Salem State University Viking Voices

SSU Viking Voices Podcast: Alumni Stories – Keith Knight, Gentleman Cartoonist

2019-05-01T03:53:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the latest edition of Salem State University Viking Voices where we highlight many of the great things going on at this exciting institution and among the alumni community.

Keith Knight,
Gentleman Cartoonist

This episode features our special guest Keith Knight who after graduation from Salem State College in 1990 has gone on to become an award-winning cartoonist whose topical and biographical work has brought national acclaim and numerous awards.

Today Keith has three nationally syndicated comics. He is the author of over a dozen books. His views on race, expressed in his work have led to recognition by the NAACP as a 2015 History Maker. CNN placed Keith along with other notable voices including Joseph Lowery, civil rights activist, and Henry Louis Gates, scholar, writer, cultural critic to give America an Equality Report Card.

Have a listen below as Keith describes his time at Salem State, gives us insight into his work and tells of his new project, an autobiographical television pilot in development for the streaming service, Hulu.

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You can also subscribe in iTunes or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Links:

End notes:

I am looking forward to our next conversation.You can join in the conversation by following this blog and checking out the many social media outlets available to our Salem State community. A short list of some of these venues are below.

Go Vikings!

Join in on the conversation:

Salem State Alumni Network on LinkedIn;
SalemState University Alumni Association - Facebook;
Salem State Alumni (@SalemStateAlum) - Twitter.

Here are some of the places you may find me on social media:

SSU Viking Voices Podcast: Campus Resources – Susan Edwards, Chief Archivist at Salem State University

2019-01-13T12:07:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the latest edition of Salem State University Viking Voices where we highlight many of the great things going on at this exciting institution and among the alumni community.

Susan Edwards
Archivist at Salem State University

This episode features our special guest Susan Edwards who since 1996 has been creating positive change and has become a touchstone to generations of Salem State students, faculty, staff and alumni.

Today as Chief Archivist and Special Collections Librarian, Ms. Edwards is caretaker of a vast trove of the University’s most prized intellectual assets.

Our interview was recorded at the Frederick E. Berry Library and Learning Commons. From the library's home page: "Built in 2014, the learning commons is a blend of a modern library and vibrant student center ... The library includes over 1,000 seats in a variety of styles; over 150 computer workstations; 12 reservable group study rooms; and access to over 300 databases that include thousands of scholarly articles and resources."

The archives are located on the lower-level ground floor. The website describes:

"Salem State University’s Archives & Special Collections preserves and provides access to materials that are rare, unique, or historical. The collections are housed in a 5,000 sq ft secure, climate-controlled facility on the ground floor of Berry Library.

The collection includes the historical records of the university (1854-present) as well as thousands of books, documents, manuscripts, maps, photographs, videos, artifacts, and ephemera. These materials are housed in the climate-controlled, secure environment of the library because of their rarity, or because of their importance as part of a special collection, or both.

While these collections must be treated with special care, Materials may be viewed by Salem State faculty, staff, students as well as outside scholars, public historians, genealogists, and other researchers. Use of these collections is strongly encouraged and visitors to Archives & Special Collections are always welcome to make use of the collections."

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Links:

End notes:

Go Vikings!

Join in on the conversation:

Salem State Alumni Network on LinkedIn;
SalemState University Alumni Association - Facebook;
Salem State Alumni (@SalemStateAlum) - Twitter.

Here are some of the places you may find me on social media:

SSU Viking Voices Podcast: Campus Events – Jon von Tetzchner, Founder of Opera Software and Vivaldi Technologies

2018-12-20T21:03:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the latest edition of Salem State University Viking Voices where we highlight many of the great things going on at this exciting institution and among the alumni community.

Jon von Tetzchner,
Founder of Opera Software and Vivaldi Technologies

This special edition features an event recorded live Tuesday December 4, 2018 at the Petrowski Room, Marsh Hall.

Jon von Tetzchner, Founder of Opera Software and Vivaldi Technologies is interviewed by Professor Rob Brown of the Salem State media and communications department.

Julie Whitlow, Ph.D. Assistant Provost for the Global Engagement Center and for International Education performs the introduction.

Stick around after the proceedings to learn how you can be a part of the many exciting things going on today at Salem State and be a force in the expansion and continuation of the mission of the university.

View here:

Click here to listen or download to an audio version of our conversation.

Play Now

You can also subscribe in iTunes or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Links:

End notes:

Go Vikings!

Join in on the conversation:

Salem State Alumni Network on LinkedIn;
SalemState University Alumni Association - Facebook;
Salem State Alumni (@SalemStateAlum) - Twitter.

Here are some of the places you may find me on social media:

SSU Viking Voices Podcast: Alumni Stories – Helen Gifford and the Events of the 1969-70 Academic Year

2018-12-18T04:48:00.002-05:00

Welcome to the latest edition of Salem State University Viking Voices where we highlight a sampling of the many great things going on at this exciting institution and among the alumni community.

Helen Gifford
(formerly
Helen Auchterlonie)
Class of 1970

Our special guest of this episode features is Helen Gifford, a 1970 graduate of Salem State with a Bachelor of Arts in English.

Professionally, Helen Gifford (formerly Helen Auchterlonie) has taken her journalism skills honed over many years to create a long career at the Salem News.

Ms. Gifford has appeared on CSPAN as part of a panel moderating the October 10, 2012 Massachusetts Sixth District Congressional Debate.

Synopsis:
It was the penultimate year of a seminal decade in American history. In the previous period, three beacons of hope had been gunned down. A generation of young Americas had been shattered by the Vietnam War. Unrest that still echoes across today’s culture and politics roiled the country and world.

The Salem State community was not immune. Among notable incidents on campus that year, one would gain national attention and played a role in the resignation of leader who today is an iconic name on campus. Our guest, Helen Gifford was a participant and first-hand witness.

View here:

Play or download the audio version (See image below on how you can also download from the player page)

You can also subscribe in iTunes or in most places you get your podcasts.

Links:

New York Times
Wednesday, December 3, 1969

End notes:

Go Vikings!

Join in on the conversation:

Salem State Alumni Network on LinkedIn;
SalemState University Alumni Association - Facebook;
Salem State Alumni (@SalemStateAlum) - Twitter.

Here are some of the places you may find me on social media:

SSU Viking Voices Podcast: Interview with University President John D Keenan

2018-11-25T20:14:00.002-05:00

Welcome to the latest edition of Salem State University Viking Voices where we highlight many of the great things going on at this exciting institution and among the alumni community.

John D Keenan, JD
14th president of Salem State University

This episode features our special guest the 14th president of Salem State University, John D. Keenan.

Previously, President Keenan served as general counsel and vice president for administration at Salem State University. He was responsible for the university’s day-to-day operations in support of its academic mission, overseeing human resources and equal opportunity, capital planning and facilities, information technology, risk and asset management, and the university police.

Prior to becoming president of the university, Keenan has had a distinguished career in public service that has included representing the Seventh Essex District in the Massachusetts State Legislature from 2005 to 2014. Even then a strong advocate for Salem State, President Keenan was a leading proponent of gaining university status. He also leveraged his expertise to help fund the recently complete the Sophia Gordon Center for Creative and Performing Arts.

A champion of many social causes, President Keenan voted to preserve marriage equality, address schoolyard bullying, and protect transgendered employees in the work place. He is a resident of Salem along with his wife, Kara McLaughlin, and their two children, Aidan and Erin.

During the recording of this special edition of Salem State Viking Voices, the students of Mary Melilli, MFA, Professor, Media and Communication MCO 235 Multimedia Storytelling class documented the recording session. The recording was made in front of a live audience at Viking Hall the newest of the residence halls at Salem State. This state-of-the-art building is LEED Gold certified, for its energy efficiency and other sustainability features.

Here is a multimedia version of the podcast featuring photos and videos recorded by the students:

Click here to view on YouTube

Click here to listen or download to an audio version of our conversation.

Play Now (See image below on how you can also download from the player page)

You can also subscribe in iTunes or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Links:

End notes:

Go Vikings!

Join in on the conversation:

Salem State Alumni Network on LinkedIn;
SalemState University Alumni Association - Facebook;
Salem State Alumni (@SalemStateAlum) - Twitter.

Here are some of the places you may find me on social media:

Salem State College Class of 1989

2018-10-13T10:28:00.000-04:00

Can you believe is has been 30 years since the 1988/89 Salem State College academic year?
Want to reminisce, reconnect with the times and former classmates or just take a trip down Memory Lane?
If you graduated from Salem State College in 1989, you can apply for membership in this closed and moderated Facebook group. You will find a growing community and regular new posts of images, videos, recollections of events and more from the 1988/89 academic year.

Web: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SalemStateClassof89/

Salem State College Class of 1989

Facebook Group · 6 members

Join Group

Viking Voices Podcast: Alumni Success Stories - Mark Amirault

2018-09-19T04:30:00.000-04:00

In this edition of the Salem State University Viking Voices podcast we have a conversation with Mark Amirault a 1984 graduate of Salem State with a bachelor’s degree in accounting.

