Robin Berkowitz-Smith's 38-Year Career of Compassion at Syracuse University
Robin Berkowitz-Smith, a beloved figure at Syracuse University, has announced her retirement after a remarkable 38-year career. Her tenure at the university was marked by near-four decades of dedicated service, a strong focus on student mentorship, and a lasting positive impact on the community.
Berkowitz-Smith began her journey at Syracuse University in 1980 as a resident advisor in Sadler Hall and in Food Services. She returned to the university in 1988, this time as a newlywed and a professional, and quickly climbed the ranks in residence life, becoming a coordinator, assistant director, and associate director. In 2018, she transitioned to the academic side of the university, working as an academic advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Throughout her career, Berkowitz-Smith was known for her care and support of students, helping them navigate roommate issues and personal struggles. Her love for students played a major role in ensuring that honors students had meaningful experiences, and she even taught the honors sophomore seminar. In addition, she showed great care for her colleagues, as evidenced by her actions and words.
Berkowitz-Smith's impact on students and staff was profound. Every year on opening weekend, she would walk every floor of every residence hall to ensure a welcoming environment. She was also involved in her students' social and leadership development, launching programs like Orange After Dark. Her guidance has been instrumental for the growth of students, and her daughters, Brianna '13 and Alea '14, G'15, were greatly impacted by her tenure at Syracuse University.
A 30-minute video filled with messages of gratitude was compiled for Berkowitz-Smith's retirement. The words that came up the most in the video were "caring", "supportive", and "mentor". Her retirement doesn't mean slowing down, as she has plans to travel, return to ceramics, and spend more time in her garden.
Berkowitz-Smith served as a residence director in Flint Hall and oversaw all of the residence halls on North Campus, which housed more than 5,000 students at the time. She also joined the Reneé Crown University Honors Program, where she made a significant impact.
Although detailed specifics about her exact roles or initiatives are not widely available, the consistent emphasis on mentorship and care indicates that Berkowitz-Smith was a highly valued member of the Syracuse University community who left a lasting positive legacy. Her retirement marks the end of an era, but her impact will continue to be felt for years to come.
Berkowitz-Smith's dedication to student support extended beyond personal struggles and included fostering social and leadership development, as seen in her creation of programs such as Orange After Dark. Her role in the Reneé Crown University Honors Program showcased her commitment to education-and-self-development, providing meaningful experiences for honors students. As she moves forward to her retirement, Robin Berkowitz-Smith also demonstrates a commitment to personal-growth, planning to travel, return to ceramics, and spend more time in her garden.
