President's Executive Council
Sean Bennett, Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion
Sean Bennett, EdD, arrived at Salem State University in 2020 to lead the university’s strategic diversity and inclusion priorities, working collaboratively with stakeholders throughout campus to develop, implement and embed inclusive excellence in all university endeavors. He entered with more than 20 years of leadership experience across Higher Education and K-12 environments. Prior to joining Salem State, Bennett has served as assistant dean for academic operations and student success, director of the multicultural center for academic success, and associate vice president for institutional diversity Initiatives and pipeline programs. Across positions, Bennett has been charged with demonstrating leadership and innovation on projects impacting university administration, faculty, staff, and students. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Clarkson University and masters of education degrees from both the State University of New York at Brockport and Harvard University. Bennett completed a doctorate in higher education management at the University of Pennsylvania and most recently worked at the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY.
Nate Bryant, Vice President of Student Success
Nate Bryant, EdD, joined Salem State in 1987 and today brings his 30 years of leadership at the university to his role as vice president of student success. In his current role, Bryant oversees the areas of marketing and communications, student life, enrollment management, and the Center for Academic Excellence. He has previously held the positions of chief of staff, assistant dean of the Center for Academic Excellence, assistant dean of students for the student life office, and director of undergraduate admissions. He served as the interim president of North Shore Community College in 2021. Bryant received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Salem State, his master’s in education from Salem State, and his doctorate in higher education from the University of Massachusetts – Boston. A resident of Salem, he has served his community in various capacities, including the Salem School Committee.
Chunju Chen, Executive Director for Strategic Planning and Decision Support
Chunju Chen, PhD joined the Salem State University community in 2016. Chen has 15 years of experience as executive director of institutional research at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She subsequently served as assistant provost of institutional research, planning and assessment at Northern Michigan University. Chen has extensive experience working across divisions to provide a full range of institutional research functions and strategic planning support to promote a climate of data-driven decision-making. Chen holds a PhD and a master of arts in vocational and technical education from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, and a bachelor of arts in foreign languages for science and technology from China University of Geosciences.
Rita Colucci, Vice President and General Counsel
Rita Colucci, Esq., joined Salem State in December 2017, as the university’s general counsel. In her role, she also oversees human resources and equal opportunity, and information technology services. Her 10 years of experience in public higher education include roles as general counsel, chief of staff and board secretary, while also overseeing marketing and communications, public safety and human resources. Prior to joining the world of higher education, Colucci worked as a labor attorney and human resources director for several state agencies. Colucci holds a JD from New England/Boston and bachelor's of science in political science from Southern Connecticut State University.
Corey Cronin, Assistant Vice President, Marketing and Communications
Corey Cronin joined Salem State in 2008 and serves as the university’s chief marketing officer and storyteller. He leads the development and execution of comprehensive proactive marketing efforts that define and defend the brand identity of Salem State, ensuring that all campus initiatives are aligned. With nearly 35 years of outreach experience, Cronin has built audiences for several academic institutions and museums such as Harvard University, Buckingham Browne & Nichols School, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum. He holds a bachelor of science degree in accounting and finance and a master of arts in communication. Cronin oversees strategies that support campus-wide recruitment, retention, image, development goals, and overall positioning of the university. He also leads public relations and internal messaging efforts, along with digital marketing initiatives including the university's website and social media.
Cheryl Crounse, Vice President of Advancement
With 23 years of fundraising experience, Cheryl Crounse has worked in increasing roles and responsibilities within advancement since she arrived in 2011. Each role has prepared her for her role as vice president of advancement and executive director of the Salem State University Foundation, Inc., where Crounse is responsible for developing and advancing fundraising strategy through alumni relations, annual giving, advancement services, campaign strategies, events, major and planned gifts, and communications as well as overseeing the administration, programs and strategic plans for the Salem State University Foundation, Inc., and its 19-member governing board. Prior to joining Salem State, Crounse led various advancement efforts at Emerson College, Harvard Graduate School of Education and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. She received her business administration bachelor's degree from Oswego State University and is a proud first-generation college graduate.
Adria Duijvesteijn, Senior Director of External Relations
Bonnie Galinski, Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management
Bonnie Galinski, associate vice president of enrollment management, has been at Salem State since 2010 and is committed to paving pathways for student success. Galinski has worked in higher education for over 23 years, successfully leading teams in meeting enrollment and graduation goals at Salem State, Lesley University's Art Institute of Boston, Notre Dame College in New Hampshire, Newbury College and Boston University. She is a collaborative and strategic leader who is energized by the impact that education has on transforming individuals and communities. Galinski received her education masters in policy, planning and administration from Boston University, her bachelor of arts in communication arts at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh and studied at Laval University in Quebec City, Canada. She chaired and serves on the board of the ACE Women's Network of MA and co-leads the Women's Employee Resource Group at Salem State.
Karen House, Vice President for Finance and Facilities
Karen House joined Salem State University in 2014 and is responsible for the development of the institution’s annual budget and the multi-year financial plan, including the allocation of fiscal resources in support of the university’s academic and administrative programs; and for overall fiscal accountability. She also oversees capital planning and facilities. A graduate of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA, she holds, in addition, a master’s degree in business administration and a graduate certificate from Plymouth State University in Plymouth, NH. House has extensive experience in the private sector as an accountant, internal auditor and management accountant. She began her career in academia at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, progressing to associate vice president for business affairs/comptroller before joining Keene State College in 2000.
Lynne Montague, Special Assistant to the President
Lynne Montague is a Suffolk University graduate, and long-time Salem resident with over 13 years of government experience. Prior to joining the university, she served as deputy legislative director for the Patrick Administration, chief of staff to State Representative John Keenan and executive secretary to the city of Salem Mayor.
David J. Silva, Provost and Academic Vice President
With over 15 years of administrative experience, Provost David Silva, PhD joined Salem State in March 2015. He has served in numerous capacities at the University of Texas at Arlington, including his role as founding department chair of the newly established department of linguistics. In 2007, he was appointed vice provost for academic affairs where he was responsible for a broad portfolio of academic initiatives, and then went on to become the university’s vice provost for faculty affairs. As a scholar of linguistics, Silva has an extensive research portfolio that focuses on phonetic variation and language change in Korean. He has also published and presented on issues germane to university-level teaching and assessment. His scholarly work has been funded by the Fulbright Program, the Korea Foundation, and the Academy of Korean Studies, among many others. Silva holds a bachelor of arts degree from Harvard University, a master of arts in linguistics degree and a doctor of philosophy degree in linguistics, both from Cornell University. His teaching career began at the University of Texas at Arlington, where he became a full professor of linguistics.