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“I didn’t get to have a traditional orientation,” said Lorraine Sanchez ’25, an early education and care major with a concentration in early intervention and a minor in Spanish. “Mine was completely online during the pandemic, so being part of orientation now means I get to give others the in-person experience I never had.”
Sanchez’s path to Salem State began in 2020, when she was applying for colleges close to home. “Salem State was the first school that accepted me, and it was the only campus I toured with my mom and godmother before everything shut down,” she said. “That made it all the more special.”
Once on campus, Sanchez started a work-study position with career services, which at the time shared space with orientation. Working alongside staff, she noticed how the orientation team connected with new students and families. “I loved the atmosphere and how they made people feel welcome,” she said. “Eventually, they asked me to join the team, and that’s where everything clicked.”
Creating Comfort and Confidence for New Vikings
What began as a summer job soon became one of Sanchez’s most meaningful experiences. With her bilingual background, she often interprets for Spanish-speaking families and supporters during orientation, helping them feel included and informed. “It means a lot to help people feel comfortable,” she said. “They want to know their student will be supported, and I’m there to show them that they will be.”
She recalls one orientation session when she stayed with a family member who needed a little extra help feeling comfortable on campus. “I just wanted them to feel cared for and included,” she said. “At the end, they gave me a hug and thanked me. It reminded me how much it means to make everyone feel like they belong at Salem State.”
Sanchez values the balance between welcoming new students and supporting those who accompany them. “Orientation helps everyone feel that they made the right decision,” she said. “Seeing students and their families and supporters leave with confidence makes the experience that much more rewarding.”
The Power of Campus Connection
Sanchez’s work in orientation, career services and student government eventually opened the door to her joining the Program Council. The Program Council is a student-run organization that plays a key role in organizing and hosting major campus events for the entire Salem State community. “These offices have become my home away from home,” she said. “Everyone is supportive, and it’s easy to connect with anyone here.”
She often sees students she first met at orientation now preparing to graduate. “It’s amazing to see how far they’ve come,” she said. “Orientation gives students a strong start and helps them plant roots that keep them here.”
Sanchez encourages new students to seek out those same opportunities. “Go to the Student Involvement Fair, join clubs, talk to people,” she said. “That’s how you find your community and make the most of your time here.”
Her commitment and leadership as a student have been recognized through several scholarships, including the Helen Gannon Farmer ’52, ’77G Scholarship, the Ruth P. Spinale Scholarship and the Hazel Mosse ’35 Memorial Scholarship Award. “Receiving these scholarships showed me that people who don’t even know me personally believe in my potential,” she said. “It motivates me to keep doing my best.”
Sanchez hopes to continue supporting others through a career in early intervention. “Salem State has given me confidence, community and purpose,” she said. “Now I want to share that with others.”