Sterritt announces June retirement

Ashley DeLeon | Contributor | adeleon@mail.smcvt.edu

DEFENDER FILE PHOTO

After nearly five years of serving as the first female president of St. Michael’s College, Lorraine Sterritt has formally announced her retirement.

“It is with mixed emotions that I write to let you know that I have notified the Chair of the Board of Trustees that I will be retiring from my position as president of Saint Michael’s College, effective June 30, 2023. This decision comes after much reflection, culminating in the realization that the time is right for me to devote more time to family and friends,” she wrote in an email to the community on Tuesday morning.

Sterritt extended her gratitude to the community for their support and partnership, both during the height of COVID-19 and the launch of new College initiatives.

“With your collaboration and support, we have created new programs, launched the Center for the Environment and the Center for Global Engagement, devised a Strategic Plan, advanced our efforts in diversity and inclusion and in alumni relations, revitalized fundraising, and so much more,” she wrote.

Board of Trustees Chair Patricia Casey sent a follow-up email to Sterritt’s announcement that explained the board’s plan to move forward and appoint new leadership.

“The Board of Trustees will conduct a thorough search for the next president of Saint Michael’s College. A search firm will be hired and will be guided by a Board-appointed search committee chaired by Trustee Rob Noonan,” she wrote. The Board will decide on interim or permanent leadership in the upcoming months. Casey explained that regardless of this decision, they anticipate a presidential appointment by July 1.

“Please know the Board of Trustees and the Cabinet are working diligently on behalf of the College and look forward in the coming weeks to sharing more information about the process for identifying the College’s next leader. As the landscape of higher education continues to evolve, we remain committed to identifying the strategies that best position Saint Michael’s for success,” she stated.

Casey highlighted the landmark initiatives that had been launched under Sterritt’s tenure, including the Purposeful Learning program and the new strategic plan, Forward With Purpose. “I want to express deep gratitude on behalf of the Board of Trustees and the entire Saint Michael’s community for Dr. Sterritt’s service,” she wrote.

Sterritt was announced as the 17th president in January 2018, and took office the following September. Before leading St. Michael’s College, she served as the president of Salem Academy and College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and served as an administrative dean at Harvard College. She also held positions at the University of Pennsylvania and Princeton University.

Sterritt noted that although her presidential leadership is expected to end in late June, her devotion to the St. Michael’s community is continuous.

“My dedication to our community will continue in its official capacity through June 30th, but my support and love of Saint Michael’s will endure long after,” she said.

The Defender will continue to report this story and release new developments over the next few months. Visit defender.smcvt.edu for updates between monthly print issue releases.