Minute with a Muskie

Muriel Smith Black
Class of '13
Muriel Smith Black

I've been the Prevention Coordinator at Open Arms Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services for almost a year now. As Prevention Coordinator, my goal is to raise awareness in the community and prevent domestic violence and sexual assault. I develop programs and speak with students, kindergarten through college, on topics such as healthy relationships, abuse, and personal safety. I'm also a part of a couple university teams to combat campus violence by creating awareness through social media, campaigns, and big events. I've recently created some adult programming used at a local rescue mission and a workplace program, which is brand new for the agency. I'm able to work with all ages of people from many different backgrounds which makes every day a new experience.

My Child and Family Studies background has helped me to work with such a diverse group of people on complicated and sensitive topics, and my History major has given me the skills to deeply research these topics and to be able to explain them to others.


This post was originally published on February 4, 2013.

Muriel Smith, a senior from Lima, Ohio, is double-majoring in History and Child and Family Studies, with a double minor in Political Science and Sociology. She chose Muskingum because of the beautiful scenery, small-town feel, friendliness of students during her visits, and the promise of small class sizes that would allow her to get to know her professors.

Smith stays busy as a Head Resident Assistant (HRA) in Memorial Hall, a member of the Board of Trustees Student Committee, member of two academic honoraries, and Treasurer and Vice President of College Republicans. She also attends Chapel services. Smith says, “I never imagined that college would be so rewarding and that I would grow so much. I fully believe that my experiences at Muskingum have fostered this growth.”

Smith has had numerous unique experiences as a Muskingum student: Helping to create Muskingum’s 175th Anniversary Exhibit, and presenting the exhibit to the Board of Trustees; working as HRA; and serving as student editor of a faculty member’s social gerontology textbook, and writing one of the modules within the text, among others.

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