In a message sent to the community on July 19, President Valerie Smith announced that Beth R. Glassman will join the College on Sept. 20 as the next vice president for human resources.

Glassman brings to the position more than 25 years of experience as an attorney and chief human resources officer at several well-regarded organizations. She has spent most of the past decade working in higher education, including as Widener University’s chief human resources officer (CHRO) and currently as Union College’s acting CHRO. 

"Beth is an esteemed and proven collaborator with deep expertise across human resources operations," President Smith said.

In her new role at Swarthmore, Glassman will lead the College's team of human resources professionals and provide strategic direction and oversight of all aspects of the College’s HR operations. She will also play a central role in establishing and communicating human resources policies and priorities to the College community.

While at Widener, Glassman led the transformation of the university’s HR office from a tactical, transactional office to a strategic partner for campus community members. She helped modernize and improve the performance-review process; she introduced and implemented new technology that led to increased transparency and efficiency; and she helped improve the institution’s benefits package, leading to more equitable and inclusive employee health care benefits.

As Union College’s acting CHRO, Glassman developed COVID-19-related policies, communications, and safety plans and protocols. She also worked to implement new recruiting practices; she introduced career development and training initiatives; and she focused on creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all of the college’s employees.

Glassman holds a B.A. in political science from Tufts University and a J.D. and an MBA from Widener University, and has partnered with Swarthmore in the past through her consulting business, helping the College improve its hiring processes.

Interim Vice President of Human Resources Catherine Geddis, who joined the College last fall and has been instrumental in guiding the College through multiple challenges during the past 10 months, will remain in her interim position until Glassman begins in September.