Parents and Student Volunteers

Parents and the Annual Fund

Many parents support their student by contributing to the annual fund, building resources on campus and strengthening our programs. Your gift has immediate impact and value. When contemplating your gift, it is not the amount you give, but your participation that matters. Please make a gift that is meaningful to you. Give it to U!

About the Parents Council

The Salem State Parent Council is designed to engage parents in the Salem State community through enhanced communication and meaningful opportunities for parents. The council serves as a forum for parents to communicate ideas and questions to the university. University administrators utilize council members as a sounding board for planning family activities. All parents of Salem State undergraduate students are members of the Parent Council.

Council Networking

The council is a networking and support group for Salem State parents and is involved with many family activities during the year:

Friends and Families Weekend
Winter Family Day
Spring Family Day

You can also volunteer as a parent ambassador at the following events:

First Year Orientation
Move-in Day
Accepted Students Day

The Parent Council meets monthly during the academic year. If you are interested in learning more about the parent council email Wendy Davison or Bruce Perry.

Parent Communication

Find out more about life at SSU and connect with others at the Parents Facebook page.

Student Philanthropy Council and Ambassadors

The Student Philanthropy Council (SPC) is a group of student volunteers committed to educating classmates about the importance and impact of donor generosity. The council seeks to promote a culture of gratitude and to provide students the opportunity to give back to the Salem State community.

Gifts received from students can be designated to a particular department, club or program directed by the student. Students can also let Salem State President John Keenan allocate their gifts to current priorities.

Stop by one of the Student Philanthropy Council (SPC) tables and make a donation. SPC giving tables are scheduled throughout the semester. Dates and locations are posted regularly on our Facebook page.

In addition to the general student outreach, the SPC also has two working subcommittees–the Student Philanthropy Council Ambassadors and the Senior Class Gift Committee.

2019-2020 Student Philanthropy Council Ambassadors

SPC ambassadors are students that possess strong leadership, public speaking, and interpersonal skills. They serve as the student voice at university advancement events by interacting with a variety of university constituents, including alumni, friends, trustees, donors, and university administrators.

2019-2020 Student Philanthropy Council Ambassadors Current Members:

Kenny Brown '20 is the president of the Student Philanthropy Council and a business major with a concentration in management and a minor in French. With previous organizations, Kenny has been no stranger to philanthropy. He has been participating in philanthropy since he was young. Kenny has strong ties and connections with his business professors and French teachers. In the summer of 2019, Kenny took the opportunity to study abroad in Quebec learning French and Quebec culture. As a senior Kenny is looking to make his year here at Salem State his best. He hopes to help spread the Salem State culture and inform new students about the many opportunities that Salem State has to offer.

Kailey D'Alessandro '20 is the Vice President of the Student Philanthropy Council and a Psychology major with a double minor in Criminal Justice and Human Biology. Kailey is a transfer student who has not stopped giving back since she transferred last year beginning with the First Year Day of Service. She also went to Puerto Rico last Spring Break to help rebuild houses after Hurricane Maria with InterVaristy at Salem State. As a Senior Kailey is planning on spreading as much Viking Pride as she can, letting other students know the great opportunities that Salem State can offer whatever your interests may be.

Jona Lee ’19 is a second semester senior at Salem State University, studying psychology and biology. She transferred in as a junior, and quickly felt a sense of belonging. The Salem State community is accessible and welcoming, and Jona has thrived even as a transfer and commuter student. She is grateful that the professors are dedicated to teaching and mentoring their students. Jona is currently working at an internship that she found through Salem State, and is excited to see where her career path leads after graduation.

Jonathan Resnic ’20 is a social work student and a member of the Alpha Lamda Delta honor society. Philanthropy has been his life's blood for as long as he can remember. From the time Jonathan was a small child his grandparents hosted as they called it “New Americans” into their home. His mother started an outreach group at their temple to care for the sick, elderly and the lonely. Jonathan can recall cooking meals, delivering them and spending time with those in need. In high school, he joined a community service organization that served people with disabilities, the homeless and people with food insecurities. Today, he uses all his knowledge and past experiences to be a proud Philanthropy Ambassador as well as a current board member of the Salem State University Community Service Initiative.

The Senior Class Gift Committee (SCGC) raises funds for a scholarship to be awarded to an incoming first-year student the following year. The SCGC is responsible for publicizing the senior class gift campaign and co-sponsoring events with the Young Alumni Society, to introduce seniors to the Alumni Association and facilitate their alumni involvement.

Interested students can get involved as a member of the Student Philanthropy Council, the Senior Class Gift Committee, and/or the Student Philanthropy Council Ambassador Program.

Donate to the Senior Class Gift

Contact Us

Erica Bourbeau
Staff Assistant, Annual Giving
Institutional Advancement
978.542.2264

Parents and Families