HWS News
7 August 2026 • Alums • Faculty Kirk Honored by Professional Women of the Finger Lakes
Professional Women of the Finger Lakes recognizes Kirk for transformative leadership, mentorship and advancing opportunities for women.
Provost and Dean of Faculty Sarah Kirk has been recognized by the Professional Women of the Finger Lakes (PWFL) for professional leadership, institutional impact and commitment to advancing women through education, mentorship and community engagement.
Presented during the organization's annual scholarship fundraiser last month, the recognition celebrates women whose careers demonstrate excellence, integrity and lasting contributions to their professions and communities. The event also raises funds for scholarships supporting local students, including incoming HWS first-year student Mia Henry ’30, one of this year's scholarship recipients.
PWFL's mission is to build powerful women professionally, personally and politically through advocacy, education, community outreach and networking opportunities while supporting scholarships, mentoring, workplace equality, legislative initiatives and health issues.
As Provost and Dean of Faculty, Kirk serves as Hobart and William Smith's chief academic officer, providing strategic leadership for HWS’ academic mission. Since joining HWS in 2021, she has led several transformative initiatives, including the development of new graduate programs, a comprehensive review and restructuring of 36 academic programs, and a multi-year redesign of the general education curriculum to prepare students for the evolving demands of the 21st century while preserving the strengths of a liberal arts education.
An accomplished organic chemist, Kirk earned her Ph.D. from the University of California, San Diego and her undergraduate degree in chemistry from Whitman College. She has built a distinguished record of community leadership. As a member of the Geneva 2030 Executive Board, she collaborates with regional partners to improve outcomes for Geneva's children through a collective impact approach. She has also served on the Executive Board of the Pacific Northwest Conference and previously guided organizational transformation as Leadership Chair of Trinity Covenant Church, leading strategic planning and institutional restructuring.
Kirk is recognized for her commitment to advancing women in STEM and higher education leadership. Through her involvement with the HERS Luce Program, she has helped cultivate a network of women STEM leaders while facilitating conversations focused on mentoring, intersectionality and inclusive leadership.
Kirk served as the Principal Investigator on a National Science Foundation ADVANCE grant supporting the development of peer networks. She also served as the STEM Administrator on an NSF-S-STEM grant; both grants worked to address barriers impacting the retention and promotion of underrepresented groups in STEM fields.
Her scholarship reflects these same values. In addition to her work in medicinal chemistry, Kirk's research explores equity in STEM fields.
