of Texas, she returned to Smith College as an Instructor in Theatre and Speech, 1974 - 1977; Assistant Professor of Theatre and Speech, 1977 - 1986; Associate Professor of Theatre and Speech, 1986 - 1995, and Professor of Theatre and Speech, 1995- present. Smith also served as Dean of Freshmen, 1983 - 1986; and Associate Dean of the Faculty, 1990 - 1992.
From the guide to the Catherine (Kiki) Hunter Smith Papers RG 80. Class of 1971., 1967-71, (Smith College Archives)
