Smith College, one of the nation’s most distinguished liberal arts colleges for women and a lifelong champion of transformative education, seeks an accomplished and visionary leader to serve as its next Vice President for Equity and Inclusion (VPEI).
Reporting directly to President Sarah Willie-LeBreton and serving as a member of the senior leadership team, the VPEI will lead the Office for Equity and Inclusion and strategically partner with those across campus who build community at Smith, providing thought leadership and material support to their work.
Smith educates approximately 2,500 undergraduates and 300 graduate students from nearly every state and 67 countries, supported by an 8:1 student-faculty ratio, an open curriculum, a celebrated residential house system, and the intellectual resources of the Five College Consortium. With an endowment of approximately $2.7 billion, the College possesses the means and the will to realize its highest aspirations—chief among them to ensure that Smith’s longstanding commitment to equity, belonging, and justice is fully embedded in its culture and everyday practice.
The next VPEI will shepherd initiatives (or programming) that foster a sense of dignity, belonging, and mutual respect across campus; nurture trust among administration, faculty, staff, and students; broaden the college’s intersectional lens; and lead the campus in creating spaces where deep listening and respectful disagreement and dialogue strengthens community. The work will be measured not in proclamations but in the sustained integration of dignity and belonging into campus life, academic priorities, and institutional decision-making.
The college seeks a proven architect and practitioner of equity work who has guided complex academic communities through periods of challenge and renewal; who brings the vision, judgment, and leadership skills to inspire and implement practices that cultivate a culture of dignity, respect, and belonging; is a strong manager and leader of teams who enables staff to do their best work; and is committed to the relevance and importance of women’s education. At Smith, they will find passionate students, distinguished faculty deeply committed to inclusive pedagogy, and remarkable staff, all eager for leadership and partnership that meets this unique moment in higher education.
Lionel Anderson and Nikkaya Spence of JM Search have been retained to assist with this recruitment. Confidential inquiries, nominations/referrals, and expressions of interest may be submitted immediately to SmithVPEquity@JMSearch.com.
*The title of this role may evolve in conversation with the chosen finalist.
In addition to a competitive benefits package, the salary range for this role is $185,000 - $225,000. Smith College is committed to paying competitively and equitably, taking into account the selected candidate’s relevant qualifications.
Position Type
RegularReview of applications will begin
Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women’s colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at recruiting-u@smith.edu.
As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.