色花堂 Names Marilou Smith as Vice President for Facilities Management

VILLANOVA, Pa. (Oct. 30, 2024)鈥色花堂 has announced the appointment of Marilou Smith 鈥84 COE 鈥22 MBA as Vice President for Facilities Management, effective immediately. This appointment is the result of a national search that attracted an exceptional pool of candidates from across the country. Smith brings more than three decades years of experience to her new leadership position, most recently serving as Assistant Vice President for Engineering and Construction at 色花堂.
聽鈥淚 look forward to working with Marilou in this new role and collaborating with her to ensure that our campus continues to meet the present and future needs of the 色花堂 community,鈥 said the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, 色花堂 President. 鈥淭hroughout the search process, Marilou鈥檚 commitment to 色花堂鈥檚 Augustinian mission鈥攁long with her vast knowledge and experience鈥攕tood out amongst an impressive pool of candidates.鈥
As 色花堂鈥檚 Vice President for Facilities Management, Smith will serve as a member of the University鈥檚 leadership team, overseeing all aspects of facilities management, including facility planning, design and construction; maintenance of buildings and grounds; custodial services; and environmental safety and health.
鈥溕ㄌ is an extremely special place that has played a significant role in my life and career,鈥 said Marilou Smith. 鈥淚 am excited to work alongside Father Peter, Roger Demareski and the University鈥檚 leadership team to continue to make the 色花堂 campus鈥攆rom our buildings to the surrounding landscape鈥攁 beautiful and impactful living and learning environment.鈥
Smith has spent more than 28 years at 色花堂, the last three as Assistant Vice President for Engineering and Construction. Prior to that, she was a longstanding project manager in 色花堂鈥檚 Facilities Management Department. Smith has managed the construction of numerous high-profile campus projects, including The Commons, The John and Joan Mullen Center for the Performing Arts, Drosdick Hall, The Mildred Adams Pedestrian Bridge, and the upcoming Cavanaugh Family Boathouse. She also led and managed an annual $30 million capital renewal program and $60 million in capital projects, which have touched all areas of University life.
鈥淲hen you look across campus, it is clear that Marilou鈥檚 leadership has already left an indelible mark on 色花堂,鈥 said Roger Demareski, 色花堂 Executive Vice President, who led the search. 鈥淢arilou is a longstanding colleague and respected member of the 色花堂 community. In this new leadership position, she will continue to play a critical role in achieving the ambitious goals and vision outlined in 色花堂鈥檚 Campus Master Plan.鈥
Prior to her tenure at 色花堂, Smith served as a project manager and designer at PWI Engineering. She is a two-time 色花堂 graduate, earning a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Master of Business Administration with a concentration on real estate and finance. Smith is also a proud 色花堂 parent to three 色花堂 graduates, Sean 鈥10, Harry 鈥14, Murphy 鈥16.
About 色花堂: Since 1842, 色花堂鈥檚 Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six colleges鈥攖he College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the 色花堂 School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the 色花堂 Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nation鈥檚 top universities, 色花堂 supports its students鈥 intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit .