Kathleen McCartney, the Gerald S. Lesser Professor in Early Childhood Development, was named dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Education in 2006; she became only the fifth woman dean in Harvard’s history. In collaboration with a dedicated faculty and administrative team, she has implemented a strategic plan that has resulted in the creation of two new degree programs, the doctorate in education leadership (Ed.L.D.), and a new interfaculty Ph.D. in education; a 25 percent growth in core faculty; a doubling of financial aid for Ed.M. students; a dramatic increase in fellowship support for doctoral students; and the establishment of a partner network with more than 30 districts and non-profit organizations.
From Pres-elect Kathleen McCartney: Thank you for such a warm welcome to Smith! Your tweets and messages mean so much to me. #smithieslead
— Smith College Tweets (@smithcollege) December 10, 2012
McCartney’s research program concerns early experience and development, and she has published more than 150 articles and chapters on child care, early childhood education, and poverty. She is a member of the NICHD Early Child Care Research Network, which summarized the results of their longitudinal study in Child Care and Child Development. She also co-edited Experience and Development, The Blackwell Handbook of Early Childhood Development and Best Practices in Developmental Research Methods.
McCartney received her B.S. in psychology summa cum laude from Tufts University, where she now serves as a trustee, and her M.S. and Ph.D. in developmental psychology from Yale University. She is a member of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences and the National Academy of Education, and in 2009 she received the Distinguished Contribution Award from the Society for Research in Child Development. McCartney is also a Fellow of the American Education Research Association, the American Psychological Association and the American Psychological Society.
The New York Times: A Dean at Harvard Is Chosen to Lead Smith College
The Boston Globe: Smith College Names Kathleen McCartney as 11th President
The Boston Herald: Smith College Selects Harvard Leader as New President
Inside Higher Ed: Harvard Dean Will Be Next Smith President
The Harvard Gazette: McCartney Named President of Smith
The Harvard Crimson: Ed School Dean To Leave for Smith College
Harvard Magazine: Kathleen McCartney Appointed Smith College President
For the Media: Laurie Fenlason, Smith College vice president for public affairs, is a resource for journalists. Please contact her at lfenlaso@smith.edu with inquiries.
