#salemstate16

[lilith-of-stardust]

#graduation #OuttaHere #salemstate16

[salemstateuniversity]

I was most surprised by how much it felt like home

Emily Okraska

I was most surprised by how much it felt like home and how easy it was to meet people with similar interests as me. 

Salem State has given me the opportunity to explore Psychology, which allowed me to find my specific interest in Applied Behavior Analysis and Experimental Analysis of Behavior. Not only that but the faculty here have supported me every step of the way. 

I didn't expect to find a career path I'm really, truly passionate about at Salem State, but I did!

[salemstateuniversity]

I thank God for allowing me to meet phenomenal women on this campus

Lucy Kamau

What surprised you most at SSU?

They are two things that have surprised me at SSU. The first is the amazing friendships that I’ve made and second is the incredible mentorship I have received. Sisterhood is very important to me and I thank God for allowing me to meet phenomenal women on this campus. My salem state sisters have taught me to be brave, to speak against injustices, to cry without feeling apologetic, these women have held my hands through the darkest times here at the institution. These women have showed me loving my skin and my kinky natural hair is cool despite what society says. It made me realize ‘damn my friends are phenomenal’, because they are so phenomenal, I too am phenomenal and their light makes me shine. I’m also surprised about the help and mentorship that I’ve received from some higher administrators who I now call my mentors. My mentors ‘Ashleyne Alexis, Daphnee Georges, Rebecca Comage’ are three incredible women of color who I truly admire. These women have opened doors and encouraged me to push forward in times of adversity.

What opportunities has Salem State given you?

Through Salem State I was able to intern at St. John’s Prep in the multicultural office for my senior year. I attended the career service job fair back in september 2015, and through the job fair I was able to land an internship which I am grateful for. Salem State groups and clubs like multicultural student association and urban arts theatre have also given me the opportunity to be a leader on campus, the opportunity to write and direct a play (UAT 2015 play)and the opportunity to mentor other students. Another opportunity that Salem State has given me is the platform to advocate for black students on campus through the organization black brown and proud, which is a student movement, ran by students.

What I didn’t expect to do is write a play called L.I.F.E at Salem State, but I did.

[salemstateuniversity]

Salem has so much to offer and having it be so close to the school was really an experience.

Kaitlyn Noll

What surprised you most about Salem State?

I was mostly surprised about how much I liked the location about SSU. I really don't care much for the city but the campus was close enough to where it was a quick trip if I ever wanted to go into Boston but also far away enough where I don't suffer from the impossible traffic should I need to go somewhere. I also really love how close it is to the downtown and historical area. Salem has so much to offer and having it be so close to the school was really an experience, especially around Halloween.

What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of the level of teaching I have received. I know some professors who also teach at Harvard or other larger (expensive) school and they do an amazing job for less the cost. Salem State has done a great job with hiring professionals who care about us and do their job well to make sure we get the most of our education. I have the same degree and same knowledge as someone who pays twice as much as I do.

What opportunities has Salem State given you?

Salem State has given me the opportunity to develop my leadership qualities throughout my life here. There is no shortage of leadership roles and I tried to take advantage of as a student. I held roles on campus through Residence Life as a Resident Assistant, I branched into extra curriculars and was a part of the Spirit Squad, and now I am more involved with academics as the president of the Accounting Association. I have grown immensely because of these opportunities and am forever grateful. 

[salemstateuniversity]

Salem State provided opportunities to GROW in as many groups, clubs, or organizations I could get my hands on.

Bri-Ana Johnson

What surprised you most at SSU?

“Having such a strong community within SSU that is looking to make movements, and not just moments! There's always work to be done, but there is a sense of "home" and "family" throughout this college experience. I've been surrounded by so many young, thriving men and women who will become aspiring future lawyers, doctors, nurses, social workers, chemists, biologist, musicians, and many more that will CHANGE the world. Seeing all of my peers, who have also been great leaders in our community, have truly impacted my outlook on the future and where I would like to stand in this world.”

What are you most proud of?

“I am most proud to meet the many people that I have throughout my experience. Whether that was in residence life, diversity and multicultural affairs, student advocacy, center for academic excellence, on the Women's basketball team, in urban arts theater, or in the chemistry and biology societies. Many of whom, that have positively impacted my journey in being a young woman of color in America.”

What opportunities has Salem State given you?

“Salem State provided opportunities to GROW in as many groups, clubs, or organizations I could get my hands on. Here, I was able to gather who I was before, who I am, and who I want to be in the future to my family, friends, colleagues, and to the many other people I meet on my next journey. Experiences that I will never forget!”

“There's nothing I didn't expect, and there's nothing I ever doubted while being at Salem State. The people that I've met at Salem State provided me with guidance and tools that I needed to be the woman I am today and moving forward. I knew it was all a matter of time!”

[salemstateuniversity]

At Salem State the University does not see me as a number but as an individual that is making a difference on this campus.

Virginia Lyons

“What surprised you most at SSU?

“I am most surprised by how open and accessible many of the faculty and staff are. I am so happy that I can go to a variety of people on campus especially the Center for Academic Excellence as well as the Diversity and Multicultural Affairs office. These two offices are always extremely helpful and encourage me to be the best that I can be.”

What are you most proud of?

“I am most proud of all the groups and clubs that I have joined and started at Salem State University. I am one of the founders of the ALPFA Salem State Chapter, which is an organization that helps students and professionals connect and helps students leverage job and internship opportunities. Joining this organization has helped me develop my leadership skills and my goals for my life. Only being on the campus for two years, we have created successful programs such as the dress for success/etiquette dinner and our resume critique event. I am so proud to be the president of this organization and cant wait to see what ALPFA Salem State is going to do next.”

What opportunities has Salem State given you?

“Salem State has given me the opportunities to really connect with all my professors because of the small class setting. At Salem State you are not a number but an individual that is making a difference on this campus”

“I didn’t expect to do a peaceful march about increasing the diversity among faculty and staff and the curriculum at Salem State, but I did.”

[salemstateuniversity]

This whole campus is sort of a judgment-free zone where I think everyone can feel comfortable to be themselves.

Jillian Korotsky

What surprised you most at SSU?

“The awesome staff! I literally would not have made it through these past 4 years without all of the help and support from the amazing professors I’ve had here at SSU. They definitely go the extra mile in ensuring that they build not only professional but also personal relationships with their students. I can honestly say that every professor I have had here always had my well-being in mind and wanted to see me succeed.”

What are you most proud of?

“Making deans list my past two semesters. In high school I struggled and never got very good grades. I rarely even made the honor roll then, so making dean’s list and having a GPA so much higher than in high school feels so rewarding. I never would’ve imagined seeing myself excel the way that I have here.”

I didn’t expect to do graphic design at Salem State, but I did.

“I came to SSU wanting to be a journalist. But as I spent more time here and practiced different things in the classroom, I learned of my love for graphic design. This never would’ve happened if I were not exposed to the Adobe programs in the classroom.”

[salemstateuniversity]

SSU finds value in submerging its students directly into their field and allowing us to learn through service work.

Briana Scata

“I was surprised that SSU felt so much like one community, working together to achieve a common goal. Salem State cares about the success of their students and every member of the faculty/staff helps this goal become a possibility

I am most proud of my achievements as being part of the community service group at SSU. I feel as though I have really made a difference in the immediate and extended community through working as a leader of this group.

Salem State gave me the opportunities to experience my major through real life experiences. It is not just about the books and lectures I have attended. SSU finds value in submerging its students directly into their field and allowing us to learn through service work.

I didn’t expect to travel to Missouri and Louisiana to work on homes for low-income families while at Salem State, but I did!”