Founded in 1901, Sweet Briar College works to educate young women in liberal arts, career preparation and individual
development. The college is renowned for its engineering degree program, equestrian courses and historic architecture. Student Affairs at Sweet Briar has been led by Cheryl Steele since 2006. As vice president of student affairs and dean of co-curricular life, Steele leads 13 full-time and 3 part-time employees in advising, mentoring and expanding on the educational courses of Sweet Briar College.
Steele shares that at the core of Sweet Briar’s identity is its commitment to inclusion and respect. In the face of the Board of Director’s recent decision to close the college, Steele has maintained her selfless concern for the well-being of the student affairs professionals under her leadership. Learning of their inclusion in this year’s class of Most Promising Places despite Sweet Briar’s recent decision to close at the end of the 2014-2015 academic year, Steele shares, “I/we appreciate the acknowledgement and the commitment will continue strongly wherever the staff members end up professionally after Sweet Briar.” It is this astute leadership and genuine concern that makes Sweet Briar College one of this year’s Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs at Baccalaureate and Liberal Arts Institutions.
