Elizabeth (Liz) Lopez ’22
Scholarship Recipient
Why did you want to attend Smith?
I learned about Smith during my freshman year of high school, and I knew that Smith would be my haven. Ironically enough, my first year I was assigned to live in Haven House. I knew I would experience self-growth at Smith as a Latinx, first-generation student by making the bold decision to move across the country to attend college.
What has financial aid meant to you?
I am incredibly grateful for the financial aid I’ve received. My aid package diminished the shadow looming over me of how I was going to afford higher education. Receiving the amount of aid that I did helped me let go of my fears that the cost would hurt me and be a financial burden for my family.
What does being a Smithie mean to you?
Every Smithie is different, but I think something we share is our goal to fight for social justice. I see a fire in Smithies to make a tangible difference in the world with the resources and education Smith College provides us.
“I see a fire in Smithies to make a tangible difference in the world with the resources and education Smith College provides us.”
What challenges did you overcome to make it to Smith?
I had to overcome the culture shock I initially felt in my classrooms as a person of color entering a predominantly white institution. Finding my community and taking up space to make my presence known took time and mental strength. This pandemic has taught me to overcome this imposter syndrome and know that I am worthy of calling myself a Smithie.
What’s an accomplishment you’re proud of?
As a junior, I became a mentor for First Gen Out Loud, a program at Smith dedicated to supporting first-generation college students. Despite having to meet with first-years through Zoom, we still felt like a community on a virtual level. I felt like a leader as I encouraged them to reach out to professors, book appointments at the Jacobson Center for writing assistance, and, most importantly, prioritize their mental health.
What is your favorite thing about Smith so far?
My house, because it creates community. Coming home to a group of individuals who are going through similar struggles and insecurities allows us to come together and lift each other up. Also, part of my Smith education comes from my house members who share interesting facts every day because of their different backgrounds.
Contact Us
To make an endowed gift or to learn more about supporting financial aid at Smith, please contact Betsy Carpenter ’93, associate vice president for development, at 413-585-2052 or ewcarpen@smith.edu.
