Upper Elm has the greatest range in architectural design and house size. Most of the houses are close to downtown. Capen is a beautiful residence with an equally stunning flower garden. Northrop houses first-year students through seniors and Ada Comstock scholars, and it houses one of the vegetarian/vegan-dining halls. Talbot and Lamont are larger Upper Elm residences and Lamont has a gazebo-style dining hall. Parsons and Parsons Annex are two fantastic houses only a short walk from Capen, and they share residential life staff and a house council.
Area Coordinator
Bethany Peddie
 |
First floor of Chase House |
 |
Send an e-mail |
 |
(413) 585-6970 |
Bethany joins the Smith community from the great Midwest, most recently serving as a hall director in Illinois. She is a self-identified bibliophile, espresso addict, and cat lady.
What are your open hours?
I hold open hours on Tuesdays from 2-4 pm and Wednesdays from 9-10 am.
What are your professional interests?
I consider student affairs work to be a form of institutional allyhood. As an aspiring ally professionally and personally, my interests lie in confronting personal privilege and being a voice for change in dominant/agent communities. In particular, I am interested in processing the intersections between white privilege and other social identities while fostering ally development opportunities for students.
Additionally, I am passionate about increasing the visibility and voice of survivors of interpersonal violence within campus communities. As a vocally identified survivor of sexual assault, my goal is to move beyond the survivor state professionally to become a warrior, a place of being in which experience drives dynamic restorative and transformational action.
What are your personal interests?
As an INFJ introvert, my favorite things in life are centered in deeply held personal relationships and the solitude of my own head. Most of the time I can be found buried in a book in one of my two preferred genres: historical fiction set in medieval Europe or non-fiction exploring the roots of historical Christianity and authentic spiritual practice in the post-modern world.
Whether I’m indulging my introversion or trying to thrive as an introvert in an extroverted world, I am sustained by the fierce love I have for my family: my partner and our two cats. They create a safe space for me to carry with me as I go through life.
What is your education background?
I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Women’s and Gender Studies with a minor in Religious Studies from Eastern Michigan University (summa cum laude!). I also hold a Master of Arts in Higher Education Student Affairs from the same institution. Eventually, I intend to pursue a second M.A. in Women’s and Gender Studies, as well as an Ed.D in social justice education.
Where did you grow up?
I’m a Midwest girl at heart, born in Ohio and raised in Michigan. I have a lot of love and pride for Ypsilanti where I attended undergraduate and graduate school, as well as for Detroit which is truly the soul of the state.
What are your two favorite places on campus?
I’m loving the Olin Fitness Center and the gardens around campus!