Mark Amirault

Mark is a principal at Dart World Incorporated. Founded in 1977 (originally Darts & Parts), Dart World quickly became “the place for players to shop, with people traveling as far as 100 miles away.” Today, “Dart World sells its product domestically and internationally and participates in major sporting goods trade shows.

The company’s 144 page catalog features a complete line of darts and accessories, poker and game room supplies, and offers the consumer quality product and exceptional service.”

As principal at the firm, Mark oversees the operations of Dart World. He has 17 employees, of which six are Salem State University graduates and two are current students.

Mark also volunteers with the Service Dog Project as a photographer. A non-profit charity located in Ipswich, Massachusetts the Service Dog Project trains great danes as service animals for people with balance issues and veterans with PTSD.

Listen or download our conversation.

Play Now (See image below on how you can also download from the player page)

You can also subscribe in iTunes or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Here's a preview of what you will hear:

Links:

Click here to see some of Mark's photos for the Service Dog Project
Click here to learn more about the Service Dog Project
Click here to learn more about Alumni and Friends of Salem State University
Click here to learn more about the Salem State Foundation

End notes:

Go Vikings!

Join in on the conversation:

Salem State Alumni Network on LinkedIn;
SalemState University Alumni Association - Facebook;
Salem State Alumni (@SalemStateAlum) - Twitter.

Here are some of the places you may find me on social media:

Salem State University, Viking Voices Podcast: 2018 First Year Day of Service: Moving Forward, Giving Back

2018-09-02T22:54:00.002-04:00

The latest edition of the Salem State University, Viking Voices Podcast presents audio recorded during the University’s third annual, 2018 First Year Day of Service: Moving Forward, Giving Back.

Sponsored by St. Jean's Credit Union and Salem Massachusetts Rotary Club, Moving Forward, Giving Back presented students who have a desire in engaging with their community … who wish to be change-makers, those who actively make a difference in the world, and who are excited to start their college experience, the opportunity to join 200 of their new classmates, the Salem State University Center for Civic Engagement, the First Year Experience Program, current students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community organizations for a day of service in the greater Salem Massachusetts area.

Those interested to learn more about 2018 First Year Day of Service: Moving Forward, Giving Back are encouraged to visit: https://www.salemstate.edu/calendar/2018-first-year-day-service-aug-30-2018

Listen or download our conversation.

Play Now (See image below on how to download from the player page)

You can subscribe in iTunes or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Select Outtakes:

.@SalemState University President John Keenan: “Civic engagement! A big piece of my wanting to become president was because … pic.twitter.com/hIr7tY363x
— Guy W Clinch (@gclinch) September 2, 2018

.@CityofSalemMA Mayor Kim Driscoll: “When I was a student here I was actively engaged in our local government and it led to an internship. Hey, look at me now! There’re certainly opportunities … pic.twitter.com/bi6dzTcyOO
— Guy W Clinch (@gclinch) September 2, 2018

Mathew Chetnik, director, @FYSuccess @SalemState University making an analogy to the stapler his grandmother gave him when he left for college: “I want you to think about the quality of work that you are going to do today. We could do a shoddy job today, or … pic.twitter.com/tobTi2gpj1
— Guy W Clinch (@gclinch) September 7, 2018

Resources:

Hashtag #SSUService

Go Vikings!

Join in on the conversation:

Salem State Alumni Network on LinkedIn;
SalemState University Alumni Association - Facebook;
Salem State Alumni (@SalemStateAlum) - Twitter.

Here are some of the places you may find me on social media:

Viking Voices Podcast: Salem State Global Day of Service

2016-05-11T22:36:00.000-04:00

In this edition of the Salem State University Viking Voices podcast we have a conversation about Salem State University Global Day of Service that celebrates and mobilizes the thousands of Salem State alumni, students, parents, employees and friends of Salem State who improve their community through service.

Mikki Wilson

Mikki Wilson and Sean Morrow join us to discuss the annual event, its history, and the plans for this year. We talk about specific events planned for the 2016 Global Day of Service which takes place on June 4. A number of opportunities for alumni to join together and give back to our communities are planned.

Those interested to learn more are encouraged to visit: http://www.salemstatereasons.com/global-day-of-service/

Listen to the conversation online or download an MP3 copy at the links below.

Sean Morrow

Play Now

or,
Download

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Resources:

Hashtag #SSUReasons

Go Vikings!

Join in on the conversation:

Salem State Alumni Network on LinkedIn;
SalemState University Alumni Association - Facebook;
Salem State Alumni (@SalemStateAlum) - Twitter.

Here are some of the places you may find me on social media:

Viking Voices: Salem State Students Help Veterans Podcast

2016-03-16T16:36:00.001-04:00

In our continuing conversations about the great things that are going on at Salem State University we've been meeting a number of individuals who are making a real difference for the campus community and beyond. A few weeks back I reminded us that President Meservey set out as one of the priorities for the University at her inauguration that, "It is our duty to ensure that students understand the importance of community involvement, and that they are well versed in the privileges and responsibilities that come with citizenship in a democratic republic."

In the audio podcast that you may listen to using the links below, we hear from a group of students and their faculty advocate who are an exemplar of the ideals that President Meservey is championing. What started as a class project has morphed into a campaign with multiple effective strategies that are helping to change people's perceptions of veterans.

Robert E. Brown, Ph.D.

Robert E. Brown, Ph.D. who is a professor in the Communications Department at Salem State University, and the project's mentor put the challenge succinctly when he said, "The conversation about veterans has been almost entirely negative, it has been about Veterans Affairs, suicide, PTSD, addiction, all these things that veterans have been challenged with." Although intended to bring light to injustice, Dr. Brown continues, "It has had the unintended consequence of distancing veterans and making them seem less employable, less valuable to the community, in fact worrisome, dangerous even ... This is the last thing that we want."

The student group accepted Professor Brown's encouragement and have entered the Bateman Case Study Competition which is sponsored by the Public Relations Society of America. With the intent of achieving a positive social goal, the Bateman Challenge is the, "premier national case study competition for public relations students," that gives students, "an opportunity to apply classroom education and internship experiences ... to research, plan, implement and evaluate a comprehensive public relations campaign."

For these Salem State University students the results are a set of activities that are changing perspectives, educating the students and their peers, helping veterans, and has caught the attention of media professionals. Professor Brown said that these students are changing the conversation. "As far as I know," Brown remarks, "these students are involved in the only campaign to raise awareness of veterans accomplishment."

The students have gained local notoriety from their efforts. They will attend a gala during the Public Relations Society of America Northeast District Conclave in June. Please set aside a few minutes of your time to listen to their story.

The group includes students:

Mark Casella

Gerald Fallon Jr.

Shannon Gallagher

Kristen Pustizzi

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Download

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Resources:

Communications Department Website

Thanks for checking out this week's Viking Voices. I hope you'll listen to the full audio podcast.

I am looking forward to our next conversation.You can join in the conversation by following this blog and checking out the many social media outlets available to our Salem State community. A short list of some of these venues are below.

Go Vikings!

Join in on the conversation:

Salem State Alumni Network on LinkedIn;
SalemState University Alumni Association - Facebook;
Salem State Alumni (@SalemStateAlum) - Twitter.

Here are some of the places you may find me on social media:

Viking Voices - Podcast: Student Advocacy - Chris Sullivan, director

2016-02-29T20:45:00.000-05:00

This edition of our Viking Voices conversations features an audio podcast interview with Chris Sullivan, director, student advocacy. According to the Salem State University website, "The student advocacy office is committed to providing information, support and advocacy to empower students to resolve concerns that may act as a barrier to retention, progression and graduation. In addition, the office, when needed, acts as a liaison between students and university personnel in a fair and impartial manner regarding students rights and university policies/regulations."

Chris Sullivan, director,
student advocacy

I first met Chris one Saturday afternoon during the intermission of a basketball game. She was at the O'Keefe Center, on her own time, catching up with a number of the students who have used student advocacy services. Chris is also always on the lookout for people who may need services of her office, but who for many reasons may hesitate to seek help.

For this conversation, Chris and I sat down in her austere office at the Ellison Campus Center that also serves as a food pantry. I hope that you will take a few minutes to listen to this compelling interview.

Play Now

or,
Download

or click below to subscribe in iTunes.

SYNOPSIS:

Guy:
I greeted Chris and asked her to describe the purpose of the Student Advocacy office.

Chris:
It became apparent through the dean of students and the president's office that we were seeing more students who were struggling and who needed more than just a moment of conversation. They needed to have someone that they could follow up with, that that person could follow up with them. Our students were dealing with some pretty significant issues that were impacting their ability to be successful at the institution.

Guy:
I asked about who is served by the office.

Chris:

It's really a mix. It can be students entering school as a traditional aged freshman where perhaps something is happening in the family. Perhaps they are coming out of foster care. This is a big transition when you don't have someone in your life you can count on.

We are also 50 percent transfer and we have number of students perhaps who were at a community college and now they at a four year school, a bigger school. We have non-traditional students who are older and coming back to school after having been out in the workforce. There's a wide range of challenges.

