Strategic Plan Working Groups

Each of the eight key initiatives of Compass 2035 will advance through new working groups that will be tasked with engaging in further analysis to determine the sequencing, resource alignment, measurable outcomes, and accountability required to implement each initiative.

Last updated March 2026

First-Year Launch Working Group

Charge Summary

The First-Year Launch Working Group will reimagine the first-year student experience with the goal of building purpose and resilience through a cross-campus success plan that bridges academic advising, foundational skill-building, and residential life. The group will develop a plan that integrates academic advising, student wayfinding and navigation, and residential life. Ultimately, the group will deliver actionable implementation proposals and timelines aligned with Compass 2035 and the Campus Use Plan to support a seamless transition into college for all students.

This group was convened in February 2026 and is expected to share initial recommendations in summer 2026.

Membership

  • Alex Keller, dean of the college and vice president for campus life, executive sponsor
  • Julie Ohotnicky, dean of students and associate vice president for campus life, co-chair
  • Tina Wildhagen, associate dean of the college, co-chair
  • Tamra Bates, associate dean of student affairs and director of student engagement
  • Justin Cammy, associate dean of the faculty and dean for academic development
  • Maleka Donaldson, associate professor of education and child study (Div 2 faculty rep)
  • Hannah Durrant, dean of student affairs and director of residence life
  • Jonathan Gosnell, professor of French studies (Div 1 faculty rep)
  • Patty Hentz, senior director of dining
  • Jenny Joyce, dean of the first-year class
  • Marge Litchford, associate dean of students and director of first-year experience
  • Sarah Moore, associate professor of engineering (Div 3 faculty rep)
  • L’Tanya Richmond, dean of multicultural affairs and director of the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship
  • Claire Seely, international students & scholars specialist
  • ej seibert, dean of student affairs and director of care and community standards
  • Fraser Stables, associate dean of integrative learning

Strategic Partnerships Research Group

Charge Summary

Prior to convening the Strategic Partnerships Working Group, the Strategic Partnerships Research Group will conduct a comprehensive inventory and analysis of Smith’s formal external collaborations to evaluate their alignment with the goals of Compass 2035. By documenting partnership attributes and interviewing stakeholders, the group will identify institutional strengths and opportunities within the current portfolio, and will provide a foundational framework for the college’s future partnerships.

Using the report from the Strategic Partnerships Research Group, beginning in fall 2026, the working group will evaluate, organize, and strengthen Smith’s approach to partnerships.

The research group will be convened in March 2026 and is expected to deliver their catalog of current partnerships in summer 2026.

Membership

  • Justin Cammy, associate dean of the faculty and dean for academic development
  • Denys Candy, director, Jandon Center for Community Engagement

Athletics Working Group

Charge Summary

The Athletics Working Group will evaluate and refine renovation options for the Ainsworth and Scott gymnasiums. The group is charged with ensuring that facility designs remain aligned with institutional priorities, fundraising goals, and financing strategies. Their findings will provide critical guidance to the college building committee and board of trustees to inform final project decisions.

This group was convened in January 2025 and is expected to work through project completion.

Membership

  • David DeSwert, executive vice president for finance and administration, co-executive sponsor
  • Alex Keller, dean of the college and vice president for campus life, co-executive sponsor 
  • Erinn McGurn ’94, associate vice president for sustainable capital programs, working group lead 
  • Eric Beattie, senior director of capital projects
  • Lisa Black ’81, trustee
  • Betsy Carpenter ’93, associate vice president for development
  • Kristin Hughes, M.S. ’93, director of athletics and recreation
  • Jill McGrath, associate vice president for finance and controller
  • Beth Raffeld, senior vice president for alumnae relations and development
  • Lynn Reichenbach ’81, trustee

Dining Experience Working Group

Charge Summary

The Dining Experience Working Group will leverage prior work and planning efforts to strengthen community, belonging, sustainability, and well-being through a renewed, equitable, and environmentally conscious dining experience. The working group will translate community feedback and recommendations from dining design and operations professionals into a cohesive vision for dining, articulating a clear near- and long-term vision and developing a practical, multiyear road map for implementation.

