Greenfield Community College Welcomes New Senior Staff

October 9, 2024

Greenfield Community College (GCC) is delighted to announce two new members of its leadership team.

Shanni Smith-Arsenault, Ed.D., joined GCC in July 2024 in the new position of Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success, a division that includes Marketing and Communications, Student Financial Services, Admission, Testing and Assessment, Dual Enrollment, Academic Advising, Career and Transfer Services, Registrar’s Office and Student Affairs.

Shanni brings over 20 years experience in enrollment management and student affairs, including as Director of Transfer Admission and Dual Enrollment at Anna Maria College, Senior Associate Director of Admissions at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Services and as Director of Advising at Mount Wachusett Community College.

She is deeply committed to bridging departments within the GCC community and to building diversity, equity, inclusion and a sense of belonging for everyone who is part of the GCC community.

As she puts it, “I’m thrilled to be leading an amazing team of people who are passionate about helping students pursue their academic and professional goals and dreams. As a first-generation college student myself and a beneficiary of MA public higher education I know just how important enrollment and student success services can be.”

Shelley Errington Nicholson, Ph.D., began her position of Dean of Students at GCC also in July of 2024. She brings over 20 years of higher education leadership experience at institutions including Mount Wachusett Community College, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Rice University and the University of Edinburgh.

In her new role, Shelley oversees and provides strategic direction for all student services including student engagement and leadership, the veterans center, the women’s resource center, the Corner Market food pantry, peer tutoring, the recreation center and the Wellness Center. In addition, Shelley meets daily with students who have concerns or need guidance in many different areas.

She says, “It is deeply satisfying to have even a small hand in helping students meet their academic, career and personal goals. To be doing so at this dynamic and innovative institution is a tremendous honor.”

GCC is a public, not-for-profit, two-year college accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, and we work closely with bachelor degree granting colleges of the Massachusetts public higher education system, including the University of Massachusetts, and with private colleges and universities, which enables us to offer diverse transfer opportunities to our students.