Matthew Grimes Appointed Vice President for Equity and Inclusion

Dear Friends,

It is my pleasure to announce the appointment of Matthew Grimes as Smith’s vice president for equity and inclusion effective July 1, 2026.

Matthew is an accomplished leader of equity and inclusion with more than a decade of experience spanning the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Most recently, he has served as head of engagement and belonging for the Major League Baseball team the Cleveland Guardians, where he led enterprise-wide efforts to advance inclusion across players, staff, fans, and community partners, helping to position the franchise as a leader in advancing equity in professional sports.

Before entering professional sports, Matthew spent more than a decade in public education, including in the public school system of Springfield, Massachusetts, where he served as a teacher and systems leader focused on expanding opportunity and improving educational outcomes. Across his career, he has helped organizations strengthen inclusive leadership practices and build cultures of belonging.

Matthew has been celebrated for his leadership, including being named to Crain’s Cleveland 40 Under 40 in 2023 and receiving the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education Inclusive Excellence Award in 2026. He is currently a doctoral candidate at Kent State University, where his research examines how place-based education shapes connection and belonging in organizations. Matthew is also a Fulbright Scholar and has a master’s degree in Education Policy and Leadership from Harvard University and a bachelor’s in Spanish and Race & Ethnic Studies from Siena College.

For their thoughtfulness and care during this process, I would like to thank the search committee—Gretchen Groggel Ralston, Valerie Joseph, Sirohi Kumar, Daphne Lamothe, Javier Puente, ej seibert, and Anne-Marie Szmyt—and Joanna Olin, who assisted the committee.

Matthew will succeed Floyd Cheung, who will return to the faculty following his much-deserved sabbatical. I am deeply grateful for Floyd’s compassion, mission-driven leadership, and lasting contributions during his role as vice president for equity and inclusion. I know you will join me in thanking Floyd for serving in this role and in welcoming Matthew to Smith.

Warmly,

Sarah Willie-LeBreton
President