For many Smith College students, community is something they expect to find within houses, classrooms, and campus organizations. For some, however, that sense of belonging is also found just beyond the college gates—at Campus School, a vital part of Smith’s educational ecosystem.

For student employees Isha, Heaven, and Katia, working at Campus School did more than provide a job. It deepened their connection to Smith itself, offering relationships, mentorship, and professional experiences that shaped their time at the college in lasting ways.

Isha began working at Campus School during her time at Smith to fill in for another student worker studying abroad. Arriving nervous and unsure of what to expect, she was quickly welcomed into a school community that made space for her to learn and contribute. Reflecting on her experience, Isha shared that Campus School introduced her to “a new community at Smith that was not only welcoming, but also allowed me to meet some of the most incredible people—people who truly enhanced my experience here.”

From the front office to the leadership team, Campus School offered Isha insight into how a school functions both publicly and behind the scenes—an experience that complemented her academic life at Smith and made the institution feel more interconnected. As she prepares to study abroad, she notes that one of the things she will miss most is “the wonderful people at Campus School,” naming the relationships that made the college feel smaller, warmer, and more human.

For Heaven, a first-year student navigating life hours away from home, Campus School became a crucial anchor within the larger Smith community. Introduced to the school through peers she trusted, Heaven initially came seeking a work-study position. What she found instead was an environment that immediately put her at ease. “When I came in to talk about working here, everyone within the office was so welcoming and warm,” she recalled. “I remember being very nervous, but by the end I was hugging Kimberly, feeling relieved.”

That warmth mattered. Campus School provided Heaven with a sense of stability and care that helped her feel grounded at Smith during her first year. She describes the school as a place that “surrounds me with adults who care about me and always treat me kindly,” reinforcing the idea that Campus School is not separate from Smith, but an extension of the values the college holds.

Through classroom observations connected to her education coursework, Heaven also gained clarity about her future. Watching teachers work with students strengthened her confidence in pursuing education as a career and showed her what intentional, student-centered teaching can look like in practice.

Katia’s experience at Campus School spans much of her time at Smith, beginning in her sophomore year and continuing through her senior year. For her, the school quickly became “my home away from home.” What started as a job grew into a defining part of her Smith experience—one rooted in consistency, encouragement, and care.

“Campus School has taught me what a positive and encouraging work environment looks like,” Katia reflected. “For that, I am forever grateful.” As she prepares to graduate, she notes that the hardest part of leaving Smith is not just saying goodbye to friends or classes, but to the people at Campus School who “contributed immensely to my Smith experience.”

Together, these stories reflect the role Campus School plays in the life of the college. It is a place where Smith students learn alongside educators, build relationships across generations, and experience the college’s values in action. For those who work there, Campus School becomes a space where Smith feels more connected, more caring, and more whole.

For Isha, Heaven, and Katia, Campus School is not just part of their résumé—it is part of their Smith story.