Pronouns: She/Her
Major: Social work
Minor: Spanish
Hometown: Salem, Massachusetts
What made you choose Salem State?
I chose Salem State because its social work program and faculty really stood out to me. I wanted to go to college at a place where the values mirrored my own, and Salem State University does exactly that. Salem State’s commitment to civic engagement and social justice proved to me that its social work program would be perfect for me because, as a social work major, those are some of my core values. I value access to resources and services as well, and Salem State offers an abundance of resources for students in need of support.
What are three words you would use to describe the Viking community? Why?
Open, welcoming and supportive. I chose these words because as soon as I stepped onto campus, everyone I met was super open to meeting new people and making new connections. I never once felt the shyness I used to have before college because Salem State made great efforts to help people get to know each other and make friends. The faculty and services on campus are very communicative and supportive, and whenever I have had an issue, they’ve been quick to address it and fully support me.
What is one thing you think a prospective student should know about Salem State?
I think a prospective student should know they should not be afraid to reach out to the support and services Salem State offers. It can be scary to reach out for help sometimes, but coming to college is a large, drastic change for many people. That is why I emphasize the importance of using as many resources and services as you need to be as successful as possible.
What have you done at Salem State that you are most proud of?
Before coming to Salem State, I struggled academically, particularly with attending classes. I am proud to say that I am a student who now receives As and Bs, and I am very proud of this achievement.
How would you describe the professors at Salem State?
The professors at Salem State are understanding, communicative and supportive. I have found that as long as you keep open communication with professors and reach out when you need support, you will have no issues. Our professors are super understanding when it comes to external issues or struggles within the classroom. Professors offer office hours and one-on-one meetings to students who need extra help, and they provide their email addresses so students can reach out with any questions or concerns. I find this super helpful as someone who needs a lot of clarification.
What has been your favorite class to take?
My favorite class at Salem State so far was my Social Work: Privilege and Oppression class. This class taught me a lot about myself and enhanced my worldview. I feel as though I came out of the class a different person, with a new outlook on life, society and people, and with a new sense of urgency to strive for societal change and social justice.
What is your favorite place on campus?
My favorite place on campus is Berry Library. I find it hard to study in my dorm sometimes, so knowing the library is open and available to me helps me get my work done and stay on top of other tasks I may have. It gives me more motivation to complete my work, whether it be schoolwork, work for my on-campus job or other paperwork I must complete.
What is your favorite memory at Salem State?
My favorite memory at Salem State University is meeting my friend group and my girlfriend. I have made so many beautiful, amazing connections just by attending this school, and I am sure these connections will last a lifetime. I am so grateful for all of the extraordinary people I have gotten the chance to get to know and become close to. All of the memories I make with these people are ones I will cherish.
Do you live in a residence hall or commute? What has been your favorite part about living on campus or commuting?
I live in a residence hall on campus. My favorite part about living on campus is how easy it is to make friends. In my first week here, I made all the friends I still have today. Living on campus opened me up more and made me less anxious to talk to people. I feel more confident in my ability to meet others and get to know people.
How do you feel Salem State has helped you get career-ready?
I feel Salem State has helped me get career-ready with the classes I have taken. My professors lecture on basic topics and concepts, but they also go into detail on how what we are learning will be applied in our real-world jobs. An example of this is the Social Work Professionalism class I took, where we learned basic professionalism topics and analyzed hypothetical scenarios we may face in the workforce, and had to figure out how we would handle them in the real world.