Milestones that Matter

Dr. Buffy Smith

Congratulations to the University of St. Thomas on selecting Dr. Buffy Smith for the position of Dean, Dougherty Family College. Doran Leadership Partners was engaged for this nationwide search, led by Heidi Westlind and project managed by Mary Abiadal.

Dougherty Family College (DFC) offers a two-year liberal arts associate degree program, combining rigorous academics with comprehensive and culturally sustaining support, and prepares historically underrepresented scholars to navigate and overcome social and financial barriers on their path to a bachelor’s degree.

Dr. Buffy Smith had been serving as Interim Dean and has been with DFC since its founding in 2016, creating and launching its holistic, student-centered model. Dr. Smith is a tenured professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice and has been at St. Thomas since 2004.