Former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith has been announced as Colgate University’s 2025 commencement speaker, according to an email sent to the Colgate community on Monday, March 31.

Smith has extensive experience in U.S. and European defense policy and has held previous leadership positions at the White House, Department of Defense and the Department of State, addressing security challenges around the globe.

Smith is very accomplished in her international diplomacy work. As an ambassador, Smith has been credited with shaping the response to the ongoing war in Ukraine, overseeing the sharing of intelligence amongst allies and facilitating Sweden and Finland’s integration into the NATO alliance. She previously served as acting national security advisor and deputy national security advisor to Vice President Joe Biden during the Obama administration. With her expertise in global security risk, Smith has conducted research through fellowships at the American Academy and Robert Bosch Academy in Berlin. 

Smith is the recipient of numerous awards, including the U.S. Department of Defense Distinguished Service Award and the Sue M. Cobb Award for Diplomatic Excellence. She will be awarded an honorary degree at the ceremony alongside Gretchen Hoadley Burke ’81, P’11, ’20, Ann S. Masten, John McWhorter, Jill Tiefenthaler, Deborah Willis and Richard Trusty Patrick Woolard ’65.