Villanova University Names Marilou Smith as Vice President for Facilities Management
VILLANOVA, Pa. (Oct. 30, 2024)—Villanova University has announced the appointment of Marilou Smith ‘84 COE ‘22 MBA as Vice President for Facilities Management, effective immediately. This appointment is the result of a national search that attracted an exceptional pool of candidates from across the country. Smith brings more than three decades years of experience to her new leadership position, most recently serving as Assistant Vice President for Engineering and Construction at Villanova.
“I look forward to working with Marilou in this new role and collaborating with her to ensure that our campus continues to meet the present and future needs of the Villanova community,” said the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, Villanova University President. “Throughout the search process, Marilou’s commitment to Villanova’s Augustinian mission—along with her vast knowledge and experience—stood out amongst an impressive pool of candidates.”
As Villanova’s Vice President for Facilities Management, Smith will serve as a member of the University’s leadership team, overseeing all aspects of facilities management, including facility planning, design and construction; maintenance of buildings and grounds; custodial services; and environmental safety and health.
“Villanova is an extremely special place that has played a significant role in my life and career,” said Marilou Smith. “I am excited to work alongside Father Peter, Roger Demareski and the University’s leadership team to continue to make the Villanova campus—from our buildings to the surrounding landscape—a beautiful and impactful living and learning environment.”
Smith has spent more than 28 years at Villanova, the last three as Assistant Vice President for Engineering and Construction. Prior to that, she was a longstanding project manager in Villanova’s Facilities Management Department. Smith has managed the construction of numerous high-profile campus projects, including The Commons, The John and Joan Mullen Center for the Performing Arts, Drosdick Hall, The Mildred Adams Pedestrian Bridge, and the upcoming Cavanaugh Family Boathouse. She also led and managed an annual $30 million capital renewal program and $60 million in capital projects, which have touched all areas of University life.
“When you look across campus, it is clear that Marilou’s leadership has already left an indelible mark on Villanova,” said Roger Demareski, Villanova University Executive Vice President, who led the search. “Marilou is a longstanding colleague and respected member of the Villanova community. In this new leadership position, she will continue to play a critical role in achieving the ambitious goals and vision outlined in Villanova’s Campus Master Plan.”
Prior to her tenure at Villanova, Smith served as a project manager and designer at PWI Engineering. She is a two-time Villanova graduate, earning a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Master of Business Administration with a concentration on real estate and finance. Smith is also a proud Villanova parent to three Villanova graduates, Sean ’10, Harry ‘14, Murphy ’16.
About Villanova University: Since 1842, Villanova University’s Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six colleges—the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nation’s top universities, Villanova supports its students’ intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit www.villanova.edu.