Our students are really remarkable. They are a very diverse group with all kinds of life experiences. Unfortunately, for some there is a challenge that can perhaps get in their way of moving forward.

Guy:
I asked Chris to describe some of the resources that are available.

Chris:
The office ranges from perhaps a student who doesn't know where to go to solve a problem, or perhaps they have tried to solve a problem on their own. On the far end, we have students who are struggling with homelessness, they may not be quite sure where they will be sleeping that night.

There are students who are hungry and making choices between food, lodging and books. It's a real mix.

It could be a life experience that happens in the family. Perhaps for the student there is a major accident or illness.

I work with students to see, can this situation be salvageable or do we need to think about a leave? What are the students options and help them so that they can make an informed decision.

Guy:
I know that our alumni community has helped.

Chris:

A year after staring this positon it became apparent to me that students were hungry. That wasn't why they came to the office initially, but it came up in the conversation. As a result I started a food pantry. It's all donation based and alumni have been incredibly generous both with food raising and this past holiday season there was an initiative related to gift cards.

It was so wonderful to be able to have a student come to the pantry and get something that was non-perishable and to get a gift card that they could use to buy something that they wanted.

Perhaps it was a treat during a time when they might be feeling a little down. Perhaps they didn't have a home to go to or things were really tight. It was greatly appreciated by the students who I was able to distribute those to.

Guy:
For so many of us who have been through our schooling and moved on to our careers, to think that there are people coming to Salem State today that can't afford food, who don't have a place to stay, it's shocking. It's so wonderful that you are here to help.

Chris:

This is just an amazing community, alumni, faculty, staff students themselves. When students became aware that there are their peers, folks sitting in classes with them who are struggling with hunger, everybody has really stepped up.

There is no budget for the pantry, yet it thrives. All I have to do is periodically put out the word that we need these things and all of the sudden they are here. It really echoes for me: what this campus is all about.

This is a special place that has always cared about its students and still continues. I know it is a surprise to folks to lean about the need.

In my era, I could go to school, work, and I could pay my own way. I'm one of six kids, I did pay my own way. That's really not feasible now.

Unfortunately the University doesn't receive as much support from the state as we used to. Salem is a great bargain when you look at the costs of other alternatives, but the reality is for many students, it is still quite a reach.

Guy:
It's so difficult for students today.

Chris:

It's absolutely true. All it takes is one event. It could be an illness, someone looses a job, there could be a divorce or something that is unexpected that completely changes the financial situation for a family or an individual.

There are many families that despite wanting to support a student coming to school, they are having a tough time themselves.

Guy:
You've said how much the campus responds, we want peole to know though that the need never goes way.

Chris:

That's absolutely true. Whether related to the pantry and the food.

We are also in the process of starting an emergency fund. My hope with that is that for students who run into a situation we can help. For example, we had a freshman who two weeks before school started had a fire in their home. They had bought their linens, they were set to move in, they had bought some of their books. It was all lost.

With an emergency fund we could help. If a student, for whatever reason, all of the sudden finds themselves without a home, an emergency fund might buy a couple of nights lodging while they sort things out.

We've had situations where a student has had a death in the family and didn't have the money to get home. Perhaps we could buy them a bus or train ticket.

I have found that young alums, in addition to the older who typically give, can really identify with this. They themselves or someone they know may have been in such a situation not so long ago.

Those folks are giving, even in small amounts, and it is making a huge difference.

Guy:
If there are people listening to this podcast who'd like to help, how can they get in touch?

Chris:

I ask that they contact institutional advancement [details below]. Tell them that you'd like to give to the Student Advocacy Fund.

Guy:
Chris, all that you do is phenomenal. You also work with outside agencies. Please tell us a little about that.

Chris:

I'm a one person office. It's not possible for me to fix all of these different situations. One of the things I do is to research, what are the resources on this campus and off.

We work closely with different agencies in the North Shore area to connect students with appropriate resources. If a student has work study or a job and they work at least 20 hours a week, they may be eligible for food assistance.

Perhaps you live in an off campus apartment and are having difficulty paying for heat. There are resources that may help. We look at what we can do well on campus, what are things done well off of campus and help to make those connections. It is an important part of what I do.

Sometimes there are just smaller bumps in the road. I often refer students to on campus counseling services or the health services office. I work with the navigation center, which is a new service on campus that is kind of a one-stop shop for folks dealing with financial aid, the registrar, or accounts.

Guy:
This has been very educational for me and a pleasure. Chris, on behalf of the alumni association I thank you for the great job you do.

Chris:

Thank you. Thank you to the many people who have already helped out.

____

Resources:

Go Vikings!

Join in on the conversation:

Salem State Alumni Network on LinkedIn;
SalemState University Alumni Association - Facebook;
Salem State Alumni (@SalemStateAlum) - Twitter.

Here are some of the places you may find me on social media:

Salem State Viking Voices: Vikings Roll into March 2016

2016-02-21T17:05:00.001-05:00

The month of March is often said to, "come in like a lion." For Salem State the University will soon leave February behind and roar into the month of March like true Vikings. Across the campus from our sports teams, to our performing artists, to our cultural contributions, to new vibrant staff additions, positive stories abound as the University continues as a beacon of progress.

The month February began with several Salem State performing arts students taking home honors at the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Regional Festival. Isabel Samuel, Morgan Flynn, and Matt Lundergan took home awards; Ms. Samuel for Lighting Design, and Flynn and Lundergan for categories in directing. With equal notoriety, student Mat Stanley, "received a musical theatre scholarship for the Open Jar Institute where he will workshop with for a week in New York City, and then to continue to Washington, D.C. for a week to compete for their national award at the Kennedy Center National Festival in April."

On February 3, Salem State’s 2016 Martin Luther King Leadership Awards were presented to Rev. Laura Biddle, English professor Keja Valens, and psychology major Molly Cavanagh ’15. For the first time in the annual award's history a fellow alumnus Emmuel Asonganyi ’11, was also honored. The award is given to a "faculty member, [alumnus] and staff or administrator for their outstanding and significant contributions to the cause of freedom, justice, peace, and equality."

At mid month a new Dean of Students was appointed. Carla Tharp PhD was chosen to fill the void left by James Stoll, who retired from the position in December. Dean Tharp comes to Salem after, "most recently serving as associate vice president for student life & development at Saint Peter’s University in Jersey City, New Jersey."

In winter sports the O'Keefe Complex is about to become an epicenter of Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) playoff action. After leading the conference all season the Salem State Men's Basketball Team has earned a first round bye and home court advantage for the conference tournament which begins for the Vikings on Thursday February 25.

Heading into the final game of the regular season facing Worcester State Tuesday February 23, the Salem State Men's Hockey Team is riding a ten game win streak and is holding on to first place in the conference. In the month of February the Men's Ice Hockey Team has outscored opponents by a margin of 24 to 11.

On February 11, the Vikings took over first place in the conference by defeating rival Plymouth State in an exciting 3 to 1 victory. With just a one point conference lead heading into Tuesday night's action at the Rockett Ice Arena, the Vikings stand on the verge of securing the top cede and home ice advantage for the MASCAC tournament which begins Saturday February 27.

Among the many accolades received by student athletes in February, the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston announced ice hockey players, "senior Cam Moniz (Seekonk, MA), junior defenseman Brad Jones (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) and junior goaltender Marcus Zelzer (Green Bay, WI) as finalists," for the sixteenth Joe Concannon Award. Established in 2001 the award is named for journalist Joe Concannon and recognizes, "New England's Best American-born Division II-III hockey player."

I hope you are able join other alumni as we travel to Salem to root for our Vikings as they pursue championship victories. If you can't make it to cheer in person, there are ways to follow online. Live game video and stats will be streamed on MASCAC TV and the individual Vikings' sports web pages. You can also follow our Vikings teams on Twitter @SsuVikings.

As February rolls into the month of March, many great things are taking place in which our alumni community may benefit. Highlights include:

the premier production of A Small Death in a Big Country an original play written and directed by Salem State professor William Cunningham debuts February 25, 2016 at the Callan Studio Theatre (tickets: $15 general admission/ $10 student & seniors/ free with Salem State student ID, may be purchased at salemstatetickets.com);
the Bertolon School of Business Marketing and Decision Sciences department is hosting the Entrepreneurship Guest Speaker Lecture, Monday, February 29;
the Enterprise Center at Salem State University has a packed calendar of programs from the business applications of Social Media, to seminars on sustainability, to CEO group meetings, to the Business Plan Competition, to other events that can help in our alumni careers and businesses;
the Annual Career Fair, is taking place March 3 from 4:00 to 7:00 at the Gassett Fitness and Recreation Center;
jazz trumpet player Terell Stafford, who piano legend McCoy Tyner has described as, “one of the great players of our time," will perform in the new campus recital hall on March 11 (visit here for tickets and information); and
many more events and happenings both in Salem as well as away from campus including the Naples Florida St. Patrick's Day Parade and Luncheon.

For a complete schedule of events, please click here for the University calendar.

I hope to see you on campus or online as we Vikings charge into the month of March.

