Smith College welcomes Denise Wingate Materre, ’74 as its new Vice President for Alumnae Relations. Denise joins Smith as it enters a new phase of partnership with the Alumnae Association, in alignment with an integrated and combined Office of Alumnae Relations and Development. As a member of the President’s Cabinet, the Vice President for Alumnae Relations position will contribute to the future vision and course of Smith College.

An alumna of the class of 1974, Denise returns to Smith College with a master’s degree in education from the College of New Jersey and a Doctor of Education from the University of Colorado, Denver; her dissertation examined the conditions contributing to Black women becoming firsts and thriving in positions of leadership and authority.

Speaking of her passion for Smith’s mission to educate women who will change the world, Denise said, “This passion results from the strong educational foundation and development as a leader that I received while a student at Smith. My goal as Vice President for Alumnae Relations is to build on the rich traditions of Smith and the powerful network of Smith alumnae as mentors, role models and lifelong learners.”

Denise brings over 20 years of experience as a consultant to for-profit, nonprofit, and educational organizations. As a consultant, Denise has focused on developing women leaders, advancing diversity and inclusion, and helping to enhance and grow organizations. She began her career at AT&T Bell Laboratories and previously worked for the Cultural Unity Student Center at the University of Colorado.

About Smith College

Since its founding in 1871, Smith College has offered an education of unmatched quality to smart, talented and ambitious women from around the world. A world-class faculty engages students in their own intellectual development. An open curriculum encourages each student to pursue her passions, while highly accomplished alumnae serve as mentors, modeling leadership and achievement at all levels of society.

Today, Smith is a college of and for the world. Its 2,500 undergraduates come from 47 states and 68 countries and embody the college’s commitment to diversity and providing access to women of all backgrounds. Throughout its history, Smith has remained nimble in the programs, courses and areas of study they offer. What has endured is Smith’s commitment to academic and intellectual freedom; an attention to the relationship between college education and the larger issues of the world and human dignity; and a concern for the rights of women.

For more information about Smith College visit www.smith.edu.