Heather A. Smith has been named the eighth president of the College of Saint Mary, a women’s college in Omaha, Nebraska. She will take office on July 1.
The College of Saint Mary enrolls more than 600 undergraduate students and more than 300 graduate students. A large percentage pf graduates major in health-related fields
“I am so inspired by both the amazing history and the future potential of the College of Saint Mary,” Smith said. “Women leading the way in a community of inclusiveness, faith, and learning as we inspire their potential and foster leadership sets a standard of excellence that is the foundation for a better future for us all. I cannot imagine a better opportunity to give back to my community than through impacting the lives and future trajectories of students and future leaders through the expanding programs that the college offers.”
Smith added that her “13 years of Catholic schooling in the Omaha community instilled a deep respect and value of community, social responsibility, and stewardship. My spirituality is centered around humanity and the common hopes, needs, and desires that unite us. I am honored to be the next president of the College of Saint Mary, where we will continue the tradition of an education that inspires academic excellence and celebrates the roles of women as scholars and leaders throughout our world.”
For the past five years, Smith, a healthcare administrator, has served as vice president of ambulatory services and previously vice president of pediatrics at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha.
Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Creighton University in Omaha, and an MBA from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.