What I've Learned after a Semester Serving on the Salem State University Alumni Association Board of Directors

2016-01-14T19:57:00.000-05:00

I have learned a lot in the few months since joining the Salem State University Alumni Association board of directors in September 2015. In this post I will share some of what I have learned.

Many things are familiar around campus since my student days. The dome of the Collins Observatory on top of Meier Hall is still there. The detailed craftsmanship of the Sullivan Building remains impressive. The George H. Ellison Campus Center seems as if frozen in time. Even though is has gone digital, the WMWM studio is still crammed with stacks of vinyl and cheers still echo off the solid walls of O'Keefe Complex. There have also been many changes.

The physical campus has undergone metamorphosis. What was once a hulking almost completely abandoned industrial area just south of what was then the main campus is now a vibrant new center of campus life. Here today adjacent to the re-purposed former factory that houses the Bertolon School of Business is a series of LEED certified (Leadership in Energy and Efficiency Design) green dormitories.

Where hazardous waste once threatened the tributaries of the Forest River, today there is a detoxed landscape that features walking trails, picturesque natural vistas and athletic fields.

Once twilight brought to this area little more than the ghostly memories of an industrial Salem's past. Today a civic hub buzzes with daytime and evening activities.

Elsewhere on campus from, the gleaming new Frederick E. Berry Library and Learning Commons, to the state of the art Harold E. and Marilyn J. Gassett Fitness and Recreation Center, and to the soon renovated Sophia Gordon Center for Creative and Performing Arts; students, alumni and the local community are enriched. Unfortunately, some realities of change are not as positive. Some are sobering.

The costs of attending is one such change. According to the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, tuition and mandatory fees have risen an average of seven percent per year since 2007. In 2007 it had cost an in-state commuter student $6,030 to attend Salem State. By 2014 the cost has risen to $9,246. Living on campus roughly doubles the price tag.

One might look at the numbers in comparison to the costs of other possible choices and think, "Salem State remains a bargain." There is little question that this is true. Looking at the raw numbers, however, betrays what Salem State has meant to many of our alumni and what it means to many of those seeking their start in today's challenging economy.

For me and many I know, Salem State represents a chance where other options were closed. So too today, Salem State should remain an opportunity for the many with the motivation and work ethic to follow in our alumni footsteps.

My first reaction on learning about the rising costs was to assume that this is the price of the many positive changes on campus. Progress can be expensive. I figured that the rise in tuition costs are a result of the building and other improvements that have taken place on campus. I have learned that my assumption was wrong.

The buildings and the physical plant on campus are owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Building and improvements are funded by the state capital budget. The costs associated with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts investments in the physical campus do not affect Tuition and fees.

What does affect tuition and fees is how much of the state budget comes to Salem State to subsidize student costs. I know that this may seem like digging into two separate pockets of the same pair of trousers, but there are a key differences in the fiscal processes. The numbers are stark.

The 2014 study by the State Higher Education Executive Officers, shows that educational appropriations per full time student in Massachusetts have decreased 23.1 percent since 2005. As state funding has decreased Salem State has needed to find ways to hold the line against costs while still maintaining the high academic standards that have so well benefited our alumni community.

One way that Salem State has defended against these cutback is with the help of the University's many friends. Although there are many stellar examples of Salem State alumni giving back in gratitude for the jump start provided to their success by the school, it is by a significant margin not alumni contributions that make the difference. The largest impact is the support of the friends of Salem State University who make the difference.

Among these friends Salem State benefits from the participation of business and community leaders in the Salem State University Assistance Corporation (SSUAC) and a rich ecosystem of local businesses who employ students and alumni and who benefit from the economic activity generated by the University. This is a wonderful thing, but the fiscal pressure never lets up.

Cutbacks in departments and functions across the campus are an all too frequent reality. There is also no prospect any time soon of the Commonwealth restoring funding lost from past budgets. Quite the contrary, increased reductions are anticipated.

What this means for the individual student as tuition and fees rise is that the benefits of Salem State's once highly accessible education are becoming increasingly difficult to attain. When I attended, I had the benefit of a good paying job and tuition reimbursement from the company that employed me. Few today are as lucky.

Along with rising tuition and fees comes the everyday pressures of the cost of living. Although Salem State does a great job in helping students to find employment both on campus in the neighboring communities, student jobs just aren't what they used to be. Although government agencies may claim that inflation in the economy is under control, we all know from our day-to-day lives that for those things most important to quality of life, costs rise endlessly.

Today students carrying a full course load and needing to find the economic resources to accomplish their educational goals are under extreme pressure. Serving on the alumni Civic Engagement Committee has taught me how hard it is for some current Salem State students. There are current students who at times have to choose between buying food and paying their educational costs.

I know that many of us today also struggle to keep up with conflicting fiscal priorities. We may still be paying down loans that financed our own education. We may be looking to a future of paying tuition for our own children. We all share the need to save for future uncertainty. We may look at the extent to which some have contributed and feel as though our contribution might seem inconsequential in comparison.

The reality is that Salem State needs the help of all of our alumni community in order to be able to continue to provide to others the benefit that we alumni share. Money is not the only way to help. Giving back in kind or giving a financial gift; no contribution is to small nor unappreciated.

Not sure how you may help? May I suggest that you come to Salem and spend some time visiting on campus. Take in a game. Every week features a slate of great competitive events.

Are you a more contemplative person? Weekly there are talks, seminars and cultural events on the University calendar. The theater and arts department's calendar features a regular schedule of events. Participating in the great activities that are constantly going on on campus will inspire your ideas.

Upcoming January 23, 2016 is the annual Winter Family Day featuring a jazz brunch from 11 am to 1 pm in Marsh Dining Commons followed by a choice of activities. That day there are four athletic games during which you can participate as our Vikings take on their rivals. If you plan to attend the Winter Family Day please email family@salemstate.edu to RSVP.

Another way to help is to participate in the alumni association gift card drive that runs through February 2.The gift card drive is specifically for food and toiletries for the students in financial need who get help through the University's Student Advocacy Program. Do you have gift cards from the holidays that you know you will never use? Please drop off or mail any cards that can be used for the purchase of for food and toiletries to the Alumni Affairs office.

Talent and time as well as treasure are all valued contributions. If you'd like to learn more ways that you might help please visit the 10,000 Reasons Campaign website. There you can learn about the Salem State Foundation and its work. You'll be surprised at the efforts underway and the opportunities for your participation.

Giving back to Salem State is not a solitary act. When you participate you share in an ethic that is woven into the fabric of university life. Students themselves are constantly involved in activities that benefit their communities and those in need. The Salem State Center Civic Engagement is a cornerstone in campus life.

President Meservey set this out as a priority for the University at her inauguration when she said, "It is our duty to ensure that students understand the importance of community involvement, and that they are well versed in the privileges and responsibilities that come with citizenship in a democratic republic." As alumni we share in those same “privileges and responsibilities” and we should actively support the University's worthy goals.

Thank you to the many who do. Thank you for spending a few minutes of your time. I hope to see you at one of the many events taking place this winter and spring.

Viking Voices - Podcast: Alumni Success Stories - Jenn T. Grace

2015-12-01T16:47:00.000-05:00

This edition of our Viking Voices conversations features an audio podcast interview with Jenn T. Grace. Jenn is a 2004 Cum Laude graduate of Salem State where she studied Communications/Advertising.

Add caption

Today Jenn is a successful entrepreneur and author. She calls herself The Professional Lesbian. In her business she teaches straight people how to market to gay people and gay people how to market themselves.

Among her accolades include being named 2014 Enterprising Women by Lesbian.com; awarded the 2013 Regional Affiliate Champion Spirit Award by Out & Equal Workplace Advocates; and also in 2013 Red Hot Entrepreneur by GO Magazine.

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Synopsis:

Guy:
I greeted Jenn and then asked about her business.

Jenn:
My business tag line is that I teach straight people how to market to gay people and gay people how to market themselves. I go by the moniker the "Professional Lesbian." It started as a joke, going back to around 2006 when I used to say that I needed a name tag that said Professional Lesbian. It's something that people vary rarely don't make note of when they hear it.

My day-to-day in my business is that I work with companies that are interested in marketing to the LGBT community. I also work with LGBT people themselves, whether individual professionals or business owners and help them market their businesses. This is both to the LGBT community also just kind of broad marketing.

I do consulting, individuals coaching, and group coaching, I have written two books and I have a podcast and a blog. I share just about as much information as I can. My end goal is to make the world a more inclusive place for all LGBT people in business and professional life.

Guy:

I asked Jenn about her podcast.

Jenn:
I started pod-casting back in early 2013. It started was an "aha" moment. I had two separate conversations in the same day between two very nondescript people; Just business people, your average persons. I started thinking, 'if somebody could just be a fly on the wall, because this person is so understated but so brilliant in what they do, it would be amazing for people to hear that conversation.'

My criteria is really just somebody who is either part of the LGBT community or someone who isn't but is active some way in the community. I have interviewed LGBT business owners and professionals. I have interviewed a lot of non-profit leaders of national LGBT organizations.

