For Parents & Families
Ensuring that your student has an exceptional college experience is our top priority. We’re here to partner with families to provide the resources you and your student need to make a Smith education a powerful, lifelong investment.
Thursday, September 3, 2026
Lunch for All New Students and Their Families
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Open Dining Rooms
New students and families are invited to join us! Lunch will be served buffet style, so feel free to come at any point during this time. View house menus.
President’s Welcome Assembly
12:30 p.m. | John M. Greene Hall
All entering students and their families are invited to President Sarah Willie-LeBreton’s community address.
Welcome Reception
1:30–2 p.m. | Chapin Lawn (Rain location: Campus Center Carroll Room)
Following the President’s Assembly, light refreshments will be served until 2:30 p.m., when parents and students will head to their respective sessions.
Meet the Campus Life Staff
2:30–3:30 p.m. | John M. Greene Hall
Get to know all the ways Smith staff works to support your student through their time at Smith. This presentation will introduce you to academic and campus life staff, who will lead a lively discussion about what to expect in your student’s first year at Smith. They will also give an overview of the rest of the Family Orientation activities.
Family Orientation Sessions
3:30–4:30 p.m. | Various Locations: Please choose one session
Campus Safety & Your Student
Seelye Hall 211 | With Jimi Nealy, chief of Campus Safety
Through an equitable and inclusive model of service and outreach, the Smith College Campus Safety Department helps ensure that every member of the Smith community can safely live and work on campus in an environment of mutual respect and support. Join Chief Nealy to learn more about Campus Safety programming and support.
Engaging in Co-Curricular Life
Campus Center 205 | With Tamra Bates, director of Student Engagement
Join Tamra Bates from Student Engagement as they answer your questions about getting and staying engaged, both on campus and off. With events and games to attend, clubs and organizations to join, and a community to engage with, there is something for everyone here at Smith.
Living in Smith Houses
Seelye Hall 302 | With Crys Arellano-Fryer, associate director of Residence Life
Students and parents are invited to learn more about the Office of Residence Life, living in Smith College houses and community, and the residential education experience. The presentation will feature both professional staff and a panel of current students who will share their experience living on campus and with Residence Life at Smith. All are welcome!
Student Financial Services 101
Seelye Hall 212 | With Polly Gelfman, assistant director of Student Financial Services, and Michael Ireland, associate director of Student Financial Services
Meet with staff from Student Financial Services to discuss your student’s money management, campus employment, the billing process, and financial aid.
Smith’s Student Support Resources
Seelye Hall 206 | With Hannah Durrant, director of Residence Life, and Kris Evans, director of the Schacht Center for Health & Wellness
Join Hannah Durrant from Residence Life and Kris Evans from the Schacht Center for Health and Wellness to understand the college’s support resources and how students can reach out for help if they are having a difficult time.
Understanding Internship & Career Opportunities at Smith
Seelye Hall 201 | With Alex Keller, dean of the college and vice president for campus life, and Faith McClellan, dean of career development
Hear from the dean of the college and the dean of career development about a wide range of opportunities through which students can gain personalized career support at Smith, including funded internships, career exploration coaching, industry-specific advising cohorts, job treks, career fairs, alum networking, résumé and interview preparation, and much more. Although your student may have an idea of what careers interest them, many do not, and that is okay! The Lazarus Center for Career Development is here to support students at any stage of their career exploration.
Welcome to the Smith College Libraries
Neilson Library, Special Collections Classroom (303) | With Jean Ferguson, director of learning, research and technology, and Xochitl Quiroz, first years’ engagement and humanities librarian
When your student asks for your help doing research or working on a course project, send them to us! Learn about the spaces, services, and collections at the Smith College Libraries (SCL), including our recently renovated Neilson Library.
Campus Tours
4:45–6 p.m. | Departing from front of Seelye Hall
Walking tours will end at the Julia McWilliams Child ’34 Campus Center
Accessibility & Accommodations Information Session
5–6 p.m. | Seelye Hall 106
With Maria Schiano, director of accessibility, and members of the ARC team
Staff from the Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) will explain to students and families how the ARC supports equal access and participation for all students with disabilities and/or access needs in all programs and activities at Smith. This session will cover:
- disability services, accommodations, and documentation
- academic requirements and support services
- students’ rights and responsibilities
First-Year Athletes & Families
5:45–6:30 p.m. | Ainsworth Gym
Welcome event for first-year student-athletes and their families.
The Big Picture
She proved the patriarchy was worth exposing.
Considered one of history’s most influential women, feminist icon, writer, and activist Gloria Steinem ’56 has spent more than 50 years working for social justice and gender equality. A three-time Smith Commencement speaker, she mused about generational differences in her 2007 address: “We were asked by the Smith vocational office how many words we could type a minute—a question that was never asked of then all-male students at Harvard or Princeton. Now, computers have come along, and ‘typing’ is ‘keyboarding.’ Suddenly, voila!—men can type! Gives you faith in men’s ability to change, doesn’t it?”
Helpful Information
Have you forgotten when finals start but don’t want to ask your already-stressed-out Smithie for the 10th time in a week? Planning a trip to campus and want to scope out what’s on offer at the Campus Center Café ahead of time?
Take Care
Be there for them even though you can’t be here for them. Many parents and family members enjoy sending care packages to their student—especially during finals or other high-stress times—to provide some comfort and a sweet pick-me-up (or two!). We’ve compiled a short list of local vendors (including our very own bookstore!) and options for sending a hug to your favorite Smithie.
Academic Services
Regardless of your student’s academic interests, Smith has the resources and tools necessary to help them thrive. With several tutoring centers on campus, staffed by both faculty members and peer advisers, each student receives the support they need, when they need it—whether that’s group study sessions or individualized tutoring appointments.
“When I arrived on campus as a first year student nearly 40 years ago, I was told that I would make friends for life, which as a 17 year old I found difficult to imagine, never mind believe. Today, I can attest that those college friends are truly life-long sister-friends who have accompanied me through all of life's trials and tribulations.”
