Dr. Smita Ruzicka

Director of Student Affairs, Middlebury College

Dr. Smita Ruzicka serves as the Vice President for Student Affairs at Middlebury College where she provides leadership for a wide portfolio of services and programs aimed at enhancing the overall student experience. Smita has over 20 years of leadership experience in higher education in a variety of institutions and regions of the country where she has championed student success and access. Prior to joining Middlebury, she has led student affairs units and departments at Johns Hopkins University, Tulane University, and The University of Texas at Austin. Smita is an educator at heart and served as faculty teaching various academic courses including first year seminar classes, courses on equity and inclusion as well as leadership development. She is a dynamic speaker, facilitator, mediator, and consultant offering her expertise at regional and national levels in both higher education as well as the corporate spaces. In addition to being a leader in higher education, Smita has a background in mental health counseling. She has experience as a mental health practitioner in a variety of settings including community mental health, higher education, and private practice. This background helps provide a critical set of knowledge and expertise as she leads the work to support students and ensure that they are successful in their higher education journey. Smita is often seen on campus with her son, Rohan and her husband, Frank, enjoying meals with students or attending campus events. They love to travel and spend time together watching sports and exploring local events.