Dr. Kate McCaffrey

Grounded in liberal arts values, Dr. McCaffrey brings a steady, student-centered approach

to executive leadership, strategic execution, and institutional sustainability.

Leadership for This Moment in Higher Education

Dr. Kate McCaffrey is a senior higher education leader with deep experience in cabinet-level leadership, institutional strategy, and organizational change. Her work has focused on advancing student success, strengthening campus culture, stewarding institutional resources, and guiding colleges through periods of transition and uncertainty.

A graduate of the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and a lifelong advocate for higher education, Dr. McCaffrey understands firsthand the transformative power of access, belonging, and mission-driven leadership. Across her career, she has partnered with presidents, boards of trustees, senior leadership teams, and campus communities to align people, priorities, and purpose in service of institutional impact and long-term sustainability.

Her leadership is characterized by clarity, collaboration, and a strong sense of responsibility to students, faculty, staff, and the broader communities colleges serve.

Leadership Approach

Dr. McCaffrey leads with a collaborative, disciplined, and values-driven approach. She believes effective leadership requires listening carefully, setting clear direction, and aligning people and resources around shared institutional priorities.

Her work emphasizes strategic execution — moving plans into action through transparent communication, measurable goals, and cross-divisional partnership. She is particularly attentive to organizational culture, recognizing that trust, clarity, and belonging are essential to navigating change and sustaining momentum. In moments of challenge, Dr. McCaffrey brings steadiness and empathy, balancing decisiveness with care for the people and communities she serves. Her approach reflects a belief that institutions thrive when leaders model integrity, accountability, and respect while maintaining focus on mission and student success.

Commitment to Liberal Arts Education

Dr. McCaffrey’s leadership is grounded in a deep commitment to the public liberal arts mission. She believes that rigorous academics, experiential learning, and close-knit campus communities remain essential to preparing students for meaningful lives and engaged citizenship.

Her work reflects an understanding that today’s liberal arts institutions must both honor tradition and adapt with intention — integrating innovation, market awareness, and student support while preserving the values that define their identity.