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of her mother and grandmother and the faith exhibited by her
grandfather, a Baptist minister, with her positive approach to
life’s challenges.
“We grew up with the understanding that ‘You will do better,’”
she said. “This was a statement, not a question. There was no
leniency. Ever. And there was always an understanding that
education and tenacity play equal roles in achieving success…
along with a sense of humor.”
Nonetheless, she did not start college until age 24, after being
sidelined by life-threatening health problems and the absence of
mentors for bright young people who lacked financial resources.
“Even though I was valedictorian of my high school class, no one
talked to me about the possibility of applying for scholarships,” she
said; instead, she was urged to consider secretarial school so that
she could earn a living. She worked full-time as an administrative
assistant, earning her degree at night, on lunch hours, and on
weekends in a little over five years, graduating
summa cum laude
from UA’s Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business
Administration, then going on to earn her MBA at night while
working as UAB’s budget director.
That experience as a first-generation college student helped her
understand the transformative power of higher education and
produced a life-long commitment to mentoring young people
seeking to further their education. Today, she says, a small liberal-
arts college experience is the best option not just for students of
privilege who have always expected to land on a professional track,
but also for first-generation students like herself looking to broaden
their intellectual and social horizons.
“That’s because BSC supports every student and challenges each
one to go for the gold,” she said.
As her first major donation other than to church, Flaherty-
Goldsmith established a scholarship at UAB through payroll
deduction; its focus is supporting women returning to college after
having struggled in the workplace. It is named for the two strong
women who guided her childhood—her mother and grandmother.
Changing attitudes
Flaherty-Goldsmith’s understanding of poverty and community
led her to set a new strategic priority for Birmingham-Southern even
before her official return to campus. Going forward, one of the
college’s goals will be to support, encourage, and drive economic
development in the neighborhoods that surround the campus.
She has also set two other strategic priorities: making the college
more accessible to a broad base of students who currently believe
BSC to be out of their reach, and increasing the diversity of the
student body, faculty, and staff on the Hilltop. The college took
a positive step this year by introducing a new Student of Color
Scholarship to assist with recruiting.
“This college needs to reflect the world in which we live and
the city we call home,” Flaherty-Goldsmith said. “We’ve been
fortunate that a number of students of color have chosen BSC and
have become extraordinary campus leaders. Now it’s time that our
faculty be equally representative of our nation. We are making
progress in that arena, as well.”
That’s important, she said, because offering a diverse educational
experience will prepare all students to succeed in a diverse world.
At the same time, changing national and global demographics
means more college students will come from non-traditional
backgrounds. That includes an increasing pool of students who
don’t move immediately from high school to four-year institutions;
today, it is estimated that more than half of all college grads will
attend a two-year college for some portion of their education.
At the same time, she said, BSC must begin to tear down the
myth that private liberal arts education is simply out of reach
for most students. The college’s estimated cost of attendance
(including tuition, fees, housing, food, and more) is high—but
because of generous scholarship packages, very few students pay
full freight. In fact, the net cost to the student is comparable to
that paid to attend a state institution. Nonetheless, she said,
many families will not even consider a place like BSC because they
assume it’s beyond their reach.
“We know the true value of a BSC education, all the plusses
you get on a campus like this—faculty relationships, leadership
opportunities, a true community,” Flaherty-Goldsmith said.
“Unfortunately, many families entering the college search process
don’t understand what makes us distinct from larger universities,
and because they see the high sticker price, they simply close that
door before exploring our generous financial aid packages.”
The “Rise to Your Potential” advertisements, which highlight
the success of alumni as proof of what BSC provides students, are
the first step in changing that perception, along with stepped-up
recruiting efforts across the South and into Texas.
Flaherty-Goldsmith at a Southern Society Reception at the President’s Home last fall
honoring alumni and friends who further the well-being of the college with annual
contributions of $1,000 or more.
Flaherty-Goldsmith jumped into the pool a er the women’s swimming and diving
team won this year’s SAA Championship.