I am Smith

Hannah Simmons

Hannah Simmons portrait
About Hannah

Class of 2020

Memphis, Tennessee

History and Africana studies, double major

Five College Early Renaissance Ensemble

Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellow

Gold Key tour guide

There was a time when, as a high school student looking at colleges, I was considering a lot of different schools, but none was an all-women’s college. When I was a senior, Smith’s Women of Distinction program flew me in for a three-day visit, and I really liked the environment. There were students from so many different backgrounds; Smith has much more diversity than I expected. 

Another reason I came to Smith: I decided I wanted to go to a college where I could be a campus tour guide. I love being a Gold Key tour guide here and explaining to people how great a school Smith is. I often get asked what is my experience as a student of color at Smith. I talk about the Unity organizations that celebrate cultural heritage and the Bridge orientation program, which I attended, and how amazing it is. 

“I love being a Gold Key guide and explaining to people how great a school Smith is.”

Since I’ve been at Smith, I’ve joined the Five College Early Renaissance Ensemble. I play violin and viola; I’m the only Smithie in the five-person group so I meet a lot of people from the other colleges, which is fun. 

I am majoring in history, and I was recently accepted into the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship program. I plan to do a research project related to racial identity and differences. I’m also doing a summer internship at the Museum of African American History in Boston. It’s nice to have all these options. Smith truly is a school that wants to help women find success. And I’m one of those women who, as a Smithie, wants to change the world.

Hannah Simmons in the campus center