Sharon P. Smith announced she will retire as president of the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, effective June 30, 2019, after serving as an influential leader on behalf of the campus and community since 2007.
“Sharon has done everything that — more than a decade ago — she set out to accomplish,” said Chancellor Patrick Gallagher. “She has forged powerful ties with the local community. She has strengthened Pitt–Greensburg’s impact across the state. And she has made insightful, meaningful investments in our students and their lifelong success. I look forward to celebrating her career and am honored to serve as her colleague for yet another year.”
As Pitt–Greensburg’s fourth president, Smith has built strong academic and student programs that position graduates for future success and established Pitt–Greensburg as the University’s second-largest regional campus with nearly 1,600 full-time and part-time undergraduate students. She led the transformation of the liberal arts programs by integrating them with digital learning, and introduced new majors in nursing, health care management, public policy, education and Spanish, as well as five new certificate programs. The campus currently offers 29 undergraduate degrees along with 24 minors.
Other accomplishments include the establishment of the Center for Applied Research and Center for the Digital Text and the expansion of internships and other experiential learning options. Physical plant changes to campus during her tenure include the construction of Frank A. Cassell Hall, which received a gold LEED designation for sustainable design and construction. She also is a valued member of Pitt’s Council of Deans.
“Sharon’s energy, enthusiasm and leadership have left an imprint on the Greensburg campus, the University and the Greensburg community that will be felt for many years to come,” said Pitt Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor Patricia E. Beeson. “Her generosity in sharing her expertise has been valuable to all of us fortunate enough to work with her. She will be missed.”
Community Advocate
Beyond her Pitt role, Smith also has generously shared her expertise with the community through her service on the boards of Excela Health (including as board chair), Economic Growth Connection, Smart Growth and the Westmoreland Cultural Trust. She has brought to these boards extensive experience as an economist and prior service as a governor of the Security Traders Association, a trustee of St. Barnabas Hospital, chair of the Partners in Health Board of Trustees, president of the NASDAQ Stock Market Educational Foundation and a governor of the National Association of Security Dealers. In addition, she has remained active with the TIAA Research Institute.
“It has been a privilege and an inspiration to serve as president — working together with our advisory board, faculty, staff and community to nurture our students and help them realize their dreams,” Smith said.
Distinguished Career
Smith’s time at Pitt is part of a distinguished and diversified career in academic, research and business activities. In her previous position at National University, she served as vice chancellor for academic affairs, provost and vice president for academic affairs, and special projects adviser. Prior to that, she served as professor of management systems and dean of the School of Business (now the Gabelli School) at Fordham University. She also held positions with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and AT&T. She is a summa cum laude graduate of Rutgers University, where she also earned her MA and PhD degrees in economics. She was a visiting fellow with the New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University and a visiting senior research economist for Princeton University.
She has published more than 40 professional articles and book reviews and is the author or co-author of three books or monographs: “Equal Pay in the Public Sector: Fact or Fantasy,” “Faculty Retirement in the Arts and Sciences” and “Finding the Best Business School for You: Looking Past the Rankings.”