This group will be convened in spring 2026 and is expected to work through April 2027.

Membership

  • David DeSwert, executive vice president for finance and administration, co-executive sponsor 
  • Alex Keller, dean of the college and vice president for campus life, co-executive sponsor  
  • German Alvarado, director of culinary services, working group co-lead
  • Andy Cox, executive director of auxiliary services, working group co-lead  
  • Patty Hentz, senior director of dining services, working group co-lead
  • Hannah Durrant, dean of student affairs and director of residence life
  • Beth Hooker, senior director, CEEDS and sustainability
  • Cathy Kearney, assistant director of fundraising & group engagement, milestone Reunions, and staff council representative
  • Lil Knight ’94, communications editor and communications liaison
  • Amanda López, associate vice president for alumnae relations and executive director for the Alumnae Association of Smith College
  • Erinn McGurn ’94, assistant vice president of sustainable capital programs
  • Suleiman Ali Mourad, Myra M. Sampson Professor of Religion and Middle East Studies and faculty representative
  • Maria Schiano, associate dean of student affairs and director of accessibility
  • Natasha Tauscher, kitchen assistant for Dining Services

AI Initiative Steering Committee

Charge Summaries

Steering Committee

This institutional-level committee is the central governance body for the college’s artificial intelligence (AI) initiative. It is responsible for developing, reviewing, and overseeing AI policies, providing institutional guidance, and stewarding Smith’s overall approach to AI. The committee will oversee two working groups: the Academic Working Group and the Operations Working Group.

The steering committee was established in spring 2026. The two working groups will be convened in February 2026 and the timeline for completion will be ongoing.

Academic Working Group

 Lead and coordinate the use of AI as it relates to curriculum, teaching, learning, and student conduct.

Operations Working Group

Oversee the planning, implementation, and governance of AI projects within the administrative and operational functions of the institution.

Memberships

  • David DeSwert, executive vice president for finance & administration, co-executive sponsor
  • Daphne Lamothe, provost and dean of the faculty, co-executive sponsor
  • Heather Woods, chief information officer, steering committee lead 
  • Nick Howe, professor of computer science and faculty council representative
  • Heather Johns, vice president for communications and marketing
  • Alex Keller, dean of the college and vice president for campus life
  • Nancy Kirkpatrick, dean of libraries
  • Faith McClellan, dean of career development
  • Cate Rowen, assistant vice president of analytics & institutional research
  • Anne-Marie Szmyt, vice president for human resources

  • Daphne Lamothe, provost and dean of the faculty, working group lead
  • Alex Keller, dean of the college and vice president for campus life
  • Justin Cammy, associate dean of the faculty and dean for academic development
  • Faith McClellan, dean of career development
  • Denise McKahn, associate provost
  • Julie Ohotnicky, dean of students and associate vice president for campus life
  • Fraser Stables, associate dean of integrative learning 
  • Tina Wildhagen, associate dean of the college
  • Heather Woods, chief information officer

  • John Singler, associate vice president, enterprise applications and data services, working group lead 
  • Maureen Barry, assistant vice president of engagement programs, advancement operations 
  • Katie Bowling, AVP of total rewards, human resources
  • Gretchen Herringer, registrar
  • Ella Lanser, senior systems administrator, finance technology
  • Jack Manning, investor, Smith College Investments Office
  • Peggy Pryor, senior director of technology, change management
  • Tom Richardson, science center senior director
  • Tina Young, assistant director of student financial services

Institutional Discernment Working Group

Charge Summary

The Institutional Discernment Working Group will develop a framework that is designed to empower departments and individuals to evaluate what activities could be either sustained, optimized, or discontinued in order to better align with the college’s core mission. By fostering a culture of agency and expertise among staff, the group aims to reduce organizational strain and create the capacity necessary for high-priority work. This working group will consider training, communications, and formal processes to help units regularly and collectively refine their focus for a more effective and satisfying work environment.

This group will be convened in March 2026 and is expected to work through fall 2026.

Membership

Membership details forthcoming.

Want to Get Involved?

We’re excited about the implementation work ahead. If you’d like to raise your hand for occasional opportunities to share ideas, please let us know.

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