UNE names Cynthia Smith Forrest new vice president for student affairs

University of New England President Danielle Ripich has announced that Cynthia Smith Forrest, Ed.D., has been named vice president for student affairs and dean of students. 

Dr. Smith Forrest will assume her new duties on Jan. 15, 2010. She will take over the role that was held by Barbara J. Hazard for 26 years before her retirement this past December.  

Currently, Dr. Smith Forrest is the CEO of a higher education consulting firm, Cynthia Smith Forrest & Associates, Inc.  She has also recently served as a faculty member at Bay Path and Lasell Colleges.  

Dr. Smith Forrest has more than 30 years of higher education administrative experience. She served as dean of student services from 1982 to 2003 at Framingham State College in Framingham, Mass.  Prior to that, she was the director of resident student development and special services from 1974 to 1982 at the University of South Carolina.

She received her B.A. in elementary education and her M.Ed. in counselor education: student personnel services from the University of South Carolina.  She earned another M.Ed. in administration, planning and social policy and then continued on for her Ed.D. in administration, planning and social policy, both degrees from Harvard University.  

In addition, Dr. Smith Forrest has served in numerous leadership roles in the higher education community including the National Association of Student Personnel Services, the American College Personnel Association and the American Council on Education's Office of Women Leaders in Higher Education National Network Board.