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You might think it’s obvious that a professor
would consider teaching to be important. But at larger colleges and universities,
classes frequently are taught by graduate students, not by professors. At Smith,
even the most senior faculty are in the classroom teaching introductory courses,
seminars in their specialties and everything in between. Professors respect their
students and will take you seriously as a scholar. They will challenge you to grow
personally and intellectually and are dedicated to seeing you succeed. As biologist
Steve Williams says, "Nothing is more fun than when a student gets a great
research result and comes bouncing into the lab because she’s so excited about
it."
They teach in small classes, and they’ll know
your name and interests. They’ll ask important questions -- not "When
was the Magna Carta signed?" but "So what?" and "What makes
you think so?" It’s their job to help you think, not to pound facts and
figures into you. They will startle your brain cells in an atmosphere that fosters
cooperation among students.
Although Smith faculty members are noted for
their high academic standards and expect a lot from students, they give a lot to
them as well. One student summed it up this way: "Never has so much work been
so much fun!"
Smith women give their professors consistently high
marks for accessibility. Smith faculty encourage students to drop by their offices
to chat as well as to ask questions, make comments or tackle problems. Most Smith
students get to know several professors as mentors and friends, as well as teachers.
When was the last time you had a teacher who was, as one student described her Smith
psychology professor, "fun, friendly, introspective, receptive and wise"? |
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Teaching
Research
&
Collaboration
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