Community Engagement Portal

When I came to Smith, I only had an idea for a Robotics Outreach Initiative. Through the Jandon Center at Smith College and the support of the Jandon Activist Fellowship, that idea has bloomed into a fully-realized Robotics Outreach Initiative that is making a meaningful difference in the greater Connecticut River Valley. The STEAM Robotics Outreach Initiative at the Jandon Center for Community Engagement is an initiative that designs and implements holistic (i.e. mechanics, programming, circuity,ideation/contextualization) robotics programs for learners of all ages. I see the difference the work makes each time I help facilitate a workshop whether that’s seeing a student open up to the idea of becoming an engineer or students cheering for their robots in a challenge.

 

When entering the first couple of days into my first year at Smith College, it was nerve-wracking. However, being part of the Jandon team made my transition smoother as I created meaningful relationships. Now as a sophomore, Jandon is one of my favorite places here on campuses, and I am looking forward to being part of the Jandon team till my senior year!

I am involved in Jandon mainly through my work with the Community Service Organization (CSO). I got involved in my first year as a house representative and organized a project for students in my house to make no-sew fleece blankets which we donated to a local homeless shelter. This is now the third year that the CSO has done this project, and it’s a great way for students to do a fun activity while also being of service to our surrounding community. I am now in my senior year and serving as the Chair of the CSO board. Throughout my time at the Jandon Center, it has been inspiring to see the many ways that Smith students are actively making an effort to both offer their time and skills to the community as well as learn from their experiences working in the community.

I first got introduced to the Jandon Center through Nancy Zigler having taken the gateway course into the CESC concentration with her. At the start of my sophomore year I got admitted to the SAJE fellowship, which gave me the opportunity to interact with almost every staff member in the Jandon Center in some capacity and physically be in the space more. I am also now officially a CESC concentrator, which gives me additional opportunities to interact with students and professors involved in the Jandon center in different ways. The people who work in the Jandon center and those involved in the variety of programs run through the center have created such a welcoming and great community for me on campus. 

"The Jandon Center is a vibrant, welcoming, and humanitarian community of inspired students and staff who care about promoting meaningful and fulfilling community outreach. As a member of the STEAM Team (a branch of the Jandon Center), I have been able to work with intelligent and considerate team members, and explore various interests in the sciences while also integrating my passion for the arts. Although college is very busy and academically charged, the Jandon Center at Smith makes it possible to become a part of the greater community and feel the benefits of activist work while also striving toward desirable academic goals."