The end goal is to give them a platform to share their experiences. Also to share tips and advice to those who are listening and to share better ways that businesses can be marketing to the LGBT community.

Even though I am a recognized expert in the field of marketing to the LGBT community, there are still so many things that I don't know that my guests bring to the table. It is an incredible gift to learn, but also to be able to share.

Guy:
I asked Jenn if she specialized in any particular vertical industry or business sector.

Jenn:
I don't Jenn said, but I do have particular patterns. I have as clients a lot of attorneys, a lot of accountants and financial advisers. Typically service-based businesses are ideal clients for me; Anyone who is looking to branch out in their marketing efforts or who say they want to be more inclusive of the LGBT markets.

Though we are in 2015 there are still a lot of places in our country that are still not open and accepting for LGBT people. A lot of times it is the straight business owner or somebody who is working in a corporate environment who says, "I want to make sure our company is really positioned to work with the LGBT community." This is important because A, there is a lot of money to be made by doing so, and B, it's the right thing to do.

Guy:
I asked Jenn about the books she has authored.

Jenn:
I have written two books. These sprung from my blog which I started in November of 2012. I started off with conversations such as with a nurse friend who is a straight person asking me for advice about how to relate to her LGBT patients. It hit me one day that if she has these questions, others do too. The advice is applicable across a broad spectrum of industries.

After three years and over 400 blog posts I looked at what I had and repackaged the content based upon most popular topics. This resulted in two books, one focused on marketing and the other focused on communication. They represent a how-to guide to making sure you are communicating properly and marketing properly within the LGBT community.

Guy:
I then asked Jenn about her time at Salem State University and what she remembers of her time on campus.

Jenn:
I remember being very busy. I remember choosing Salem State so that I could be away from home, but not too far to my roots in Rhodes Island. Salem was just far enough away to give me a feeling of freedom, but close enough to get back home when I needed to.

I chose Salem over the other handful of New England institutions I was looking at specifically because it is such an inclusive place in general. When I started attending Salem State I had just come out the year before. I wasn't really yet in the mindset of thinking of myself as an LGBT person, but Salem was just so appealing because of its history as a town. It seemed as though the puzzle pieces were fitting together. I felt I can just be me because everyone else here is also being themselves. Salem is just very naturally inclusive.

I've heard from a handful of folks I used to attend with about of how proactive Salem State has been as of late in terms of LGBT inclusion. This is so important because LGBT youth, teens or college aged students, are the one who need the most support. Having such a supportive environment gives them valuable skills for the workplace.

Guy:
I asked Jenn about her recent experience in coming back to campus to speak to students.

Jenn:
In April I spoke to the communication program graduates for their senior portfolio night. One of my core services is that of a speaker all over the country at conference and at companies. This time Dr. Brown and Dr. Oehlkers asked me back to speak to the students about what a successful communication based business looks like.

I spent some time after the event talking with students individually and making suggestions about their portfolios. It was fun to give back in this way.

That was April and just at the end of October I got a LinkedIn message from one of the students saying that my speaking had a profound impact on her.

It is so rewarding to be able to speak to 60 or so future alums and hear from them months later to know I had helped. It is a very easy way to give back and to continue to be involved in Salem State and what's going on.

Guy:

You can learn more about Jenn T. Grace, the Professional Lesbian by visiting her website. You can also follow her on Twitter @JennTGrace. She can also be found on Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Jenn's two books are:

Go Vikings!

Join in on the conversation:

Salem State Alumni Network on LinkedIn;
SalemState University Alumni Association - Facebook;
Salem State Alumni (@SalemStateAlum) - Twitter.

Here are some of the places you may find me on social media:

Center for Education in the Community at Salem State University

2015-11-16T21:01:00.001-05:00

I recently sat down with Wendy Pearson, staff associate at the Salem State University School of Education’s Center for Education in the Community (CEC) to discuss the contributions that CEC makes to professional development for teachers and school administrators. "We are proud that many Salem State School of Education alumni are employed as teachers, principals and administrators in the region’s public school districts and community based educational organizations," Ms. Pearson told me.

Headquartered on the third floor of the Sullivan Building, the CEC program provides professional development, training and consultation to educators. The CEC also collaborates with school districts and community based organizations to apply for and manage grants and funding support for innovative educational initiatives in the region.

The CEC offers courses and workshops targeted to the professional development needs of educators in schools and community based organizations. The CEC arranges to offer district-based graduate degree, licensure, and advanced certificate programs to meet the needs of schools and educators for high quality continuing education and to respond to the changing academic and other needs of students in PreK – 16 education.

For example, many schools in the region report recent increases in the number of students whose first language is other than English. This year, School of Education faculty with expertise in teaching English Language Learners (ELLs) are meeting with Salem Public School teachers and staff in a series of seminars and “professional learning communities” (PLCs) to share and discuss effective strategies and teaching methods to support students learning the language skills necessary to progress academically.

A highlight for educators is the bi-annual Best Practices in Education Conference. The Best Practices in Education Conference was developed in cooperation with and is co-sponsored by the Friends of the School of Education a group that includes many active School of Education alumni. Held now for seven successful years the conference features over 20 workshops instructed by faculty and other experts in the field. The conference is held on a Saturday to facilitate maximum teacher and administrator attendance.

Planning is already underway for the November 2016 conference. Anticipated topics will include English as a Second Language (ESL) and Special Education. Information regarding the 2016 event will be published before the end of the 2015/16 school year in June. Interested parties may contact Ms. Pearson (wpearson@salemstate.edu, 978.542.7448).

Another upcoming event of note is the Salem State School of Education networking event that is being held Thursday, November 19th at FINZ Restaurant on Derby Street in Salem from 3pm – 5pm. The free event is free. Those wishing to attend are asked to register at the following link:
https://participate.salemstate.edu/SchoolofEducationNetworkingReception

Other programs managed through the center includes help to educators in applying for and managing grants for education. Recent successes include helping schools apply for, obtain and manage:

Race to the Top -Early Learning Challenge Grants and the Massachusetts Kindergarten Entry Assessment (MKEA), a federal/state funded program focused on improving educator knowledge and skill in the assessment of young children’s development and learning in order to better target instruction to meet their learning needs.

The Region 3 Partnership, Educator & Provider Support Grant (MA Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) Educator and Provider Support (EPS), currently in its sixth year. Public and private universities and community colleges in the Northeast and Metro-West region partner to offer college courses and continuing education opportunities to assist the early childhood education workforce (PreK – 3rd grade) to attain bachelor and master degrees i and improve their teaching skills.

The CEC also partners with several regional colleges and community colleges on the statewide, grant funded Massachusetts College Access Challenge program. In a joint initiative of the MA Department of Higher Education (DHE) and the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the CEC provides information and support on how to access and succeed in college to middle school and high school students and their families and to freshman college students on campus. The goal of this successful program is to increase the number of underrepresented, low income and first generation students who apply to, are accepted to, and succeed in post-secondary education.

Students from schools including the Thurgood Marshall Middle School in Lynn, Collins Middle School in Salem, and high school students from Salem and Malden Public Schools have participated in faculty led programming on campus and in the high schools. Student support continues on campus with first year college students at Salem State and other public and private universities and community colleges.

Through these programs middle and high school students visit college campuses to learn about the college experience and to observe college classes. They learn what high school courses best prepare students for specific career opportunities. They tour libraries, dormitories, meet with financial aid and admissions counselors and get help writing their college entry essays.

This program also funds Transition Support Specialists and programming at Salem State and other colleges and universities. The specialist/advisors meet regularly with students from under-represented groups, both individually and in small groups, and provide advising and support to assist students with the academic and other challenges of college. The program is concluding its fifth year. Services provided include:

Career exploration and what educational preparation is required for specific careers

how to find the college with the “best fit” for careers and individuals;

how to apply to college; and

how to find best financial aid for their circumstances.

Salem State University is deeply committed to increasing access to college for low income and first generation students including Latino, Far East, Haitian and other underrepresented groups. As the grant is about to expire, Salem State has demonstrated its commitment to sustaining this support and has integrated the program into campus support services to continue to assist freshman students to succeed in college and prepare for careers.

Other services provided by the CEC include professional development to school districts on:

Special Education issues;

English as a Second Language (ESL);

hosting workshops and Professional Learning Communities (PLC); and

general support such as providing someone who can come teach the teachers.

The CEC offers off-campus School of Education graduate certificate programs to meet school and teacher needs on topics including Advanced Graduate Study in Autism Spectrum Disorders. This certificate program includes four courses for teachers to better assess and meet the needs of increasing numbers of students on the autism spectrum.

Recognizing that it can be difficult for teachers to make the commute to the Salem State campus, courses are offered at schools in the region. Ms. Pearson said, “We’ll come to the teachers in the district.” She continued, "If there are enough participants in a particular location a financial discount may also be offered." Programs have been offered to teachers in Revere, Chelsea and Amesbury public schools.

