Since joining Maryvale in 2014, Gracie Smith, Academic Dean, has been instrumental in both academic and operational initiatives, overseeing the Mitchell Leadership Institute and exemplifying our commitment to nurturing leadership qualities in our students.
As Maryvale’s first-ever faculty or staff member to attend the prestigious Klingenstein Center at Columbia University’s Teachers College, Ms. Smith recently completed her coursework in private school leadership as an Ed.M. candidate. She earned a B.S. from the University of Maryland - College Park and a M.T. in Science Education from the University of Virginia. Through her Klingenstein experience, Ms. Smith shares her leadership expertise with the Mitchell Leadership Institute at Maryvale and the nation’s independent school community.
We recently spoke to Ms. Smith about her career journey, the importance of embracing leadership opportunities, and lessons learned from being part of the prestigious Klingenstein Center at Columbia University’s Teachers College program.
During my time as an admissions director at a Catholic girls’ school in the Washington, D.C. area, I first learned of Maryvale Preparatory School and the exciting initiatives happening there. In 2014, I served as the Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at Maryvale and then transitioned to the Director of Enrollment Management. A few years later, I became the school’s first Director of Research and Curriculum Planning. In this role, I worked with many colleagues across the school on different projects, including Mary Ellen Rector Fise '74, the Mitchell Leadership Institute’s Founding Director, who became a mentor with her expertise in research and strategic planning. My journey at Maryvale continued as I moved into the role of Associate Academic Dean, and two years ago, I was appointed Academic Dean. I have come full circle in some ways, starting in independent schools as a science teacher. It is exciting to be working with the academic team at Maryvale.
Being a part of Maryvale’s Mitchell Leadership Institute has inspired my leadership journey. As Associate Academic Dean, I joined the steering committee for the Leadership Certificate Program and began serving as a Capstone mentor to seniors and interviewing freshmen applying for the leadership program. It has been exciting to see the growth of the Leadership Certificate program from four students in 2019 to 16 students earning certificates this year. Professionally, it’s been powerful to be part of the academic study of leadership and to be surrounded by incredible models of leadership, internally and externally. It gets you thinking about how you can grow as a leader in your own right.
I have always pushed myself to learn and challenge myself to be the best I can be. Pursuing studies at the Klingenstein Center has been a long-standing goal of mine, but I knew the timing had to be right. As I entered my eighth year at Maryvale, I took a moment to reflect on my career aspirations and how I could continue to contribute to the Maryvale community. This introspection led me to apply to the Klingenstein Center. Former President of Maryvale, Tracey Ford, and Mary Ellen Rector Fise '74, were very supportive and wrote recommendations that were instrumental to my candidacy. I was thrilled to be accepted into the program in 2023 and continue to be supported by Malika DeLancey, President of Maryvale.
One of my earliest takeaways from the Klingenstein program was the advanced nature of the Mitchell Leadership Institute’s curriculum. Our students are gaining exposure to thought leaders and content reserved for college or graduate studies. Contributing to developing the curriculum and programming for the Mitchell Leadership Institute provided me with a solid foundation, allowing me to dive into my Klingenstein coursework and discussions with confidence.
My Klingenstein research capstone project gave me another opportunity to engage with academic research. I chose my project, Developing an Annual Fund Process to Increase Alumnae Giving, to expand my independent school experience. I spent a year researching the topic and presented my findings to the Maryvale Board of Trustees Development Committee in December 2024. My project revealed opportunities for Maryvale to continue building our alumnae database, utilizing research on donor motivations, and tailoring messaging based on audience groups.
Celebrating 10 years of the Mitchell Leadership Institute inspired me to review a leadership resource for the Klingenstein Center’s Klingbrief publication. Laura Scott, Mitchell Leadership Institute Director, utilizes Choosing Leadership, the best-selling leadership book by Dr. Linda Ginzel, in her Foundations of Leadership course and recommended it to me. The book has excellent information about reflecting on who you are as a leader and building the leadership capacity of groups and teams. Dr. Ginzel, who teaches negotiation skills, managerial psychology, leadership, and executive development at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, will be the keynote speaker for the Mitchell Leadership Institute's Leadership Forum on March 13, 2025. As Maryvale’s keynote speaker, she will provide a wonderful opportunity for our students and community to think about who they are as leaders and inspire them in that work. Read Ms. Smith’s review of Choosing Leadership in Klingbrief.
The Klingenstein program has provided me with invaluable insights into leading change. Equally important, I benefited from learning in a cohort and networking with peers from independent schools across the nation and around the globe. These interactions have allowed me to share ideas and collaborate on solutions to the challenges and opportunities that school leaders face today.
