Tiki Pather ’25

Other clubs, sports, and activities you’d like to mention: 
Architecture student liaison, SJP, USC Prison Education Program Volunteer 

If another student was considering your major, what would you tell them? 
I often encourage people to take Africana Studies courses, as I truly believe these courses teach critical skills and frameworks that we need to understand this world, and our place in it. If someone was already considering this major, I would tell them that Africana Studies, the discipline, and the department at Smith, can become a home away from home for you. And this home will not only bring comfort and allow you to be surrounded by like-minded people, but it is a place that will challenge you in all the right ways. 

What do you see as a potential future dream job or career? 
I definitely see a future in academia, but one where I run a research-based architecture firm, whilst working in and with a university. This critical architectural work is deeply rooted in the frameworks I’ve learned in Africana Studies: looking at the social architecture of our world, and thinking about how we can dismantle/rebuild in a liberatory way. 

If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet? 
It’s so hard to pick any one person! There are just so many brilliant people who I look up to and respect deeply. If I had to choose, I would have loved to have met Winnie Madikizela Mandela. She is a South African struggle icon who I hold in the highest regard, and who was also the victim of a merciless smear campaign when I was growing up. 

What’s one piece of advice you’d like to share about your time at Smith? 
Pursue the classes that light your fire! I found myself pursuing Africana Studies because I was hungrily (and unconsciously) signing up for many Africana classes. But also, allow yourself to experiment. I ended up adding Architecture & Urbanism as my second major very late into my time at Smith. It was definitely a bit of a wild scramble to make sure I completed all I needed for the late addition of another major, but now I’m finding that the confluence of the two disciplines is exactly what I’ve been looking for. It was worth the risk, and now I feel I have more of a range of paths to follow for my time after Smith. 

Describe one moment when a professor was particularly generous. 
My Africana Studies professors have provided me with wonderful advice and guidance as I’ve pursued research beyond my classes. I met with Professor Lamothe to discuss research I was submitting to the SUNY Undergraduate Art History Symposium and spoke about the ethics of the work I was doing. I also spoke with Professor Kamugisha, Professor Lamothe, and Professor Ng about my Cromwell Fellowship research, and they all provided me with invaluable insights about how to conduct the research. This generosity that my Africana Studies profs have extended towards me has meant so much, and has allowed me (and pushed me) to grow in endeavors beyond my coursework. 

What’s one thing you wish you could tell your first-year self about your Smith experience? 
You will find your place and your people, even when it seems like you won’t. All the work will be worth it. Pursuing other opportunities beyond your academics will be worth it. Have faith in the process and keep your curiosity going strong!