The School Education was granted funding from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education for “Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment” (ICE) to develop career exploration and college programming to help students with disabilities who are unprepared to enter college or the workforce. Programming will serve students 18-22 years old with autism spectrum disorders and/or intellectual disabilities who have completed high school studies, but need further “transition” assistance to succeed in post-secondary education and careers. Interested alumni educators may join the ICE “Lunch and Learn” panel discussion on this developing program at the Ellison Campus Center at Salem State on Friday, November 20th from 11:30am – 1pm. Additional information is online at http://www.salemstate.edu/academics/schools/28395.php?id=2489

Beginning in fall of 2016, the Salem State School of Education will offer a “4 + 1” degree and licensure program. Integrated Bachelor and Master of Education (MEd) degree programs will be offered to students pursuing Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education teacher licensure in Elementary, Early Childhood and Secondary Education content areas. Instead of the traditional two years on top of four, participants will be able to complete the required coursework and fieldwork in five years with the opportunity to earn a second educator license in another high need content area.

Examples of the second area of concentration include: Special Education, ESL, and Reading Specialist. Salem State is the first Massachusetts state university to offer this innovative, integrated program. The concept of the integrated bachelors/masters degree program is an emerging national trend and was enthusiastically embraced by regional school administrators attending focus groups and interviews, including significant alumni participation.

The School of Education is also a recipient of a planning grant to offer help to students with disabilities who find themselves unprepared for college or the workforce explore careers. The program will offer an opportunity to earn college credits and learn the skills needed to enter the workforce for 18 to 22 year old students who have completed high school studies and require more transition support to enter post-secondary education and the workforce. Students included may also require help socially or have workforce preparation needs.

As the above proves, the Center for Education in the Community (CEC) at Salem State University is yet another reason for our Salem State alumni community to look back to our alma mater with pride. For those in our community who are educators, I hope the information above leads you back to resources that may help the students you serve and in your careers. For all our community I hope this serves as yet another reminder of how Salem State continues to be a resource to enrich our alumni lives.

I invite you to participate in this conversation and watch for the next edition of Viking Voices.

Join in on the conversation:

Salem State Alumni Network on LinkedIn;
Salem State University Alumni Association - Facebook;
Salem State Alumni (@SalemStateAlum) - Twitter.

Here are some of the places you may find me on social media:

Viking Voices - Podcast: Lauren Hubacheck, Director of Career Services at Salem State University

2015-10-28T17:44:00.001-04:00

In this edition of our conversations we inaugurate the Salem State Viking Voices podcast. This first episode features my talk with Lauren Hubacheck, Director of Career Services at Salem State University.

By way of introduction Lauren has been the Director of Career Services at Salem State University since August of 2012. Prior to that she served as Associate Director of Employer Relations at Florida International University.

Since coming to Salem State Lauren's goals have included establishing the vision and directing the priorities for the Career Services Office. She has helped to develop and maintain university partnerships with employers, coordinate an extensive career readiness program across campus for all students, and to collaborate with the Salem State Community to foster an environment of career development and learning that will enhance the career outcomes of our students and graduates.

Lauren leads a team of Associate Directors, Assistant Directors, and Administrative Assistants in successfully delivering signature career development to Salem State University students and alumni.

Lauren and I talk about the many ways that the Career Services Office benefits students and our alumni community. Looking for your first job? Need help applying for graduate school? Making a mid-career change? Looking for great employees for your business? The Salem State Career Services Office will help.

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or click below to subscribe in iTunes.

Synopsis:

I asked Lauren to talk about the Career Services Office and how alumni may take advantage. Lauren said that over the past several years the Career Services Office has evolved including, "Building out a whole side of our office that functions as an employer relations team." Lauren commented that the effort has resulted in increased engagement with alumni and employers and is a positive addition to Salem State's already great culture. "The Career Services Office exists to help students and alumni, while students are here on campus and after. We help as they are in the career development process and later transitions in careers," Lauren said.

For example, first year students can get help with study discipline and study plan. There are processes of career development that benefit students across their time at Salem. These include: opportunities for internships and networking, résumé building, cover letter help, and other elements that relate to career development, job search strategy or graduate school search.

I asked Lauren to talk about about the ways that the Career Services Office engages with alumni. Lauren defined that, "We engage alumni in two ways: We think about those alumni who are in career transition, seeking employment or grad school, and those alumni who are out there in the world of work. We work with alumni who are looking to engage new employees through Salem State for their businesses."

For Alumni seeking employment or career transition Career Services Online (cso) Offers:

an online job Posting Board;
the ability to build a profile which you can share with prospective employers;
Interview Stream, an online interview practice tool you can use from home using a computer and a web camera;
a Resource Library including –

Career-related Articles/Blogs,
Career Services Fact Book,
Career Services Handouts,
On-Campus Recruiting.

There are -

Career Advice Videos;
Job Search Tools;
Résumé Creator Tools;
Career Event Schedules;
Access to the Campus Career Coach; and
Other resources.

Lauren said that alumni can also come into the office, "Where a career coach will meet with you one on one and spend about 45 minutes detailing a plan."

For alums who are looking to hire or increase the talent pipeline for their companies the Career Services Office offers a number of ways to get involved. These include:

Programming in the academic classroom where faculty will request to have an alumni come into the classroom and speak on -

a career development topic, or
a career related to coursework;

Career panel series examples include -

Internship panel (students who are on internships and alum who have succeeded though an internship),
Career focus panels including recent panels on -

Sustainability,
Careers with animals,
Careers in the environment;

Alumni may host students at your company -

partnering clubs or organizations,
partnering with faculty to bring a class,

Tours,
Company overviews,
"What are you hiring for?"

I asked Lauren about opportunities for companies to visit campus. Lauren said, "We have increased the number of fairs we offer. We offer a student employment fair in the first week of school in September." Lauren continued, "We hosted 59 companies with the focus of talking with students about internships and part time employment for students while on campus."

Along with the Bertolon School of Business Accounting Association and the Alpha Chapter on campus, "We offer a meet the firms nights," said Lauren. Now in its third year this event recently featured 19 companies who where looking for accounting and finance recruitment. This resulted in students who, "Right now have offers on the table for employment after graduation in the spring," said Lauren.

"We do a large comprehensive career fair in March," Lauren continued. "We cap at 139 companies recruiting at the event." Due to the success of the employer relations effort the event has grow to outstretch the capacity for the largest space available on campus.

Lauren noted that although the primary focus may be on entry level positions often companies have positions for more experienced individuals. "We move those opportunities over to the Salem State LinkedIn groups," said Lauren.

Because there is such a heavy population of great individuals among Salem State alumni on LinkedIn the Career Services office becomes a conduit for career opportunities for students and alumni in all career phases. Lauren continued, "This can be for those alumni who are actively looking for a change and those perhaps who aren't looking but could be intrigued by a new opportunity that comes along."

The Salem State LinkedIn groups include:

Lauren concluded our conversation by pointing out that alumni may not think about coming back to take advantage of Salem State University Career Services but should. Lauren stressed there are many reason why, "One is we are a free service to alums." Lauren said career services can assist alumni whether it is the resources mentioned above or by helping think through how their skills apply. "Their liberal arts education coupled with their experiences can transfer into a new industry or a new opportunity," said Lauren.

Thanks for checking out this week's Viking Voices. I am looking forward to our next conversation.

You can join in the conversation by following this blog and checking out the many social media outlets available to our Salem State community. A short list of some of these venues are below.

Go Vikings!

Join in on the conversation:

Salem State Alumni Network on LinkedIn;
SalemState University Alumni Association - Facebook;
Salem State Alumni (@SalemStateAlum) - Twitter.

Here are some of the places you may find me on social media:

Viking Voices - Salem State Collaborative Project for Professional Development

2015-10-23T08:39:00.000-04:00

In our ongoing series of conversations about how Salem State transcends our academic careers and continues to add value for our alumni lives we've talked about: Career Services Online, the Enterprise Center, the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center, the School of Continuing and Professional Studies, and alumni participation in the Major / Minors Fair. This week I'd like to kick off discussions of particular interest to those alumni who are teachers. Regardless of where life has taken alumni as educators, other careers and in other life circumstances you will find that the Salem State Collaborative Project for Professional Development (CPPD) is an ongoing enterprise for which we can point back to Salem State with pride.

The Collaborative Project was started by Salem State professor Frank Sullivan and several public school science department heads from the North Shore in 1983. The original focus was on professional development for teachers in math and sciences teaching kindergarten through grade 12. It was then called the Collaborative Project for Math, Science and Interdisciplinary Education (CPMSIE).

Today the Collaborative Project is an alliance of member schools and school districts serving a student population of over 62,000. In the past ten years the project has grown in scope from a focus on math and sciences to encompass professional development for teachers in all curriculum areas.

Professor Sullivan was taught biology and education at Salem State College. He had also spent teaching time in England and noticed that the UK elementary and secondary teachers were offered professional development throughout the year in science in math. He sought to emulate the successful practice back home in Massachusetts.

Today the Collaborative Project is led by Executive Director Jim Kearns (SSC Class of 73/74), who is a retired Math Department Head of Lynnfield High School. Kearns partners with Jim Terlizzi, who retired as the Science Department Head at Peabody High School and serves as Finance Coordinator for the project.

