Dear Members of the Brown Community,

I am pleased to share that Sandra Smith has been appointed the next dean of Brown’s School of Professional Studies (SPS), effective July 1, 2025.

Sandra brings over 25 years of experience in higher education, strategic consulting and private industry — and has already demonstrated adept leadership as interim dean of SPS since January. As dean, she will oversee academic programs, operations, finances and staff, while leading efforts to advance the school’s mission to create and deliver programs that empower learners at all career stages to transform themselves, their workplaces and the communities they serve. Her responsibilities will include developing and managing a growing portfolio of degree and non-degree programs, expanding access to new learner populations, and overseeing resources and initiatives to support SPS students and employees. In addition, she will support other schools and academic departments in expanding master's programs by providing enrollment management, student services and career support for all master’s students. Sandra will report to me and serve on the president’s cabinet, the president’s executive committee and the provost’s leadership group of senior academic deans.

Sandra was selected following an international search facilitated by a Brown faculty advisory committee. Throughout the process, she impressed faculty, staff and University leaders with her strategic vision, deep understanding of Brown’s collaborative culture and inclusive leadership style. She brings a powerful combination of entrepreneurial thinking and academic rigor — qualities that will be essential as SPS aims to expand its reach and impact. Colleagues described Sandra as a thoughtful listener who cultivates trust, builds consensus and translates ideas into action with integrity and accountability.

Sandra’s perspective on the future of SPS aligns strongly with Brown’s priorities and strengths. She sees the school evolving into a leading hub for lifelong learning, with offerings that span certificates to master’s degrees and meet students where they are in their personal and professional journeys. Her approach is distinctly Brown, drawing on the University’s excellence across a full range of disciplines and integrating insights from multiple disciplines including the humanities, social and applied sciences to prepare ethical leaders with the skills needed for professional success.

As interim dean, Sandra has already advanced Brown’s priorities in professional education. She has led the development of three new online master’s programs, strengthened collaboration with faculty across academic departments and laid the groundwork for SPS to grow, with a strong commitment to academic quality and fiscal responsibility. Prior to becoming interim dean, she helped to establish and grow the Master in Technology Leadership program and launched the non-credit portfolio at Brown in her previous role as senior associate dean for executive education. Her professional background includes leadership roles at Charles Schwab and Bell Canada and consulting roles with Boston Consulting Group and Recon Strategy. Sandra holds an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and both a master of applied science and a bachelor’s degree with honors in industrial engineering from the University of Toronto.

Sandra’s unique blend of academic experience and business acumen positions her to lead SPS in ways that are responsive to evolving student needs and grounded in Brown’s values. Her understanding of the work and careers across multiple sectors, organizational leadership, and the skills needed for professional success will enable her to lead the creation of programs that are academically rigorous, financially sustainable and in demand from students and employers alike.

Please join me in congratulating Sandra and thanking the members of the search committee for their thoughtful and dedicated work throughout this successful search.

Sincerely,

Francis J. Doyle III
Provost