Writing about what matters. Having the courage and conviction to speak up and speak out. These are hallmarks of what it means to learn and study at Smith College, and to live a life as an engaged global citizen who is ready to address society’s challenges. Thanks to a dedicated faculty and staff, and supported by prestigious foundations, Smith is transforming how we teach students to write across courses, disciplines, programs and events, with public discourse at the center. Students don’t just practice writing in the classroom, they get a chance to put their ideas into action and make a difference in the world.
Read more about the program in the Winter 2022 issue of the Smith Alumnae Quarterly.
Taking Initiative
Thanks to nearly $1.6 million in funding, since 2019 Smith has embarked on writing and public discourse initiatives that will continue through 2022 and beyond. These initiatives involve every level of the college, from revising and developing individual courses, to bringing on new faculty members, training faculty in a Writing Enriched Curriculum, and infusing the college at an institutional level with a philosophy that puts writing and public discourse at the forefront.
LEARN MORE ABOUT SMITH COLLEGE’S WRITING ENRICHED CURRICULUM
Featured Projects

Real-world writing. Smith students express insightful opinions based on compelling evidence and strong argument. They regularly publish articles in mainstream media outlets and scholarly journals, either independently or with faculty. The Jacobson Center provides editorial guidance.
Ideas That Resonate
Hanna Beck ’23, “Feminist Wishes for 2022: We Were Never Meant To Do This Work Alone,” Ms. Magazine, with Martha Garbarini ’22, December 30, 2021.
Odile Gogibu ’22, “The Afternoon Buzz,” WHMP, December 10, 2021.
Leela de Paula ’23, “Smith’s $500K donation solidifies its relationship with city,” Daily Hampshire Gazette, December 27, 2021.
Jenna Sutherland ’23, “Vermont Law School Is Right to Cover Over a Controversial Mural,” Hyperallergic, August 18, 2021.
Lucie Brock ’24, “My Turn: Canceling student debt is the least we can do,” Greenfield Recorder, December 30, 2020.

In 2021–22, Smith College will host an ambitious set of programs and events under the organizing theme “Year on Democracies.” Everyone in the Smith community is invited to participate and collaborate in this collegewide initiative.
Ambitious Projects. Positive Impacts.
Year on Democracies
In 2021–22, Smith College is hosting a collegewide initiative under the organizing theme “Year on Democracies.”
View moreSmith Writes
An interdisciplinary, nonfiction journal features the work of students in Writing Intensive courses.
View moreThe Amplify Program
Sponsored by the Wurtele Center for Leadership, Smith students can give a public voice to their perspectives through writing, art and speaking.
View moreJournalism Concentration
The Journalism Concentration trains student journalists in a curriculum grounded in the liberal arts.
View moreThe Narratives Project
Students reflect on their identity, goals, dreams and opportunities, discovering what it means to fully immerse themselves in leading their best lives.
View moreCelebrating Collaborations
Students present their scholarly work as part of oral sessions, panels, poster sessions, exhibits and performances.
View moreWordsmith: Smith Alumnae Authors
Smith alumnae have made their mark in literature.
View moreVoices & Visions Journal
The Voices & Visions literary journal publishes the visual and written works of phenomenal women.
View more
Reflections
—Student from a Calderwood Seminar
—Nancy Whittier, Professor of Sociology
—Student from a Calderwood Seminar
Directors
Julio Alves
Director of the Jacobson Center
Richard Millington
Helen and Laura Shedd Professor of English Language & Literature
Hélène Visentin
Associate Dean of the Faculty; Professor of French Studies
Mellon Visiting Assistant Professors of Public Discourse in the Disciplines
Evangeline Heiliger, American Studies
David Howlett, Religion
Melissa Yates, Philosophy
Writing & Public Discourse Committee Members
Co-Chairs: Julio Alves and Richard Millington
Sara Eddy, Assistant Director of the Jacobson Center
Suzanne Gottschang, Professor of Anthropology and of East Asian Studies
Travis Grandy, Interim Team Lead, Learning and Design
Alice Hearst, Professor of Government and Director of First-Year Seminars
Alexandra Keller, Professor of Film and Media Studies and Director of the Kahn Institute
James Lowenthal, Mary Elizabeth Moses Professor of Astronomy
Jane Stangl, Dean of the First-Year Class
Calderwood Seminar Instructors
Marnie Anderson, Professor of History
Carrie Baker, Professor of the Study of Women & Gender
Nalini Bhushan, Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities and Professor of Philosophy
Anna Botta, Professor of Italian Studies and of World Literatures
Sergey Glebov, Associate Professor of History
Suzanne Gottschang, Professor of Anthropology and of East Asian Studies
Benita Jackson, Professor of Psychology
Barbara Kellum, Professor of Art
Daphne Lamothe, Professor of Africana Studies
Dana Leibsohn, Alice Pratt Brown Professor of Art
Richard Millington, Helen and Laura Shedd Professor of English Language & Literature
Tom Roberts, Assistant Professor of Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies
Julianna Tymoczko, Professor of Mathematics & Statistics
Camille Washington-Ottombre, Associate Professor of Environmental Science & Policy
Nancy Whittier, Sophia Smith Professor and Professor of Sociology
MJ Wraga, Professor of Psychology
Melissa Yates, Mellon Visiting Assistant Professor of Public Discourse in the Disciplines: Philosophy
Contact
To share ideas or questions about Smith’s Writing & Public Discourse Initiatives, please contact Julio Alves at the Jacobson Center for Writing, Teaching & Learning.