As technology increasingly transforms education The Collaborative Project has kept pace. The Collaborative Project became the leading SmartBoard training organization on the North Shore. When iPads became a ubiquitous teaching tool, the Collaborative Project became a leading iPad training group for teachers on the North Shore. They now lead the way in the implementation of Google in the Classroom.

Although 95 percent of the Collaborative’s work is geared toward teacher professional development there are additional notable successes. One is organization of the annual Women in Science and Engineering (W.I.S.E.) Career Day. Coordinated for many years by Jim Terlizzi, Daryl Mazzaglia and Salem State professor Gwen Scottgale. According to The Connectory, "The W.I.S.E. Career day initiative specifically targets young women at an impressionable age and exposes them to today's technologically oriented careers in mathematics and science."

The W.I.S.E. Program has expanded throughout the years to over 500 participants (girls in grade 6 through 8). The program has become so successful that a major challenge is now fitting all of the students into the limited spaces of the available venues.

Over 20 professional women in the science and engineering fields present workshops to the girls. W.I.S.E. events have featured guest speakers including WBZ meteorologist Danielle Niles who has returned for several years of engaging presentations. This year's speakers included a computer analyst and field agent for the FBI who is a role model for the students combining Computer Sciences with Law Enforcement and showing how women can succeed in these traditionally male dominated fields.

Another highlight of the Collaborative Project is organization of Advanced Placement Practice Exams in Science (Biology and Chemistry) and Mathematics (Calculus and Statistics). These events take place over two successive Saturdays in March and April. Jim Kearns told me, "We average 500 students in math and 3-400 in science. By the time the teacher accompanying her students leaves for the day all their scores are tabulated and the teachers know what questions to concentrate on helping their student to prepare for the exams." Jim said that the results include that the grades go up on average of one point.

On Mondays throughout 2015 the Collaborative Project will offer ten or more two-hour sharing workshops on technology in the classroom and Common Core. On Saturday mornings a new program of workshops is also taking place SEEM Collaborative Office in Stoneham, MA. Click here to see the current schedule of programs (some sessions have an online component).

Jim Kearns said, "We try to adapt to address the changing needs of the teachers. The program used to only run after school with an occasional school day during the school years. Now we teach on Saturdays and host 20 programs during the summer. We’ve become a full year program." Jim continued, "This year we will add a new initiative being coordinated with the Catholic Archdiocese of Boston to do training for the parochial students from about ten schools north of Boston and helping them out as best we can."

Jim perhaps is most proud of how lean the Collaborative Project runs. He said, "We’ve worked out the overhead very well. We pay our presenters well but keep all other costs down." Membership in the Collaborative Project is consistently over 50 public school systems, parochial and private schools. Operating at a budget of less than $50,000 and at a cost to the participants of about $5 per contact hour the Collaborative Project is a bargain for all involved.

Jim said that a big part of the success of the project is the support provided by Salem State. The University provides office space and helps manage the organization's financial transactions with members and vendors.

I hope you share the pride I feel about this program headed by one of our great alumni and facilitated by Salem State University. I hope that you will continue to participate in this conversation and watch for the next edition of Viking Voices.

Join in on the conversation:

Salem State Alumni Network on LinkedIn;
Salem State University Alumni Association - Facebook;
Salem State Alumni (@SalemStateAlum) - Twitter.

Here are some of the places you may find me on social media:

Viking Voices - Major / Minors Fair

2015-10-16T07:57:00.000-04:00

This week I had the chance to spend a couple of hours speaking with students and faculty during the Major / Minors Fair organized by the Salem State office of Career Services. The event took place in Veterans Memorial Hall (ECC 201) in the Ellison Campus Center.

According to Angelique Torres Kim, Associate Director, Employer Relations of Career Services the event, "is designed to assist students who are choosing or rethinking their major as well as considering a minor." Alumni and employers were invited to join with faculty representatives and organizers of clubs and interest groups to engage and inform students.

I my spent time at the Computer Sciences table with professor Beifang Yi and assistant professor Lakshmidevi Sreeramareddy. I learned about the robust Computer Science Curriculum available to students and the many extracurricular opportunities to practice the skills learned. The extracurricular programs include the SSU Programming Club, the Robotics Club, the Computer Science Laboratories and tutoring services. Also available to students is on-line academic advising. For alumni, adult and part-time learners the Computer Sciences Department offers Continuing Education both in a robust evening program and daytime opportunities on a “space available” basis.

As I previously blogged in My Salem State Story: What is Yours?, computer science studies at Salem were crucial to my early career success. I carried a minor along with my major in Business Administration. The computer sciences programming skills allowed me to move into a management positon when the need for a computer systems administrator became a day-to-day business requirement for my employer. That was a long time ago when computer sciences skills could be a niche specialty.

Today we live in a code based world. Computers govern domains from financial services, to media, to healthcare and more. The degree to which computers affect our lives is increasing geometrically.

The Daily Mail recently asked, "Will your next boss be a robot?" Thinkers including futurist Ray Kurzweil talk about the concept of singularity; the day soon when computers surpass human intellect. Whether you are among the singularity optimists, a pessimist or a skeptic of concepts including singularity, it is a career hazard today to overlook the importance of computer literacy in the workplace. From the seasoned professional to those just starting out, computer sciences are a prerequisite to long-term career success.

In addition to the coding skills I learned at Salem State, as important are the problem solving and analytical skills that accompanied the concentration courses. Computer sciences teach us to solve complex challenges, apply innovation and work together successfully in teams. Along with good work habits and other soft skills computer science studies whether a major, minor or as electives round out the modern professional. Salem State University offers many ways students and alumni may prepare for this important part of the modern career.

Beyond computer sciences many other majors and interests were represented at the fair. I met instructor Jane Regan of the Communications Department who is teaching investigative journalism and coordinating a reporting workshop.

This was my first time taking part in the Major / Minors Fair. I didn't know what to expect. When I first saw Jane approach wearing her flack jacket and Kevlar vest I asked myself, "What have I gotten into?" I found Jane to be dynamic and engaging as she and Robert E. Brown, Ph.D, described careers in journalism to eager students.

Professor Brown is another great example of the exemplar talent that Salem State University attracts. He, "has served on the full-time faculties of Bentley University, Boston College, Boston University, California State University, California State University-LA, Emerson College, and is on the graduate faculty of the Blanquerna School of Communications, Barcelona, Spain."

In addition to his contributions to Salem State Doctor Brown is a faculty member of the Harvard University Extension School and is recognized in private industry for his work in public relations and as a speech writer for senior executives of Fortune 500 companies. I encourage you to follow Professor Brown on Twitter @GatheringLight for his witty and insightful commentary.

For the fair the staff of the Career Services Office worked tirelessly to bring together campus organizations ranging from Arts and Design; to the First Year Experience office; to I nterdisciplinary Studies; to Sport and Movement Sciences, to focus areas across the broad spectrum that makes up the Salem State experience. Large numbers of energetic and curious students left the event with a greater appreciation for the educational opportunities available. Prospective employers and fellow alumni including Salem State Alumni Board of Directors secretary, Debra Lee Surface of St. Jean's Credit Union, an organization that is a loyal benefactor of Salem State, also shared in the experience.

For me it was an invigorating couple of hours well invested. I met a large number of very motivated and thoughtful young people. I encourage fellow alumni to consider participating in the next Major / Minors Fair and other events the Career Services Office sponsors during the academic year.

If you are seeking to move ahead in your career; if you are an employer seeking to expand your pool of talented prospects; if you are looking for interns, or you seek a way to reconnect in the Salem State community, I encourage you to reach out to the Career Services Office and learn about the robust ways to participate. You can click here for contact information.

My personal thanks go to Associate Director of Employer Relations, Angelique Kim, and Employer Relations Associate, Josue Flores, for the hard work you put in to making the day such a success. Angelique and Josue you made it easy for me and the many other companies and alumni to take part. Thank you both.

I hope that you continue to find these topics helpful to inform you of the continuing benefits that Salem State provides to our alumni community. I hope that you will participate in this conversation. Next week's Viking Voices will be a conversation about the Salem State Collaborative Project for Professional Development.

Join in on the conversation:

Salem State Alumni Network on LinkedIn;
SalemState University Alumni Association - Facebook;
Salem State Alumni (@SalemStateAlum) - Twitter.

Here are some of the places you may find me on social media:

Viking Voices - School of Continuing and Professional Studies

2015-10-09T08:56:00.000-04:00

According to a recent report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "The average person born in the latter years of the baby boom (1957-1964) held 11.7 jobs from age 18 to age 48." For those of us born between 1977-1997 Forbes states, "Job Hopping Is the 'New Normal'," and that ninety-one percent, "expect to stay in a job for less than three years."

