Madelyn Halperin ’26
Scholarship Recipient
Why Smith?
I chose Smith because I wanted to attend a school where a liberal arts education was highly valued and the people around me would have a drive to gain knowledge and demonstrate compassion in their work. Smith’s culture of excellence and status as a historically women’s college ultimately led to my decision to attend.
What does being a Smithie mean to you?
Being a Smithie means that I am part of a long history of students who are activists, leaders, forward-thinkers, and change makers. It’s an honor to participate in the unique traditions that Smithies before me have taken part in.
How did financial aid impact your college decision?
I was terrified of taking out loans as an undergraduate, so Smith’s no-loans program has enabled me to continue my education where I want. Smith’s financial aid process is also genuinely inclusive. As a student who completes my own financial aid forms, I can say the financial services office has helped me through the process many times.
What are you studying? Do you know what you’ll do after college?
I am a double major in government (with a concentration in international politics) and Middle East studies (focusing on religion). After graduation, I hope to become a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant and teach English in the Palestinian Territories. I want to continue the studies I have started at Smith, from advancing my Arabic fluency to researching medieval history in the Levant. I aspire to work internationally on projects related to sustainable development in education, women’s rights, and policy in the Middle East and North Africa.
What’s an accomplishment you’re particularly proud of?
One of my greatest accomplishments at Smith was helping author a Ceasefire Resolution for the war in Gaza. This work entailed collaborative and thorough research with the assistance of the SGA Senate and Students for Justice in Palestine. The impact of this Resolution is an ability to connect with other campuses across the U.S. to aid them in a similar process.
Who or what has had the most impact on your life?
My younger sister Hannah; she was born with Down Syndrome and inspires me to be open-hearted, caring, and to laugh a lot.
Favorite thing about Smith?
All the traditions! My favorite day of the year is Quad Olympics, where every house on the Quad competes for the top spot in different sports like dodgeball and tug-of-war.
What’s an opportunity you’ve had at Smith that’s changed you?
The Praxis Program at Smith enabled me to travel abroad in the summer of 2023 to Israel and Palestine to participate in the Achvat Amim Summer Solidarity Cohort. During this program, I completed solidarity work in the West Bank, studied Judaism with an anti-Zionist and anti-occupation framework, and practiced Palestinian colloquial Arabic. Without Praxis funding, I would never have even dreamed of completing this incredible and life-changing experience.
Why should donors support financial aid?
Financial aid at Smith is the key to accessibility and inclusion at Smith. Financial aid opens doors for students like myself to attend Smith and take part in the traditions and events that make this college so special.
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.