By Taylor Rapalyea
Staff Writer
The new Provost and Senior Vice President of Simmons College started her job mid-summer and seems ready to tackle the task this upcoming semester. Dr. Katie Conboy, Ph.D., previously of Stonehill College, has replaced Charlena Seymour in the administration.
Conboy touts 25 years of experience at Stonehill, a fellow small liberal-arts college, which Simmons faculty expects will significantly impact her success here.
“I think that [the college] will benefit a lot from someone who knows the experience of a small college,” said Professor Dan Connell of the Communications Department.
The new provost, in her introductory email over the summer, emphasized the need for a cohesive administration in completing projects successfully. She noted that at her previous position she knew the importance of working together to create a positive community. Conboy also expressed excitement at the chance to collaborate with students and faculty in moving the college forward.
Conboy opened the email by noting that there was much work to be done at Simmons, but she was looking forward to all of it.
“We are impressed with Katie’s breadth of experience, as well as her energy, vision, and optimism,” said President Helen Drinan in a statement.
Conboy studied English at the University of Kansas, and holds a doctorate in English literature from the University of Notre Dame, specializing in British fiction, Irish literature, and feminist theory. She taught in the English departments at Tufts University and UMass Boston. She was also the English Department chair at Stonehill College before becoming Provost and Vice President.
During her time as Provost and Vice President at Stonehill College, Conboy oversaw Stonehill’s academic vision and was responsible for ensuring that the curriculum met its academic objectives. She filled this role since 2000, and was victorious by many definitions.
The role of the Provost is to manage the undergraduate women’s college in addition to the graduate schools. The individual is responsible for overseeing educational affairs and activities, leading curricular, research and instructional affairs, and coordinating the promotion, tenure, and sabbatical processes. Conboy will also coordinate program evaluations.
A statement from Simmons noted that Conboy implemented three successful strategic plans, helped in the creation of the Kruse Center for Academic and Professional Excellence, the Office of Community-Based Learning, and the Center for Teaching and Learning and increased faculty diversity.
Conboy conveyed the hope that she would have the opportunity to connect with as many faculty, academic affairs units, students, and alums as possible. She alluded to complaints from students or faculty, regarding a “golden age” of Simmons College, and encouraged readers to share their memories and thoughts on the matter.
