HWS News
13 May 2026 • Outcomes New Student Trustees Elected
Representing student voices, two rising juniors prepare to help shape campus priorities and policy.
Kaleigh McPhail '28 and Delainy Williams '28 have been chosen by their peers to serve as members of the Hobart and William Smith Board of Trustees. This essential and long-established role at HWS ensures students have input on decisions that shape campus and its policies.
Student Trustees are tasked with engaging students and making their voices heard. As juniors they are responsible for attending and participating in all board meetings and then as seniors they are given full voting rights.
McPhail and Williams will learn the ropes from current Student Trustees Cori Bohan ’27 and Rupert Ramsay ’27.
Elections for the Student Trustee position take place during spring term and are open to any sophomore in good standing. Once submitted, student names are put on a petition, which must reach 100 signatures in order to be placed on the official ballot.
McPhail and Williams begin their two-year appointment in the fall semester.
As HWS Student Government’s Vice President of Communications, McPhail is experienced at ensuring student voices are heard. As part of the HWSSG Executive Board, she works with administrators to shape campus policy while serving on multiple committees. Currently, she serves on the Committee on Standards and as head of the Folk Fest marketing committee. She also serves as an Orientation Mentor to incoming students.
McPhail was recently inducted into the Laurel Society, which celebrates sophomore and junior students who demonstrate commitment to the HWS community through their academic accomplishments and leadership.
In her new role as Student Trustee, McPhail says she wants to move the student body into spaces where they connect with each other. To that end, she looks to unite cultural clubs and student organizations by improving how they share information and bringing them together more often.
In an interview with The Herald, McPhail emphasized communication and transparency, suggesting events that create dialogue, including an open forum with Trustees.
From Richmond, Virginia, McPhail is an International Relations major and Politics minor.
Williams has been captain of the William Smith Volleyball Team. A standout setter, Williams earned back-to-back All-American honors and was selected to the AVCA All-Region First Team twice.
After a successful rookie season, Williams was named the AVCA Region III Freshman of the Year, the Liberty League Rookie of the Year and to the All-Liberty League First Team. She was awarded the Stephanie Christie '82 Award as well as the Most Valuable Player award after earning seven Liberty League Rookie of the Week selections.
In her sophomore season, Williams was once again named to the All-Liberty League First Team and was named to the CSC Academic All-District team. She is the first Heron in program history to surpass the 1,000-career assist mark and currently sits at 2,345 assists. Through 61 matches played, Williams has averaged 10.66 assists per set, 0.41 service aces per set, 1.71 digs per set and 0.35 blocks per set.
Williams works with local schools and youth programs as site coordinator for HWS Tutor Corps., connecting HWS tutors and mentors with area schoolchildren. Williams is also part of the Laurel Society and serves on the Student-Athlete Advisory Council as liaison between student-athletes and the administration to improve athletes’ experience on campus.
As Student Trustee, Williams looks to foster a closer relationship between the Board of Trustees and the HWS student body. One of her objectives as Student Trustee is to improve campus accessibility and food options for students.
From Portland, Oregon, Williams is a Politics major with planned minors in Spanish and Business and Management.
5/11/26
