Advancing the President's Mission

At the end of the summer, Ruth Lindeborg ’80, who served as chief of staff and secretary of the College for over 15 years, passed the reins to Millie Bond ’05. These two alums have been working together this summer and fall to ease Bond’s transition into her new role. Here, each shares some reflections on their respective paths to the position, what the job entails, and what excites them most about the role.

Ruth Lindeborg ’80

I was always interested in how colleges run. Without being fully intentional about it, my unconventional career path in higher education at various institutions—stints in college admissions, in a provost’s office, as a faculty member, and in development—turned out to be great preparation for working in the President’s Office and with the Board of Trustees.

The role of chief of staff and secretary of the College changes with every president. What remains constant is the need to understand and advance the president’s (and the board’s) vision and priorities, and to contribute to doing this more broadly for the College. It is the ultimate multi-tasking job, and you never know what challenge awaits when you walk in the door each morning.

The chief of staff/secretary of the College also manages initiatives across various academic and administrative departments and among all constituencies—students, faculty, staff, administrators, trustees, and alumnae/i. You have to build relationships with individuals and groups who do not report to you, understand different perspectives and priorities, and find common ground.

The rewards of the role are many, from partnering with the president and the board, to taking on varied projects with new collaborators, to solving problems for students and other community members, to strategic planning, and more. It is an amazing opportunity to make a difference for Bryn Mawr.

Millicent (Millie) Bond ’05

After teaching middle school, attending law school, and working for a legal nonprofit, I made a career transition and returned to Bryn Mawr for a position in the development office. I envisioned learning about fundraising and using those skills in the nonprofit sector, but over time I came to love working in higher education. Learning about faculty members’ expertise, building relationships with students, and spending time with our accomplished alumnae/i have been the highlights of my career.

I value the partnerships I have developed with colleagues across campus, and this new role enables me to collaborate more closely with students, faculty, staff members, and trustees to further the mission of Bryn Mawr. While I am still navigating the nuances of the position, I am struck by the depth and diversity of issues we are tasked with addressing.

We are at an incredibly exciting moment for the College. The presidential search process and transition are two of the most significant projects I’ll help with this year—as well as working with colleagues on celebrating President Cassidy’s achievements. I am enthusiastic for the future of our alma mater and look forward to witnessing the continued push for progress from our students.