Zsuzsanna Kadas-Foote

Vice Chair, Board of Trustees

After 34 years as a professor at Saint Michael’s College, Zsu (“Sue”) Kadas-Foote retired in 2019. She earned her B.S. in Mathematics and Physics at St. John’s University in New York City, and her Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics at Rutgers University, with research focused on mathematical modeling of biological systems. She has published articles on population dynamics, modeling seashell morphology, and pressure regulation in the brain. Zsu taught courses ranging from Elementary Calculus to senior-level Applied Mathematics and advised students on academic/career goals and research projects. She served on diverse committees including two Presidential Searches, the 2010 NEASC Reaccreditation Steering Committee, and Faculty Council. Her leadership roles included: Chair of the Curriculum and Educational Policy Committee, Moderator of the Faculty Assembly, and Chair of the Mathematics Department for 10 years. She was co-founder and co-director of the UVM-SMC 3+2 Engineering Program from 1994 to 2019.

Over the years, Zsu cultivated a strong interest in the Catholic intellectual and spiritual tradition. A longtime member of the SMC Pontigny Society, she has served on its Advisory Board. Zsu served as a Lector at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception from 1980 until its closing in 2017. Zsu’s Mercy connection goes back to elementary school days at St Gerard Majella in Queens, NY, where the Mercy Sisters were her teachers. All three of her children Peter ’01, Kari ’05, and Alexa ‘05 (Foote) are proud graduates of Mater Christi, and of Rice High School too.

Zsu lives in Shelburne with her husband, Richard Foote, recently retired Professor of Mathematics at UVM. They enjoy travelling, especially to see their grown children and new granddaughter. Zsu also enjoys reading, writing, knitting, photography, cycling, cross-country skiing, and long walks with their irrepressible Airedale Terrier, Pippin.