Ella Smoker '28

Biography

Ella Smoker ’28 is majoring in Finance and Economics with a minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Originally from the South Bend area, she has found a home in Farley Hall, where she works at Café Far Far, the hall’s milkshake shop, and helps strengthen the community through the Signature Events Committee. Outside of her dorm, she works as a teaching assistant for business and economics courses and serves on Class Council, opportunities that have helped her grow as both a leader and communicator. Ella’s commitment to service extends beyond campus in her role as an Advising Fellow with the Matriculate program, where she guides three high school seniors through the college admissions process. This experience has deepened her belief in education as a transformative force and strengthened her commitment to expanding opportunity for others.

In summer 2025, Ella studied abroad in Panama, where her coursework on Migration and Sustainability pushed her to think critically about the impact of the country on the world and the role of economics in shaping communities. She also interned at a boat manufacturer, gaining firsthand experience with supply chain management in an industry closely tied to her hometown. Later that summer, she became a campus tour guide, a role she continues throughout the school year, sharing her experiences with prospective students and their families. Additionally, through involvement in the Student International Business Council and Innovation for Impact, Ella is learning to apply business knowledge to real-world challenges while exploring new ways of thinking. The Sheedy Family Program challenges her to connect her academic and extracurricular work with deeper questions of meaning and purpose, and consider the kind of life she wants to build as she prepares for a career in finance.