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A Path of Her Own Making

Alum News

Kiara Gomez
BY ANDREA COOPER

Published September 13, 2016

Career: Entering a Ph.D. program at the University of Texas, Austin

Her own way: “When I was applying, my college counselor advised me not to apply to any out-of-state school because I did not ‘fit’ in their programs. It was after a few days that I realized she meant diversity-wise.”

All of the above: “I took advantage of every opportunity that Smith gave its students: grants, travel, work, Praxis, seminars, fellowships, using the career center, contacting faculty.”


This story appears in the Summer 2016 issue of the Smith Alumnae Quarterly.

Learn More

1st Gen 

Changing the script: Coming to Smith as first in the family to finish college can mean culture shock and confusion. But, as one alumna says, can open doors to 'a life I never knew existed'. 

Dreams of College 

Helen Lan Fong Lee AC ’03
Portland, Oregon
Sociology major

Motivated to Succeed

Jewels Rhode ’11
Durham, North Carolina
Psychology major

Prevailing Over a Rough Start 

Allison Bellew Sousa ’08
Boulder, Colorado
Computer science major

Doors Opened 

Sarah Coburn ’07
Philadelphia
English major

Resources for First-Generation Students 

A compliation of some of the resources available to FIGS, the group of First-Generation Students that together form a community of support and success.

Photographed by Beth Perkins, April 2, 2016, in Astoria, Queens, New York City