Stay Connected to Smith

The Office of Alumnae Relations and Development welcomes you to “Stay Connected to Smith,” where you can explore the vibrant tapestry of Smith’s academic, cultural, and social initiatives. Here, you’ll find a wealth of engaging content, from thought-provoking lectures to insightful articles and impactful student projects, all to keep you connected, informed, and inspired.

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Outdoor group shot of the Smith Club of Oregon

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President Sarah wrapped up her first official trip to Asia! She got to meet alums and friends of Smith while working to strengthen relationships with international partners.
The Smith 2035 Vision Statement forms a framework for pondering how the college’s future will unfold in relation to trends and challenges, known and unknown, in society, culture and higher education.
The Campus Use Plan (CUP) is a flexible framework that will help make Smith a more connected campus physically, socially, and technologically. The CUP will help strengthen both the campus and the community.

President Sarah appointed Matthew Grimes as Smith’s vice president for equity and inclusion, effective July 1, 2026. Grimes will succeed Floyd Cheung, who will return to the faculty following his sabbatical.
Smith College has been recognized as one of the top producers of Gilman Scholars, which expand access to global studies for students.
Smith’s innovative geothermal campus energy project will help the college achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.

Explore your alum website. Bookmark the site, then check back often to watch webinars, learn about upcoming events, see what fellow Smithies are up to and much more.

Learn Something New

Kristin Hughes, director of athletics and recreation at Smith, has been named the 2026 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s Administrator of the Year. She is only the second Division III administrator to win this award.
Mariana Abarca, assistant professor of biological sciences, is overseeing a large-scale moth-monitoring project to better understand how insects are adapting to changes in the environment.
Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences Tanya Lama is conducting research on how wild species are able to adapt to climate change by using the science of genomics.
Professor Elizabeth Stordeur Pryor released her new book, Something We Said: Richard Pryor, a Notorious Word, and Me, in June. The book dives into her research, teaching, and more.
“‘Do a lot with a little’: How Lynn Hersey turned Smith College women’s basketball into a powerhouse” highlights how Hersey became the head coach and led the team to success.

Offerings for Alums

Webinars—check out the Alum Career Program YouTube channel for one of our previously recorded webinars, including:

Save the date! Last year’s Come Home to Smith was such a success we’re doing it again! Join us on October 24, the Saturday of Family Weekend, for a full slate of workshops, games, performances, and lunch in the houses—plus a presentation by President Sarah Willie-LeBreton. Details and registration to follow.
Our virtual Alum Book Club offers a wonderful way to connect with Smith alums, explore important topics, and broaden your network.
Access the Smith College library online and continue the joy of learning.
Check in with your local club to see what programs are offered in your regional community.
Travel with Smith to the National Parks, Istanbul, and Athens.

Feel Good

Smith College Libraries posters and greeting cards are now available. The posters and cards are custom designed by local artist Aaron Wood, who drew inspiration from WPA posters of the 1930s and 40s, and feature each library at Smith.
Have you tried the college’s latest tea blend, Grécourt Green? It’s a toasty green tea guaranteed to add an extra dose of Smithie energy to your day.
Download a beautiful Smith photo for your Zoom background.
Miss campus? Enjoy different views of Paradise Pond through our campus webcams.

Smithies in the Community

Betsy Cornwell ’10 published her new memoir Ring of Salt: A Memoir of Finding Home and Hope on the Wild Coast of Ireland. It tells the story of her life in Ireland and the steps she took to save her and her son.
Cookie Duncan ’24, who became a serious crossword solver during her junior year at Smith, got her puzzle published in The New York Times. Apple News+ has also published two of her puzzles.
Julissa Colón ’16 has been appointed the first dean of student experience at Holyoke Community College. Julissa also serves as chair of the college’s Care Team and student conduct officer.
Dr. Helen Krug von Nidda '90 held a virtual workshop, “How to Thrive in Your Career.” The workshop highlighted topics that will be discussed in her upcoming book, Closing the Fulfillment Gap: How to Design the Work Life You Want.
Elim Chan ’09 has been named the next music director of the San Francisco Symphony. She is the first woman to hold this position for the symphony, which is considered one of the top orchestras in the country.

Check out a selection of the books by Smithies being released this year:

Mac Wears a Hat by Vicki Johnson ’87
Blunt Instrument by Amy Bloom, M.S.W. ’78
Book Banning in 21st-Century America by Emily J.M. Knox ’98
Infinity Ballot by Abby Minor ’08

These Summer Storms

by Sarah Trabucchi ’00

These Summer Storms, a new novel by Sarah Trabucchi ’00 written under the pen name Sarah MacLean, follows a woman who comes home after her estranged father unexpectedly dies. “My goal is always to write characters who are extraordinary, and not necessarily in a good way,” Trabucchi tells Kirkus Reviews. “I want These Summer Storms to keep you up until all hours.”

Smithies have made their mark in literature. If you would like to have your work appear on our list of Smithie authors, please fill out this form.

Connect with Campus

Smith College’s 148th Commencement was held on May 17. Members of Smith’s class of 2026 came from 40 different states and 20 countries.
The Sophia Smith Collection of Women's History hosted a panel discussion to celebrate the opening of a new collection: the Linda Janet Holmes Oral Histories of African-American Midwives.
Nearly 200 alums came together for the Connect with Smith: Boston event in March. Guests caught up with classmates and friends, met new people, and learned about each other's experiences at Smith.

Virtually visit the Alumnae House gallery to walk through the Holley Flagg '62 Art Exhibition.
In addition to the more than 27,000 artworks housed in the Smith College Museum of Art, the Smith campus is home to more than a dozen publicly accessible, mostly outdoor artworks. Locate them and learn more using this interactive map.
A new and colorful three-story mural is now on display inside the Kathleen McCartney Hall. The mural, which was created by Eloise Van Meter ’26, Ruby Goldstein ’26, and artist Julia Emiliani, portrays the power of the Smith experience and the value of leadership.