Optimism Is a Superpower
Cimani Smith '28 poses under the Dickinson College arch. She enjoys her role as a tour guide so much last spring that she opted to continue to work in that role during the summer.
Student Snapshot: Cimani Smith '28
Coming to Dickinson from a large high school in Philadelphia, Cimani Smith ’28 was excited by the challenge of adjusting to a new place and a different environment. A Health Psychology class helped her cultivate a brand-new mindset as well—one that increased her happiness and her sense of purpose. As a Dickinson tour guide, she shares what she’s learned so far—and some of her best restaurant recommends—with visiting students and their families, and she enjoys playing a part in helping them decide if Dickinson is the right college for them.
Hometown:
Philadelphia, Pa.
Major:
Psychology, with a minor in Spanish.
Clubs and organizations:
Alpha Lambda Delta, Afro-Diasporic Cultural Collective, Black Girl Chronicles and Liberty Cap Society (tour guides).
Honors/scholarships/awards:
Dean’s List and the Samuel G. Rose ’58 Scholarship.
On choosing Dickinson:
Coming from a large city and a high school the size of this college, I wanted something completely different. I was looking for a school with a smaller, close-knit community that also had activities happening every night. I also wanted the campus I chose to be green, so that I could have a picnic with friends or study on the grass.
Favorite Dining Hall food:
The jalapeno cheese pretzels from Union Station! They're the best late-night snack when studying.
Favorite class so far:
In Health Psychology, taught by Adjunct Faculty in Psychology Supriya Dixit, we learned how much of a difference a person’s view of a situation (their appraisal) has on their stress levels. Because of this class, I have made it my mission to cognitively reconstruct how I view setbacks—to see them as learning opportunities that ultimately bring me to my end goal. I now have a more optimistic view of life, and my happiness and work ethic have improved significantly.
Favorite off-campus spot:
Helena's Creperie and Issei Noodles are my go-to's!
On being a tour guide:
Helping other students decide if Dickinson is a good fit for them is so rewarding. Because of how much I enjoyed being a tour guide during the school year, I decided to spend a majority of the summer working with admissions. I'm even spending my birthday here!
Most important thing I’ve learned so far:
Mindset is everything. If you don't think you can accomplish something, you probably never will.
Advice for younger students:
Try everything. College is a time to find what you enjoy and what makes you happy. That is almost impossible if you stay confined to your comfort zone. To grow, sometimes you need to place yourself in uncomfortable situations.
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Published July 21, 2025