St. Andrew's Episcopal School announces that Colleen Smith will begin serving St. Andrew's as Head of Upper School beginning July 1.

Mrs. Smith has been the interim head of upper school since January.

Smith has worked at St. Andrew's for 10 years as associate head of upper school and dean of students.

She has also previously served as interim head of upper school during the 2005-06 school year.

"No one knows the St. Andrew's Upper School better than Colleen," says Bob Rutledge, St. Andrew's Interim Head of School.

In her capacity as dean of students, and associate and interim head of upper school, she has been required to deeply understand every facet of life at St. Andrew's, from curriculum and community to scheduling and sports.

Her enthusiasm, energy and compassion are recognized by many in our community, and I have complete confidence in her as an educator and a leader."

An experienced educator, Smith has worked in this profession for 34 years, with 26 years in independent school education.

Before coming to St. Andrew's in 1998, Smith spent 16 years at the Winchester Thurston School in Pittsburgh, serving her final four years there as head of middle school.

"I am honored to be able to continue my work as head of upper school at St. Andrew's," says Smith. "After all my years working in schools I have never been so fortunate as to be at one like St. Andrew's. During the decade since my arrival here I have witnessed the transformation of an already great school into an outstanding one; I look forward to helping to increase our standing in the region and the nation."

Smith is married to Dr. Richard Smith, senior vice president and dean of the college at Millsaps College, and has one son, Robert, a 2003 graduate of St. Andrew's.