Dear Colleagues, 

After more than 30 years of dedicated service to the university, Chief Compliance Officer Susan Smith has decided to pursue a well-deserved retirement. I am thankful that Susan has graciously agreed to stay on through the end of January 2027. I will work with Susan and the leadership of our Board of Trustees in the months ahead to determine a transition plan. 

Under Susan’s watch, the Ethics and Compliance Office (ECO) has worked tirelessly to foster a culture of integrity to ensure that students, faculty and staff have direct and clear access to the resources needed to uphold the highest standards of ethical behavior. As part of her role in leading the ECO, Susan also oversees our Data Verification Unit, a critical safeguard for the university that reflects our commitment to data accuracy and transparency. 

Within the higher education industry, Temple's ECO is often held up as a national model of what can be accomplished when a university creates an environment where ethics and compliance can thrive. We owe much of that to Susan and her leadership. 

Susan first joined Temple in 1993 as associate university counsel, a role that she held for nearly 15 years. After departing the university in 2008 to pursue other opportunities, she returned to Temple in 2011 to accept the position of senior associate counsel. In 2015, she was promoted to deputy university counsel, and in 2023 became the leader of the ECO. 

Susan’s integrity is one of her strongest attributes. She cares about doing the right thing, regardless of the consequences, and that stood out during her many years serving within the University Counsel’s office.  

Her human-centered approach to compliance has helped the ECO become fully engaged with the university community. While compliance is inherently complicated, Susan has helped the Temple community understand the importance of a formal, well-integrated approach to compliance, especially in an environment where colleges and universities are facing greater scrutiny. 

We will look forward to celebrating Susan as she makes this transition, but in the meantime, please join me in expressing gratitude for all that she has given to this institution. She will be missed. 

Sincerely,  

John Fry  
President