Longtime alumnae staffer named to new position
RALEIGH, NC - Saint Mary’s School in Raleigh, North Carolina, is pleased to announce that alumna and staff member Emily Smith, a graduate of the school’s class of 2001, has been named director of alumnae engagement, effective August 15, 2022.
Smith, who holds a B.A. in communications from East Carolina University, has served in various positions in the school’s admission office since 2005.
In her new role, Smith will serve as the point person for Saint Mary’s Alumnae Association including some 10,000 women worldwide, preside over the Alumnae Leadership Council, represent the alumnae at school events, and work to provide creative and meaningful ways for alumnae to engage with their alma mater. She will also work with members of the board of trustees, school administration, and several student-led organizations and clubs.
“Saint Mary’s is a community with deep talent and experience,” says Julie Ricciardi, Saint Mary’s associate head of school for institutional advancement. “For Emily, the totality of her work with admissions has always been deeply rooted in the work that we know is fostered by a full understanding of working with our alumnae.”
In addition to her work in alumnae engagement, Smith serves as a residential faculty member and advisor to the Beacon honorary leadership organization at Saint Mary’s. She serves as advisor to the school’s Granddaughters Club, founded in 1909 to recognize students who are descendants of Saint Mary’s alumnae.
She is a past recipient of the Dean Jones Award at Saint Mary’s and the Faculty/Staff Service Award, both for outstanding contributions to campus life by a staff member.
As a Saint Mary’s student, she was senior class president; a member of the varsity volleyball, basketball, softball teams; athletic trainer for the Saints state championship soccer team; an acolyte; and admissions tour guide.
Smith says she enjoys the opportunity to work in a position where she can build upon her Saint Mary’s experience. “Saint Mary’s is my school, my alma mater, my beloved workplace, and my home. I am happy to broaden my work for the school in an exciting new way working closely with our alumnae sisterhood of accomplished women across the country and the globe. It’s easy to support and promote your school when the mission of preparing young women for college and life has stayed consistent throughout our 181-year history.”
About Saint Mary's School: Saint Mary's School in Raleigh, North Carolina, is an innovative, Episcopal, college-preparatory school dedicated to academic excellence and personal achievement for girls in grades 9-12. Founded in 1842, Saint Mary's mission is to prepare girls for college and for life.
For more information, contact Mary Virginia Swain at 919-424-4034 or mvswain@sms.edu.
