Where will your journey take you?

First known image of Jeanne Baret, 1816*

Jeanne Baret

Born in 1740 in rural France, Baret was raised in poverty by parents who taught her the healing properties of plants. This expert “herb woman” disguised herself as a man to accompany her mentor, Philibert Commerson, on a ship sailing to discover new territories. From 1766 to 1769, Baret collected some of the more notable botanical specimens for the voyage.

Baret is recognized as the first woman to circumnavigate the globe, and in 2012, a new South American species in the potato-tomato family, Solanum baretiae, was named in her honor.

Solanum baretiae. Image courtesy Natural History Museum, London. Collection number BM001115161

Solanum baretiae. Image courtesy Natural History Museum, London. Collection number BM001115161

 
 
NY Women's Suffrage.jpg

Carolyn Stefanco, Ph.D.

As a first generation college student, Stefanco’s academic journey led her to earn a PhD in women’s history. Following two decades as a tenured professor of history, she served as dean, vice president, and president in both public and private American universities. Her experience ranges from campuses in a large public system to private liberal arts colleges, and includes leadership positions at a polytechnic, a women’s college, and an Hispanic-Serving Institution. Along with the vast array of roles she has held in U.S. and global higher education, she is renowned as an expert in women’s leadership, in equity and inclusion, and in nonprofit governance.

“I truly appreciate Carolyn’s approach to the challenges facing higher education. I have come to know and respect Carolyn through CASE, and found her to be a leader who is committed to helping individuals, institutions, and organizations to exceed their expectations. Carolyn is adept at launching new ventures, forging partnerships, and raising philanthropic support to achieve strategic goals.”

— Sue Cunningham, President & CEO, Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)

More about Carolyn

Academic Administration

Commencement at The College of Saint Rose

Commencement at The College of Saint Rose

  • President, The College of Saint Rose, a Master’s Comprehensive institution in Albany, New York (2014 - 2020)

    • Launched innovative student success programs and 12 new undergraduate degrees, 3 graduate degrees, and 3 certificate programs in high-demand fields

    • Expanded student recruiting efforts resulted in:

      • Most diverse and largest first-year classes in institutional history

      • Student body represented 34 American states and 70 countries

    • Record-breaking annual fund and individual giving, with millions raised for women’s leadership initiatives, including new Women’s Leadership Institute

    • Created partnerships in Africa, Asia, and Europe

  • Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean of the College, Professor of History and Women’s Studies, Agnes Scott College (2010 - 2014)

  • Founding Dean and Professor of History, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, California State University, Stanislaus (2007 - 2010)

  • Professor, History department chair, and Women’s Studies program director, California Polytechnic State University (1990 - 2007) 

 

International Expertise

Recruiting students in Vietnam

Recruiting students in Vietnam

  • Leadership and thought capital in matters of global higher education

  • Associate, Higher Education Leadership and Management, Universities South Africa; represent the 26 public universities in South Africa in partnerships in North America and Europe, and support women's leadership initiatives

  • Associate Member of the Centre for Cross-Cultural Management at the University of Wollongong, Australia and part of an international research team studying responsible leadership in corporations and higher education, in both the U.S. and Australia

  • Halle Foundation grantee for research in Germany

  • Created many programs for student exchange and faculty research throughout the world

  • Consultant for Saudi Arabia

  • Senior Fulbright Scholar to the University of Zagreb, Croatia

  • Resident Director of a London Study Program

 

Women’s Leadership

Inaugural BOLD Women's Leadership Network Scholars at a press conference announcing the creation of a Women's Leadership Institute building with $1.2 million gift

Inaugural BOLD Women's Leadership Network Scholars at a press conference announcing the creation of a Women's Leadership Institute building with $1.2 million gift

  • Founded Women's Leadership Institute at The College of Saint Rose

    • Recruited an accomplished advisory board and led Saint Rose to be selected as one of only six institutions of higher education in the United States to be invited to join the BOLD Women's Leadership Network

  • Raised millions of dollars to launch initiatives to prepare diverse young women for leadership in their professions and communities

  • Sought-after speaker on women’s issues

  • Frequent contributor to popular and scholarly venues

 

Board Service

With Gailda Davis from ACE

With Gailda Davis from ACE

  • Certified Board Advisor

  • Presidents Governance Academy, Certificate

  • Harvard University, T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Women on Boards, Certificate

  • Board Director, The Albany Med Health System

  • Board Member, International Leadership Association

  • Past board service:

    • American Council on Education (ACE), Women's Network Executive Council

    • American University in Bulgaria, Trustee and Board Chair

    • Center for Executive Growth in New York

    • Northeast 10 Presidents Council, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Athletic Conference, Treasurer

    • Metro Atlanta Chamber

    • Hearst's Women@Work

    • The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities

    • Association of Chief Academic Officers

    • Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences

 

Professional Activity

Organized and chaired a panel with higher education leaders across the African continent on leadership development

Organized and chaired a panel with higher education leaders across the African continent on leadership development

  • Thought leader with speaking engagements at:

    • Academic Management Institute

    • Alliance for Higher Education and Democracy, University of Pennsylvania

    • American Council on Education

    • The Annapolis Group

    • Association of American Colleges and Universities

    • Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges

    • Association of International Education Administrators

    • The Compact for Faculty Diversity

    • Council for Advancement and Support of Education

    • Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences

    • Council of Independent Colleges

    • Credo

    • EAB

    • EducationUSA, U.S. Department of State

    • Hearst Media

    • HERS, Higher Education Resource Services

    • Higher Education Leadership & Management, Universities South Africa

    • International Leadership Association

    • National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities

    • National Women's Leadership Forum

    • TIAA

  • Global engagements include:

 

Australia

Bulgaria

Canada

China

Croatia

England

France

Germany

Honduras

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Mexico

Portugal

Scotland

Slovenia

Spain

South Africa

Switzerland

Vietnam

 

Click to learn more about Carolyn’s

 
 

Education

  • Ph.D. in history, Duke University

  • M.A. in women’s history, Binghamton University

  • B.A. in history and women’s studies certificate, University of Colorado at Boulder

Chart a course for your success.

*Illustration of Jeanne Baret: ‘MAD LLA BARÉ’, Engraving, artist unknown. From Navigazioni de Cook pel grande oceano e itorno al globo, Volume 2, 1816, Sonzogono e Comp, Milano. (Credit: Bio Heritage Library)