Audrey Dawson ’21

Smith has been a great place to explore and connect my disparate interests. While I am a computer science major, the environmental concentration has given me the opportunity to work with several interesting organizations. Locally, I worked with HIS & HERS Energy Efficiency, where I was able to learn about home energy efficiency policies and develop content for expanding the sustainability services offered. I also worked with ClimateMusic in San Francisco, Calif., to redesign their system for measuring the impact and effectiveness of their performances, which use music informed by science to make climate change more personal and inspire action.

“I’ve led by empowering my peers and collaborating with a wide range of student orgs and departments to enact change through educational events and programming.”

As a peer facilitator for the Eco-Reps program, I worked with passionate students and staff members to organize events and programs to promote sustainable living. As a sophomore, I organized the Garden Gala in collaboration with the botanic garden to demonstrate sustainable practices to students and promote visiting and engaging with the botanic garden spaces. I worked with other campus groups, including the Smith College archives, WOZQ, the Mwangi Cultural Center, dining services, and with a few local sustainable businesses. Another project I helped lead was a collaboration with the Design Thinking Initiative. We started The Bag Share Project to bring student-made reusable bags and bagshare stations into houses on campus. I’ve led by empowering my peers and collaborating with a wide range of student orgs and departments to enact change through educational events and programming.