Budget

The budget team partners closely with departments across the College to develop, implement, and manage budgets that align resources with institutional priorities, offering thoughtful analysis, reporting, and clear guidance to support immediate needs and long-term planning.

Explore the Budget Office

Operating Budget Review & Planning

Q1

July–September

Prior year
Finalize transactions, analyze variances, understand reserve implications

Current year
Load operating budget, monitor key budget items, make high-level projection

Following year and beyond
Monitor macro trends for budget planning implications (ongoing)

Q2

October–December

Prior year
Approve financials and audit, analyze implications of prior year for current and future

Current year
Monitor key budget items, refine full year projection, make spending adjustments as needed

Following year and beyond
Monitor macro trends for budget planning implications (ongoing); analyze prior year results and current year to date for future implications; update key planning assumptions, particularly endowment spending; begin strategic initiatives process

Q3

January–March

Current year
Monitor key budget items, refine full year projection, make spending adjustments as needed

Following year and beyond
Monitor macro trends for budget planning implications (ongoing), finalize and approve comprehensive fee, continue to refine planning assumptions based on current context, president’s team budget meetings, finalize strategic initiatives, begin budget call

Q4

April–June

Current year
Monitor key budget items, refine full year projection, make spending adjustments as needed

Following year and beyond
Monitor macro trends for budget planning implications (ongoing), finalize budget call, trustees approve operating and capital budgets (early May), tie out departmental budgets to approved budget

Meet the Budget Team

Team Member

Primary Area of Focus

Christine Speek
Senior Budget Director
413-585-2259
cspeek@smith.edu 

Oversees the operating budget, restricted fund usage, and budget partnerships. Responsible for strategic multi-year financial planning and analysis for the college.

Josh Parad
Senior Academic Budget Manager
413-585-3007
jparad@smith.edu 

Senior budget manager for the Office of the Provost & Dean of the Faculty.

Mackenzie Podworski
Budget Manager
413-585-5560
mtable@smith.edu 

Budget manager for the Offices of Finance, Administration, and Campus Services and the School for Social Work. Oversees the Smith College position budget.

Heidi Andersen
Finance Partner
413-585-4937
handersen@smith.edu 

Finance partner for the Office of the Dean of the College and the VP for Enrollment.

Todd Chiasson
Budget Partner
413-585-2142
tchiasson@smith.edu 

Budget partner for Alumnae Relations & Development, Human Resources, and Communications & Marketing.

Veeka Stanton
Budget Partner
413-585-6061
vstanton@smith.edu 

Budget partner for the Office of the VP for Equity & Inclusion, the Office of the VP & General Counsel, and the President’s Office and Board of Trustees.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is budget planning?
Budget planning is the process by which we allocate the college’s resources. It is also the financial manifestation of our mission, values, and priorities.

Why is budget planning challenging?
Budget planning is multifaceted and forward-looking—it’s always dealing with incomplete information and uncertainty. Budget planning deals with volatility of both internal and external drivers, and must include an ability to respond to external shock events, such as market correction or emergency repairs.

What are we trying to accomplish?
Our goal is to achieve our mission in the best way possible within our available resources—this includes maintaining low to moderate growth in the cost of attendance and maintaining intergenerational equity.

How do I request security role changes for gifts or cost centers?
Email workday-help@smith.edu to request access updates for the Cost Center Manager dashboard.

How can I best track certain activities or projects within my budget that span multiple ledgers and spend categories?
You can use activity codes to track specific activities or projects. To request an activity code, submit a ticket to workday-help@smith.edu. If you already have an activity code, use the report “Budget vs. Actuals by Activity Code – with Blanks” to view transactions related to that activity.

Contact the Budget Team

College Hall 204
Smith College
Northampton, MA 01063