<p>Smith College has selected Dr. Kathleen McCartney, currently dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Education, to be its 11th President. I think she is a very good choice for this post, extremely well-qualified and well-thought of in academic circles.</p>
<p>New President-- solid academic pedigree, Tufts then a Yale Ph.D. Research emphasis in child development with an education focus. I’m impressed that her academic initiatives were appreciated by Harvard Arts and Sciences faculty. This speaks highly that her research and educational program initiatives were viewed as having heft. She seems to have a winning personality. I like the fact that she has four (4) children and a husband that will accompany her to Smith. </p>
<p>The post by Smith on their Smith web site re Kathleen McCartney has many nice details re her academic career. </p>
<p>LIKE !</p>
<p>.02</p>
<p>David</p>
<p>Students are pretty disappointed with the selection of a straight white person. We were hoping Smith would show a more serious commitment to the diversity initiative, but they didn’t really seem to be interested in student input whatsoever. Hopefully this president will be more involved with student life than CTC.</p>
<p>I need to correct my grammar from my post ^^. I like the fact that she has four (4) children and a husband WHO will accompany her to Smith.</p>
<p>Sorry.</p>
<p>.02</p>
<p>David</p>
<p>I like the fact that, like Ruth Simmons, she is a first-generation college student. I see commitment to first-generation students, and to an international reach, as integral to Smith’s historic focus on diversity. </p>
<p>(I happen to think Crist was (is) a wonderful president. Simmons had many great ideas, but it was Crist who implemented, and then expanded significantly, upon them. And led Smith pretty well through the depression.)</p>
<p>Current Smithies I have spoken with are thrilled with the choice of Kathleen McCartney as the new President of the college.</p>
<p>Qualifications matter and hers are impeccable. We shouldn’t just pick a candidate with a cookie-cutter. Rather, pick the best candidate regardless of demographics. Dr. McCartney is a fantastic pick, someone the school can be proud of.</p>
<p>Best wishes to her as she is about to begin what I hope is a long and productive term as president.</p>