Drey Reis ’25
Scholarship Recipient
Why Smith?
I fell in love with Smith when I visited during my sophomore year of high school. I felt so safe and at home—I had found my people. I knew that this was a place where I could not only be authentically myself, but be empowered to take risks, try new things, and push myself.
What has financial aid meant to you?
Financial aid has allowed me to pursue my dream of being a justice-oriented educator. Without financial aid, I could never have pursued higher education at any institution, let alone Smith. At Smith, I’m able to gain the skills and knowledge to become a more well-rounded and aware individual, and also the tools that will allow me to share these skills with others.
What does being a Smithie mean to you?
Being a Smithie means seeing an opportunity for learning in every new situation, person, and place. It means taking risks not despite the possibility of failure, but because of it. It means accepting when you are wrong and learning from it.
“I knew that Smith was a place where I could not only be authentically myself, but be empowered to take risks, try new things, and push myself.”
What do you hope to do after graduation?
I hope to work with children, either as an early childhood educator, a special education teacher, an aide, or a social worker. No matter which route I choose, I will center values of multiculturalism and justice in my practice.
What achievement at Smith are you proud of?
I’m very proud of my work in my first semester education course, where I was tasked with developing a research question, investigating the existing field of knowledge, collecting data, and analyzing my findings. I chose to explore the way that queer adolescents bond through intense personal sharing. My professor, Shannon Audley [Associate Professor of Education and Child Study], was impressed and invited me to work with her on her own research over the summer. Since then, I have been working closely with her to conduct research on whiteness and niceness in education. This has shaped my own understanding of what it means to take up space as a white educator perceived as female. I believe this research has the potential to radically shape the field of education as we know it.
What do you hope to accomplish at Smith?
I hope to become a more effective catalyst for change, a more ardent advocate for justice, and a more compassionate and empathetic individual. I believe that these three key skills will best equip me for the next stages of my journey.
“Financial aid is what makes Smith as amazing as it is. Our strength comes from the diversity of our students.”
Who has had the most impact on you?
My mom. She was very young when she had me and even though I was an unexpected addition to her life, she has built a beautiful life for us in which I have always felt supported and loved unconditionally. I am inspired every day by the depth of her kindness and patience.
What is your favorite thing at Smith?
The people, including students, faculty, and staff. Everyone is so supportive and loving. I have never been around people who are so driven to succeed themselves and to empower others to succeed.
Why is it important to give to financial aid?
Financial aid is what makes Smith as amazing as it is. Our strength comes from the diversity of our students. And although we have a lot of work to do in that regard, supporting financial aid is a surefire way to make sure that Smith continues to be a hub of new ideas, new connections, and innovations.
Tell us your story about financial aid.
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.