Kayra Lopez, M.A.T. ’16

As an undergraduate here, I was surrounded by people filled with purpose and fueled by their passions. Somehow, every Smithie I met knew that they are on the verge of developing their purpose and in their own process of fulfilling greatness; they were going to change the world for the better. That power driving their passions is how I learned the power of purpose during my time here. Each person I met on campus had a vision to improve the world they were living in and were well on their way toward manifesting that vision.

As a graduate student, I had the opportunity to continue the search for my own purpose, and I found it and so much more. Here, I found a support system that encouraged me to do my best. I found purpose within the graduate fellows I met. I found inspiration from the students I taught and found motivation from the faculty and mentors who propelled me forward. During my time as a MAT student, I had the opportunity to be part of Project Coach, a youth leadership organization that connects Smith to the Springfield community, which established the foundation of my graduate experience. I learned my inspiration fuels my motivation to keep moving toward positive changes in communities that need more resources. As a Project Coach fellow, I learned we have the power of the people around us to lead; we have the power to choose to continue to do better by giving it back to the community, to the students and to everybody who believes in our potential.

I learned that I am capable of anything I perceive because I have the support of the people in my community who reflect and project multiple parts of my identity. For fellows who are interested in pursuing a similar path here, I recommend that you come here with all of your strengths, powers and potential. Create the space you need to expand and manifest your purpose here at Smith. I urge you to find your purpose, cultivate it, define it and defend it.

“During my time as an M.A.T. student, I had the opportunity to be part of Project Coach, a youth leadership organization that connects Smith to the Springfield community, which established the foundation of my graduate experience.”