Strategic Planning

Strategic Plan Development—Launching This Fall!

How do you reach your goals? Make a plan! We’re excited to develop Smith’s strategic plan over the coming months, allowing us to outline actionable goals for the college.

This fall, a Strategic Planning Steering Committee—composed of trustees, faculty, staff, students, and alums, and assisted by Wellspring Consulting—will lead the charge to develop Smith’s strategic plan. In addition to the committee, the entire Smith community will be actively participating throughout the process, providing input and feedback through a series of working groups. 

President and President's Team members

  • Sarah Willie-LeBreton, President
  • Joanna Olin, Chief of Staff and Liaison for Government Relations
  • David DeSwert, Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration
  • Daphne Lamothe, Provost and Dean of the Faculty
  • Elena Palladino, Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Secretary of the College

Smith College Board of Trustees members

  • Johan Aurik ’86, Board of Trustees member
  • Claudia San Pedro ’91, Board of Trustees member, Vice Chair of Resources & Operations Committee

Current student body member

  • Ehle DeVaughn '25, SGA President, Economics major

Current staff member

  • ej seibert '08, Director of Accessibility

Current faculty

  • Nathan Derr, Chair of Faculty Council, Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, Chair of the Program in Biochemistry Director of the Center for Microscopy and Imaging
  • Payal Banerjee, Associate Professor of Sociology

We want to hear from you!

We’re still in the stage of researching and collecting input. Keep an eye on your email for information about upcoming focus group signups. You’re also always welcome to submit feedback via the Smith College strategic planning response form or to the physical suggestion boxes located next to the Campus Center Café or in the West Street Facilities building.

Timeline

Research and collect input from August–October 2024 and then again from December 2024–January 2025. Establish direction from November 2024–March 2025. Launch between Summer and Fall 2025.

Research/Collect Input

We aim to engage in a planning process that is inclusive and collaborative—we’ll be seeking input in a variety of ways from all Smith community members, including faculty, staff, students, alums, and Trustees. Through the fall and early winter, Wellspring will:
  • Conduct baseline research on Smith College through a review of internal data and an initial set of 1:1 interviews with certain community members, including members of the Strategic Planning Steering Committee
  • Engage in a round of internal listening with 100–175 people, including three days of engagement opportunities on campus
  • Conduct an analysis of the higher education landscape, learning from analogous organizations and benchmarking Smith against similar colleges

Establish Direction

The Strategic Planning Steering Committee will analyze and discuss the data gathered through the research phase to begin to define the strategic direction for Smith. As the strategy begins to take shape, Wellspring will conduct a second round of internal listening to test ideas and receive feedback from the community, helping the Committee refine the strategy and define organizational implications. Wellspring will also build financial projections to further inform decision-making.

Prepare for Implementation

Throughout the spring, Wellspring will support Smith in defining how it will carry out the strategy—who will carry out what work, by when. We expect to launch the plan in fall of 2025.