Nermine Mokdad ’25

Clubs, sports, and activities you’d like to mention: 
Co-president of the Fun Run Club. 

Describe your major for someone who has never heard of your field before. 
We spend hours building physical models, and we also spend a lot of time using software like Rhino to create digital ones. As critique days get closer, we pull all-nighters to get our projects ready, even knowing they’ll never actually get built—but that’s all part of the process! We go through tons of iterations, and while it can be frustrating at times, it’s also incredibly rewarding. 

Did you ever have trouble deciding on a major? What, ultimately, helped you decide? 
Not really. I came to Smith knowing I wanted to major in architecture. If I could do it all over again, though, I might major in engineering or economics—or even design my own major that combines architecture, landscape studies, economics, and engineering.

What is one preconception about your major that people often get wrong? 
Most people think architecture is just about designing pretty buildings and that architects are basically the enemies of engineers, but that’s not the case. I think architecture and urbanism are way more interdisciplinary than people realize. It's not just about making things look good; it’s about making spaces that work for people and the environment. I believe architects collaborate with engineers, not compete with them! 

Plus, I think a great architect or planner considers things like how people move through spaces and how cities can be more sustainable. There’s a lot of sociology, environmental science, and even politics involved when it comes to creating building and shaping communities. 

What advice would you give another Smithie? 
Invest in yourself at Smith as much as possible by building connections with professors you admire, spending quality time with your friends, and seeking out opportunities that align with your interests (Smith has plenty of opportunities and funding!). 

What’s your all-time (big or small) favorite Smith memory? 
Playing in snow for the first time in my life with my international friends at Smith. 

What’s your Big Dream for your future? 
My "Big Dream" for the future is to create a positive and lasting impact on communities. I hope to develop sustainable initiatives that empower individuals, foster collaboration, and enhance quality of life. 

Who was your favorite professor and what did you most like about their style of teaching? 
Reid Bertone-Johnson is the reason I took so many landscape studies classes, which also became my minor. When I first came to Smith, I had planned to major in architecture and minor in Italian. However, after taking “Intro to Landscape Studies” (LSS 105) and learning so much about Smith’s landscape through Reid's fascinating lectures, his teaching approach, and his support for student creativity, I decided to pursue a minor in landscape studies. I enjoyed the classes so much that I ended up taking more landscape studies courses than architecture ones. 

What was most interesting or unique about your house and what will you miss about it? 
Chase House feels like a maze, and I’ve always enjoyed watching first-years or new students wander around, completely lost and confused as they try to navigate it. 

If you could tell an incoming first-year anything about Smith, what would it be? 
Be open. Be curious. Be authentic. 

What is your proudest accomplishment? 
Traveling as much as I can during my time at Smith College. Fun Fact: I've lived in five countries and traveled to 16, three of which I visited thanks to Smith (Denmark, Barbados, and the USA). 

What do you think has been the most “Smithie” thing you’ve done in life so far? 
Dancing with fellow Smith alumnae to ABBA songs under the Chapin Lawn tent until midnight on my birthday during Reunion. 

What do you wish older alums knew about your class? 
We're a bold class!