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.

The Catherine (Kiki) Hunter Smith relate to her years spent at Smith College as an undergraduate student, dating from 1967 to 1971. Types of materials include academic work, appointment books, correspondence, diaries, photographs, resumes, Freshman Carnival information, Sophomore PUSH songs, Junior Ushers paperwork, student government documents such as letters to class representatives and flyers for events, and Morris House memorabilia, including a freshman house handbook.