Staff Council Committees

Staff Council has five standing committees. Each elected member of the Staff Council serves on at least one committee and is expected to serve on and attend meetings of that committee.

Staff from the entire Smith community are welcome and encouraged to join Staff Council committees except for PPC. Please contact committee chairs for meeting information.

Committee Chairs

The chair/co-chair of each committee is elected by committee members. In addition to planning and running meetings, the chairs are responsible for reporting regularly on the committee’s work to the full Staff Council. All committee chairs also serve on the steering committee.

Activities Committee

The activities committee is responsible for coordinating, organizing, and publicizing special events. These events allow staff to meet and interact with colleagues in other departments across campus, and foster an atmosphere of cooperation and community spirit.

Co-chairs: Cathy Kearney (ckearney@smith.edu) and Kate Jamieson (kjamieson@smith.edu)

Communications Committee

The communications committee is responsible for informing Smith College staff of the actions of Staff Council, through The Staff Council Chronicle and other means of communication. This committee also advises administration regarding the dissemination of information to staff and the community at large.

Co-chairs: Christie Peterson (cpeterson@smioth.edu) and Leah Kent (lkent@smith.edu)

VIBE

(formerly the Diversity Committee)

In 2024 the Diversity Committee was renamed “VIBE,” which stands for Value, Inclusion, Belonging, and Equity.  The VIBE committee works through Staff Council to elevate the interests of Smith’s most marginalized staff.  The committee collaborates with the Office for Equity and Inclusion and other campus partners to coordinate programming designed to educate, celebrate, and form stronger connections to our wider community. This may include such things as identity-based panels and other outreach events and celebrations.

Co-chairs: Lorelei Erisis (lerisis@smith.edu) and Sherry Wingfield (swingfie@smith.edu)

Personnel Policy Committee (PPC)

The PPC reviews concerns and issues raised by all Smith employees and offers guidance on how to navigate those concerns. Additionally, the PPC meets once a month with HR to anonymously share the concerns and issues brought forward.

Co-chairs: Caroline Bertrand (cbertrand@smith.edu) and Kelly DeForest (kdeforest@smith.edu)

Membership & Recruitment Committee

The M&R Committee is responsible for all elections to Staff Council, ensures that elections are conducted properly, and provides information to newly-elected Staff Council members and maintains all membership records.

Chair: Christie Peterson (cpeterson@smith.edu)

Staff Council has five standing committees. Each elected member of the Staff Council serves on at least one committee and is expected to serve on and attend all meetings of that committee.

Activities Committee

• Cathy Kearney, Co-chair
• Kate Jamieson, Co-chair
• Laura Gomez
• Teri Little
• Ann Mayo
• Chris Orsini
• Davis Rivera
• Kenzie Table
• Liz Whiteley

Communications Committee

• Laura Gomez, Co-chair
• Christie Peterson, Co-chair
• Laura Campuzano
• Leah Kent
• Andrew Maurer
• Lori Orsini
• Chris Shea
• Lorelei Erisis
• Kenzie Table
• Abril Navarro

VIBE (formerly Diversity Committee)

• Lorelei Erisis, Co-chair
• Teri Little
• Davis Rivera
• Jasmine Stork
• Valerie Thompson
• Sherry Wingfield

Membership & Recruitment Committee

• Jennifer Kennedy, Co-chair
• Ann Mayo, Co-chair

Personnel Policy Committee

• Abril Navarro, Co-chair
• Caroline Bertrand, Co-chair
• Laura Campuzano
• Mandy Duffy
• Christine Speek
• Sherry Wingfield

Please consult the online Faculty Code (PDF) through the Office of the Provost/Dean of the Faculty for more details on ex officio staff committee membership and faculty appointment.

Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation (ACRA)

Current Staff representative: Ann Mayo
One staff member, three-year term.

Advise the President on matters relating to budgeting and financial planning for the college.

Committee on Mission & Priorities (CMP)

Current staff representatives: Anna Goudreau and Jasmine Stork
Two staff members, three-year terms.

Advise the President on big-picture and long range planning that supports the mission and core values of the college.

Campus Planning Committee (CPC)

Current Staff representative: Steve Mish
One staff member, two-year term.

Review all building and renovation projects with exterior design changes; implement the Landscape Master Plan; set and maintain standards for campus signage and outdoor furniture; oversee decisions regarding campus traffic and parking matters; make recommendations about the installation of outdoor works of art.

Inclusion Council

Current staff representative: Davis Rivera
One staff member, two-year renewable terms.

Offer grounded perspectives on how inclusion, diversity, and equity—inherent in the relationships, practices, and activities of students, staff, and faculty—are playing out at Smith College. The members of the council shall advise the Vice President for Equity and Inclusion on what’s working well and how the College can improve.

Employee Experience Working Group

Current staff representatives: Caroline Bertrand and Kelly DeForest
Two staff members, two-year terms.

This group of staff and faculty is charged with providing feedback on programs and offerings that focus on improving the overall employee experience throughout the employee lifecycle: from attraction to departure, by identifying areas of opportunity and implementing strategies to enhance engagement and satisfaction.

The college and Staff Council creates ad hoc committees as the need arises. Ad hoc committees have broad representation; employees who are directly involved in an issue are represented.