Hannah Simmons ’20

There was a time when, as a high school student looking at colleges, I was considering a lot of different schools, but none was an all-women’s college. When I was a senior, Smith’s Women of Distinction program flew me in for a three-day visit, and I really liked the environment. There were students from so many different backgrounds; Smith has much more diversity than I expected. 

Another reason I came to Smith: I decided I wanted to go to a college where I could be a campus tour guide. I love being a Gold Key tour guide here and explaining to people how great a school Smith is. I often get asked what is my experience as a student of color at Smith. I talk about the Unity organizations that celebrate cultural heritage and the Bridge orientation program, which I attended, and how amazing it is. 

“I love being a Gold Key guide and explaining to people how great a school Smith is.”

Since I’ve been at Smith, I’ve joined the Five College Early Renaissance Ensemble. I play violin and viola; I’m the only Smithie in the five-person group so I meet a lot of people from the other colleges, which is fun. 

I am majoring in history, and I was recently accepted into the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship program. I plan to do a research project related to racial identity and differences. I’m also doing a summer internship at the Museum of African American History in Boston. It’s nice to have all these options. Smith truly is a school that wants to help women find success. And I’m one of those women who, as a Smithie, wants to change the world.