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MCC Daily Tribune

Congratulations Catharine Ganze Smith Appointed as Dean of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

Dear MCC Faculty, Staff, and Students, 

Pending MCC Board of Trustees' approval on Monday, August 3, 2026, Dr. Catharine Ganze Smith will be appointed to the position of Dean of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, effective June 29, 2026. Dr. Ganze Smith has served in this role in an acting capacity since April 8, 2024, and will continue to do so until her appointment date.  

Dr. Ganze Smith brings to her new position nearly two decades of experience at Monroe Community College. She joined MCC in 2007 as a faculty member in the Department of English, achieving the rank of “full” Professor in 2024. During her tenure at MCC, she has served in numerous leadership capacities, including Chair of the English & Philosophy Department, Chair of the College Assessment & Program Evaluation (CAPE) Committee, Co-Chair of Middle States Standard V: Educational Effectiveness, and, most recently, Acting Dean of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies.  

Throughout her time at MCC, Dr. Ganze Smith has been an active and dedicated contributor to the College's academic and institutional effectiveness efforts, particularly our work to strengthen assessment and program evaluation, general education design, curriculum development, accreditation compliance, and student success initiatives.  

Dr. Ganze Smith earned her EdD in Higher Education from the University of Rochester, an MA in English Literature from SUNY Buffalo, and a BA in English Literature and German from the College of William & Mary. 

I am confident that Dr. Ganze Smith will continue to provide the leadership necessary to advance the mission of the College and the priorities of the ASA division. 

I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the search committee co-chairs, Kelsey Bright and Mary Timmons, and all committee members (listed below) for their collaborative and thoughtful approach to the search. Additionally, the collegewide feedback collected during finalist interviews proved invaluable to this process, and I thank all faculty, staff, and students who participated. 

Members of the Dean of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Search Committee: 

  • Marybeth Donnelly (Curriculum and Program Development) 
  • Jason Flack (Visual and Performing Arts) 
  • William Dunning (English and Philosophy) 
  • Brenda Ronan (Internal Audit) 
  • Jennifer Hill (Biology) 
  • Mary Mohr (Engineering Science and Physics) 
  • Mark Basinski (Career and Transfer Services) 

Finally, I would also like to thank Maureen Karlnoski (Academic and Student Affairs) and Chelsea Weisbeck (Human Resources) who provided critical support in this endeavor. 

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Ganze Smith on her new appointment! 

Michael Jacobs
Academic and Student Affairs
06/23/2026