The Ada Comstock Scholars Program
The lived experiences, strong motivation and commitment of Ada Comstock Scholars enrich the Smith College community.
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Established in 1975, the Ada Comstock Program enables students of nontraditional college age to complete a bachelor of arts degree at a realistic pace, either part time or full time. Ada Comstock Scholars attend the same classes and fulfill the same requirements as all other Smith undergraduates. READ MORE HERE
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Our Namesake:
Ada Louise Comstock​
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From the Smith College website: The Ada Comstock Scholars Program is named for Ada Louise Comstock, who graduated from Smith College in 1897 and served as dean from 1912 to 1923. Throughout her life, Ada demonstrated her commitment to the education of women.​ She strongly believed that a college education should inspire women to take part in shaping the world.
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In 1912, Ada Comstock came to Smith to serve as the first dean of the college and to teach English. One of the most important tenets of her educational philosophy was the inculcation of self-respect in young women, one aspect of which was knowing how to employ oneself. In 1917, when the presidency of Smith College became vacant, Ada was given the responsibility of Smith's operation for approximately six months. The chance to become the president of a women's college presented itself in 1923, when Radcliffe offered Ada the position of its first full-time president.
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President Jill Kerr Conway
Smith College's First Woman President
Jill Kerr Conway was just 39 years old when she accepted the Smith presidency in 1974. During her tenure, she championed the creation of many groundbreaking projects, programs and academic departments, including the Ada Comstock Scholars Program.
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Eleanor Rothman
Founding Director of the Ada Comstock Program
"Under Ellie Rothman's leadership, the Ada Comstock Scholars Program has reached the national prominence it enjoys today; we are fortunate that she is willing to lead our effort to enhance its future."
​~ Smith President Ruth Simmons
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 Patricia Skarda "There is no typical Ada Comstock Scholar." The late Pat Skarda was a fierce and vocal supporter of the Ada Comstock Scholars Program. |  Sidonia "Sid" Dalby Sid retired in 2020 from her role as Associate Director of Admissions and Ada Comstock Advisor. She held the position for almost 40 years. |  Erika Lacquer Erika was Dean and Director of the Ada Comstock Scholars Program for many years. She is still a fierce advocate for Adas. |
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 Helen Gurley Brown Magic Grants are made possible by the generosity of the late writer and magazine pioneer Helen Gurley Brown, legendary editor of Cosmopolitan magazine. The Magic Grants program is designed to encourage imagination, creativity and high aspiration by funding innovative projects that Adas would otherwise not be able to pursue. |  Current Ada Dean Andrea Rossi-Reder. |