
Student Engagement
The Office of Student Engagement (OSE) helps students make intentional decisions about their involvement, both in and out of the classroom, for a more meaningful Smith experience. We encourage students to engage in learning without limits by creating and encouraging opportunities for involvement that will help them connect to Smith and the global community.
Smith Social Network
About the Office of Student Engagement
Tamra Bates
Director of Student Engagement
413-585-4967
Mike Makoski
Associate Director of Student Engagement
413-585-6253
Stacey Sirois
Assistant Director of Student Engagement
413-585-4988
Davis Bannister
Operations Coordinator
413-585-4839
Ruby Lowery
Student Programs Coordinator
413-585-2633
Values That Guide Our Work
The Office of Student Engagement assists students in making intentional decisions about their in and out of class involvement for a more meaningful Smith experience. Together with our learning outcomes, these core values are integral to our success.
Social Justice
The OSE embraces diversity in all its forms, including the multiple identities of ethnicity, race, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, age, religion and socioeconomic status, as well as every aspect of our life that defines our humanity. Our commitment to social justice refers to the intentional and consistent valuing, respecting and inclusion of all people and development of an environment where this is possible.
Intentional Learning
As educators, the OSE staff is committed to providing intentional learning opportunities and assessing best practices. We encourage student responsibility, creativity, accountability, personal and professional growth, and development.
Community
Our staff is committed to finding and creating opportunities for all students to interact with their community according to their interests, strengths, activities and curiosities. We provide an experience exemplifying a consistent commitment to quality by exceeding community expectations in our programs, facilities and services. Through programs, facilities and staff interactions, we embrace the opportunity to collaborate with our community for the successful completion of their goals and initiatives.
Wellness
The Smith College Campus Center offers space and resources for students, faculty and staff to experience joy, have fun, be well and grow. Housed within the Campus Center, the OSE is dedicated to supporting the community's use of the space for programs and events, to practice balance, and to relax and reconnect with one another in meaningful ways.
Learning Outcomes
Through involvement with the OSE, students will:
- Report growth in their own confidence, decision making, conflict resolution and/or interpersonal communication and their sense of belonging to the college campus through participation in a student organization.
- Identify ways in which they contribute to an efficient and effective team as employees of the OSE.
- Develop an understanding of the role that the student engagement hub plays in developing a healthy, vibrant and just community.
Developed in the spring of 2021, the Blueprint for Belonging is the student engagement education model which guides the learning that happens through involvement and a student’s engagement in life outside of the classroom. The Blueprint was developed to allow us to be more intentional with regard to the learning we create and support for the students in our community and allow us as professionals, to strengthen partnerships across campus. The Blueprint starts with the end in mind - determine what we want students to learn and develop learning goals and outcomes that help them get there. This model encourages students to be the author of their own stories, to embrace their role as community builders, and help them to determine who they are in the world and how they want to engage.
As a professional team, the Blueprint will help shape our year in advising, in programming and in student employment. Thinking critically about what we do and how we talk about our work, will help us focus on what we have determined as important components of building a strong community. No longer holding on to programs because of history, the Blueprint will allow us to shape our engagement framework, helping students map their involvement across the College and delivering on a more inclusive, engaged and equitable student experience.
Student employment is more than a paycheck when you work for the Office of Student Engagement. It's about fostering your personal and professional growth, increasing your marketable skills and preparing for work outside of Smith College. It's a leadership experience you choose to fit your needs.
Available Positions
OSE Lead, Student Engagement Team
The OSE Leads works closely with our professional staff and play a vital role in providing additional support and resources to the Student Engagement Team, SET. Leads are trained to manage and support events, to serve as a resource for the SET throughout the year, lead trainings and professional development opportunities for the team and collaborate with the professional staff in meeting the needs of our guests throughout each day. Leads must have prior experience working as a member of SET and are hired through an internal process in November and April.
OSE SET, Student Engagement Team
The OSE Student Engagement Team, SET, works with our professional staff to manage and support events, programs and respond to customer's need in the Campus Center. The Team is responsible for staffing the Information Desk, taking care of room furniture and technical needs for meetings and events, staffing the main Office of Student Engagement, supporting project management and all OSE programming initiatives Applications are accepted in Workday throughout the year with hiring taking place in November and April.
OSE PET, Party & Events Team
The Party & Events Team is a specialized group trained to support special events, including parties in both the Campus Center and in the Houses. Students are trained on party and event management, safety protacals, and must be willing to work nights and weekends. Applications are accepted in Workday throughout the year.
Julia McWilliams Child ’34 Campus Center
Reservable Spaces in the Campus Center
Student Programs
Smith Votes
Smith Votes is an initiative aimed at boosting civic engagement on campus. A partnership between the Student Government Association, the President’s Office, the Office of Student Engagement, the Wurtele Center for Leadership and the Jandon Center for Community Engagement, Smith Votes intends to increase the number of students on campus who are registered to vote, to help inform students about candidates and issues, and to foster voting in local, state and national elections. Follow Smith Votes on Facebook, Instagram and the Smith Social Network.
Contact Office of Student Engagement
Julia McWilliams Child ’34 Campus Center 106
Smith College
100 Elm Street
Northampton, MA 01063