Noelle Smith, a master’s student in the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) program at Columbia University School of Professional Studies (SPS), is pursuing opportunities at the intersection of entrepreneurship, advocacy, and law. Serving as treasurer for both the School of Professional Studies Student Government (SPSSG) and the SPS Black Student Guild, Smith blends her passion for business, finance, and community service.
Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she was drawn to Columbia’s ERM program after attending a webinar hosted by the program. “I liked the versatility of what learning to manage risk offers, especially in the context of business,” Smith said. Her coursework has deepened her understanding of risk assessment and mitigation.
“Risk is one of those subjects that can be very difficult to think about objectively because naturally, our judgment will tend to have bias,” she explained. “It’s nice that from the ERM program, I have learned very objective ways to approach, analyze, and strategize the mitigation of risk.”
Smith’s experience outside of the classroom includes an internship as a paralegal at Leech Tishman law firm, where she assists with litigation and corporate matters. She credits her colleague Geoffery Scott for guiding her through her internship. “I am learning so much about the legal system through this experience,” she said. She is preparing to attend law school in the fall of 2025.
She is also a dedicated entrepreneur and launched a home decor business in November 2023. Raydin, the name of her business, means “rayed in,” as in, “bringing a ray of sunshine into your home environment.” Smith built up her business while pursuing her undergraduate degree.
Smith’s leadership extends to SPSSG, where she currently serves as treasurer. “SPSSG is an extension of my service to the students of the community I am part of,” she noted. For those interested in student government, Smith emphasizes preparation and confidence: “Learn as much as possible about the role you are running for and be okay with putting yourself out there.”
As she nears the end of her journey at SPS, Smith remains committed to making an impact in the various fields she is a part of—whether through risk management, law, entrepreneurship, or student leadership.
About SPS Student Government
The mission of the SPS Student Government (SPSSG) is to create a unified community for all students across SPS programs. The SPSSG is elected by their peers to represent each master's program as well as the student body at large and advocates for student interests before the SPS administration, faculty, alumni, and the greater Columbia University Community.
About the Program
The Master of Science in Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) program at Columbia University prepares graduates to inform better risk-reward decisions by providing a complete, robust, and integrated picture of both upside and downside volatility across an entire enterprise.
Fall 2025 application deadlines for the M.S. in Enterprise Risk Management program are March 15, 2025, for applicants with international documents, and May 1, 2025, for the final deadline. Learn more here.
