Pamela Nolan Young Named to Key Diversity Post

Pamela Nolan Young, an attorney and expert on diversity issues, has been appointed advisor to the president and director of institutional diversity and equity, a position she will assume on April 18.

Currently serving as director of human resource development at North Shore Community College in Danvers, Mass., Young has extensive experience coordinating initiatives, training and events around diversity and inclusion. She established an annual diversity conference and has conducted numerous workshops and educational sessions on affirmative action, equal opportunity, prejudice reduction, and compliance with anti-discrimination laws.

While at North Shore, Young served as liaison to the Commonwealth Compact and the New England Higher Education Recruiting Consortium, as well as acting director of the Lynn Community Minority Cultural Center. As a member of the college’s Diversity Leadership Council, she implemented events for Hispanic Heritage Month, Black History Month and “One Book,” a library partnership program.

“I am so pleased that Pamela will be joining the Smith community,” said President Christ. “She brings extensive experience with diversity and equity issues, and her work is clearly fueled by a sense of passion for realizing our potential as a diverse community.”

Young’s appointment represents a return to Smith. While completing an undergraduate degree in government at Dartmouth College, she spent a year as an exchange student at Smith, living in Wilder House. Young is also returning to western Massachusetts, having lived in the area in the late 1990s while working as an attorney for the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, in Springfield, and an assistant district attorney for Hampden County. She was also an adjunct professor of law at Elms College.

Young completed her law degree at the University of Notre Dame, and a master’s degree in educational leadership at Salem State College in Salem, Mass.

The Office of Institutional Diversity was created in 1996 with the belief that diversity in all aspects of the educational environment is necessary for achieving the highest level of academic excellence. In her leadership position, Young will catalyze strategic thinking about ways to advance diversity at Smith. The office administers affirmative action policies, equal opportunity policies and grievance procedures relative to equity issues. All matters pertaining to civil rights and disability support services are also handled by the office.

“FUTURE SMITHIES?” showcases girls from the American West who are connected to Smith College through their mothers, aunts, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers.

Linnea Osterberd is a portrait photographer in Portland, Oregon. Her pictures peek into the inner lives of children, capturing thoughtfulness, wonderment, and joy.

Join on us on campus for a weekend conference filled with lively discussions by and for alumnae of color.

Held in collaboration with the Office of Admission’s Discovery Weekend, the event will include opportunities for you to meet and offer encouragement to current and prospective students.

With fellow alumnae, you’ll expand your personal and professional networks and be inspired by women who are leading lives of distinction and making positive change in their communities.

Save the date now, and watch for your invitation in January. In the meantime, inquiries may be sent to alumedu@smith.edu.

We’ve also added Previews for 2009-2010. Thanks!

“Smith Worldwide: Voices in the Global Conversation”

The show is titled “Future Smithies?” and she is photographing alums’ daughters, granddaughters, nieces, etc. with the hopes of photographing the girls’ personality characteristics that are often associated with Smithies (determination, humor, thoughtfulness, etc.) Along with the exhibit, a book is in the works. The book is expected to be sold at the Alumnae House and proceeds will go for scholarships.

If you would like to participate, please email Linnea Osterberg at linnea@osterbergphoto.com. Her plans include travel to Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and LA to photograph.

Linnea Osterberg ’97
linnea@osterbergphoto.com
osterbergphoto.com

“Smith College has a strong commitment to diversity. We have made great strides in ensuring that the student body is reflective of the world community. Alumnae affinity and special interest groups play a vital role in extending that message well beyond the Grecourt Gates. The work of affinity and special interest groups promotes the very core of our mission to encourage and embrace diversity within our community. It is inspiring to see alumnae continue to connect on meaningful levels beyond the traditional class and club structure, whether that connection is based on personal identity, professional achievements, or common interests. As president of Smith, I value your efforts and support the work you do for the college.” 

– Carol Christ, President of Smith College

The scholarship is for high school seniors in the US living in areas where there are participating local RMHC chapters, which include the following regions: New York Tri-State area, Los Angelos, San Francisco, Atlanta, Norfolk, Chicago and others (download PDF of all participating areas).

Scholarship deadline: February 16, 2009

Scholarship website: http://www.rmhc.org/what-we-do/rmhc-u-s-scholarships/

Download the application PDF: RMHC Asia Scholarship Program Application (376k)

Our commitment is to advance the mission of Smith College and the Alumnae Association, while promoting and supporting the interests of its Asian alumnae. Our vision is to build a global community of Smith graduates, former students of Smith, and friends in order to provide opportunities for professional networking, mentoring relationships, and the recruitment of students in the US and abroad.

We welcome your participation, ideas, and suggestions as we develop an online discussion group and Web site.  Email us your contact information to receive regular updates, and let us know if you would like to get more involved as a volunteer.

We encourage you to spread the word and to invite friends and fellow alumnae to join our listserv.

Sincerely,
Jisun Han Conn (’02)
Jenny Bornholdt Hammond (’90)
Anna Ing (’95)
Mary Kim (’04)
Audrey Paek (’92)