Skip Navigation

Individual. Global. Exceptional.

About the Office

The Office of Human Resources is staffed by dedicated professionals who are committed to:

  • serving as an institutional catalyst in support of the strategic mission of Smith College
  • partnering with employees to create a positive, inclusive and productive work culture in which each member of the community shares in the responsibility and recognition for their support of the college's mission
  • providing leadership and services that foster a learning environment, encouraging creativity, development and empowerment at all levels of the institution

The Office of Human Resources fosters and promotes a work environment that:

  • encourages creativity and new ideas
  • makes faculty and staff feel welcomed, respected and nurtured
  • helps each member of the community share in the responsibility for supporting the college's mission

Organizational Charts

Our Staff

Avril Russell

Administrative Assistant
Recognition, degree verification, CORI/background screening checks and name changes. General employment inquiries, I-9s and new employment paperwork, records retention and general administrative support
​413-585-2271​

Jenny Silver

Assistant Director
​Employee and labor relations, staff grievances, management of employment policies/recruitment and organizational assessments
413-585-2288

Kate Harrington

HR Manager
Staffing and recruitment administration, recruitment consulting, learning and development, supporting the Associate Vice President for Human Resources
​413-585-2268

Kevin Kerwood

Associate Director
Benefits administration and total compensation
413-585-2266

Larry Hunt

Associate Vice President for Human Resources
General human resources and administrative services leadership, research, planning, policy development/implementation, staff grievances and employee/labor relations
413-585-2262

Jen Tenczar

HR Coordinator
General employment inquiries, Banner Human Resource records, accrued leave balance information and maintenance, Banner leave reports, Banner web pins and arrivals, departures and transfers
413-585-2274

Lynn Cocco

HR Manager
Tuition benefits administration, flex spending accounts, life and long-term disability, COBRA, Employee Assistance Program, compensation, budgets and compliance
​413-585-2273

Serena Harris

HR Specialist, Recruitment
Worker compensation administration, medical and all other leaves, temporary/casual and union hiring, summer employment program and affirmative action officer
​413-585-2289

Susan Peterson

HR Technology Specialist
Database queries for reports and audits, annual federal reports (IPEDS, AAUP, AAP), database procedure analysis, Banner feature/revision testing, data custodian for HRBAR and Banner, HR website and employee handbook, and technical liaison between HR and AT/ITS
​413-585-2267

Tina Benoit

HR Specialist
New employee benefits enrollment, health insurance, dental insurance, retirement administration, compliance, and health and dependent care subsidies
​413-585-2275

Alyssa Grant

HR Assistant
HR Fair; annual open enrollment; vendor data entry and payment remittance for employee benefits, including medical, dental, vision, FSA, DCFSA and COBRA; benefits verification requests; new employee orientation; I-9s and terminations.
​413-585-2287