NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (AP) — Smith College has named an expert on child development and early education as its new president.

The trustees at the women’s college in Northampton on Monday named Kathleen McCartney, dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Education, as Smith’s 11th president.

Chairwoman Elizabeth Mugar Eveillard calls McCartney ‘‘an exceptional leader who understands ... the importance of women’s education in a resonant way.’’

McCartney says Smith students ‘‘learn to examine arguments closely, test the limit of their judgment, step forward into leadership and exceed their own expectations.’’

At Harvard, McCartney has helped the education school raise $162 million, including two $10 million gifts in support of programs that have brought the university’s schools of business and government into partnership with the education school.