Original image courtesy of the Wall Street Journal
(http://www.wsj.com/articles/what-clever-robots-
mean-for-jobs-1424835002)

From the accelerating impacts of Globalization, to the ways in which Artificial Intelligence is automating away once lucrative professions, to the impact of robots displacing not only repetitive physical tasks now work requiring cleverness, and to the changing nature of the workplace it is imperative that we each keep our skills fresh. In this latest in this series of conversations describing resources available to our Salem State alumni community that help us in our careers and businesses I'd like open discussion on another valuable alumni benefit, the Salem State School of Continuing and Professional Studies.

The realities that a modern career is defined by serial positions and the very real threat that many jobs will be eliminated for any number of reasons force us to ask of ourselves serious questions. The most important of which is, "How do we insure that we have the skills to remain marketable as waves of change sweep the economy and workplace?"

The Salem State School of Continuing and Professional Studies is a key resource that can help in our ability to keep pace. Led by Dean Mary Churchill, "The school is home to part-time and off-campus undergraduate programs, Salem State Online, Summer at Salem State, and the Center for International Education."

For many of us it may not be possible to travel to campus to take classes. Some of us may not find the online mode of study suitable to our learning styles. The good news is that Salem State is today a global institution. In addition to the ability for alumni to take classes online, the school offers evening classes, "at local satellite locations in Winchester, Lawrence, Lynn, and Malden." The global reach of the Salem State School of Continuing and Professional Studies includes the Viking Global Bridge international program for undergraduate students that includes studies, "offered globally in locations as diverse as Costa Rica, Sarajevo, Liberia, Italy, and China."

Through the School of Continuing and Professional Studies we alumni can keep our skills fresh by earning online certificates, taking over 600 short-term online courses, working towards part-time undergraduate, and bachelor degree completion. There are also available a growing number of non-credit professional education programs.

As an example apropos to the topic of these conversations is a non-credit program that took place this past September. The 3-session workshop, Change is Good: Your Success Depends On It!, featured John King, president of Headway Strategies Consulting, and Mark Connolly, an independent consultant.

Another hallmark of the Salem State School of Continuing and Professional Studies is that the department works closely with other entities on campus and beyond. Recent partnerships include close collaboration with the Enterprise Center and with the Salem State World Languages Department. In the Summer of 2016 students will travel to Heredia, Costa Rica, for a three week Spanish language immersion.

I hope that you find these topics helpful to inform you of the continuing benefits that Salem State provides to our alumni community. I hope that you will participate in this conversation. Next week will be another Viking Voices as we discuss yet another great Salem State resource.

Join in on the conversation:

Salem State Alumni Network on LinkedIn;
Salem State University Alumni Association - Facebook;
Salem State Alumni (@SalemStateAlum) - Twitter.

Here are some of the places you may find me on social media:

Viking Voices - The Enterprise Center at Salem State University: part of Your Alumni Benefits

2015-09-25T11:23:00.001-04:00

Welcome to the latest in a series of my blog posts written to highlight the resources available to our Salem State Alumni community. This week I had the chance to visit the Enterprise Center at Salem State and attend Start-up Stories: Survival By Design, one of the many valuable sessions hosted by Enterprise Center.

On this day a capacity crowd engaged with Jennifer Adler who is a graphic designer, communications consultant, writer and entrepreneur. Jennifer talked about her business, Survival By Design Cards, and shared her professional advice. Jennifer told the engrossed audience about her successes and her learnings.

The audience asked probing questions to which Jennifer responded with the humor, wit and business wisdom illustrative of the Survival By Design Cards company brand. The interchanges combined to create a powerful learning experience that benefitted the audience members and Jennifer benefitted from advice shared back.

Start-up Stories is part of the Enterprise Center’s ongoing series of seminars and events - many that are free, some for a fee - that are available to members of our alumni community and to the public. Another free session that took place last week was, Two Hours to a Better Sales Strategy. Dave Johnson, Managing Director at Sandler Training engaged another robust group of attendees in how to, “‘Reboot’ your sales strategy and establish a game plan for success!”

While I visited the Enterprise Center I also met Abby Grant, Senior Program Manager of the Enterprise Center. Abby recently joined Salem State from the Boston Business Journal where she was Audience Development Manager. Addressing attendees Abby spoke of the upcoming series of events and resources available to the business community.

I am extremely impressed with Abby. Her optimism, enthusiasm and sense of mission is kinetic. In a short period of time she has energized the Enterprise Center program.

Abby is part of a new entrepreneurial spirit embracing Salem State. Guided by the leadership of University President, Patricia “Pat” Maguire Meservey, Abby is a symbol of the dynamic energy exuding across the university campus. Abby’s outreach to the local business community, electronic communications and social media skills are radiating the mission of the institution beyond the four walls of the Enterprise Center providing a beacon illuminating the value that Salem State generates for the community.

In the upcoming weeks the Enterprise Center will host more programs of value to our alumni and the regional business communities. Below is a short list of upcoming events.

If you in the area, take my advice and put a couple of hours aside to attend an event or more. Based upon my experiences this past week, it will be time well spent. I’ll be there to take in one or more and I hope to see you.

Upcoming events highlights (full calendar):

Thursday, October 1, 2015,

8:00 am - 10:00 am Google Adwords 2.0 (Fee: $35),
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Practical Project Management Certificate (Fee: $ $525);

Monday, October 5, 2015,

11:15 am - 12:45 pm A Goal Setting Strategy That Works (Fee: free);

Tuesday, October 6, 2015,

8:00 am - 10:00 am Marketing B2B: Best Practices (Fee: free);

Thursday, October 8, 2015,

8:00 am - 10:00 am, Twitter: Twitter: a Powerful, Easy-to-Use Marketing Tool (Fee: free);

Wednesday, October 14, 2015,

7:00 am - 9:00 am, Million Dollar Women – Breakfast and Brainstorming (Louise Leduc Kennedy).

Check out the full calendar for other events including, Start-Up Stories – Diabetic Dabs (October 19), Starting A Business – What You Need to Know, (October 20) Get Ready to Enter the North of Boston Business Plan Competition (October 21), and other valuable events in October and beyond.

In my next post I will profile the Salem State Small Business Development Center and I will let you know what I learn about those resources available to our Salem State Alumni community. I am looking forward to our next conversation.

You can join in the conversation by following this blog and checking out the many social media outlets available to our Salem State community. A short list of some of these venues are below.

Go Vikings!

Join in on the conversation:

Salem State Alumni Network on LinkedIn;
SalemState University Alumni Association - Facebook;
Salem State Alumni (@SalemStateAlum) - Twitter.

Here are some of the places you may find me on social media:

Viking Voices - Salem State University CSO (Career Services Online): part of Your Alumni Benefits

2015-09-18T12:35:00.000-04:00

How long ago did you step on that stage to receive your Salem State degree? A year ago? Five years? Longer? For me, almost 30 years seem to have passed in an instant.

As I blogged in My Salem State Story: What is Yours? my time at Salem State seem seemed to quickly recede into the past as the momentum provided by my Salem State education propelled my career. I didn’t know then that the substantial resources of the institution would continue to provide benefits throughout my adult life. These benefits include my ability to succeed based upon the things I learned in formal education as well as the experiences and activities of my time at Salem. I would discover there is even more.

In 2013 my employer offered a deal that became too hard to refuse. Seeking to align the size of the organization with operating results the company offered an attractive separation package for more senior employees. I suddenly had to confront that recurring life’s question, “What will I do when I grow up?” This question turned out to harder to answer than I had anticipated.

The challenge wasn’t for lack of opportunities. More it became a confusing array of choices. I also faced a compelling desire to try to wipe the slate clean. I had been doing similar occupations for a long time. It felt as though I had the chance to reboot; start from career Jump Street; do a career Lido Shuffle.

Doing so meant facing up the tribulations of someone who had not been in the job market for years. How to start? What resources could I tap? Here is where some of the many great resources available to Salem State Alumni came into my life.

Are you aware that as a Salem State University Alumnus you have available to you, mostly without charge, the resources of Salem State University CSO (Career Services Online)? I learned this and took great advantage as the next chapter in my career life began to unfold.

Included in the extensive resources are:

The ability to build a profile which you can share with prospective employers;
A Resource Library including –

Career-related Articles/Blogs,
Career Services Fact Book,
Career Services Handouts,
On-Campus Recruiting;

Career Advice Videos;
Job Search Tools;
Résumé Creator Tools;
Career Event Schedules;
Access to the Campus Career Coach; and
Other resources.

Also available are helpful staff to provide guidance to you through your career search journey. I was able to update my résumé using the online tools and get valuable coaching to improve it for professionalism and marketability.

Part of my separation package from my former employer included several months’ subscription to a commercial career services firm. My experience comparing the two: the for-profit company and the Salem State University CSO? Point for point I found the Salem State University CSO to be as valuable to me as the very expensive commercial service.

The only thing I will say is that the staff at Salem State University CSO is in the head space of helping undergraduate and graduate students. Especially when conversing remotely especially via email with the specialist, an adult job seeker needs to make sure that the person understands your adult job seeker context and needs. Once you’ve established the proper working relationship the results will be exceptional.

My results were that after going through the process I decided that independence was what I seek. After many job applications, cover letters and interviews I founded my own business.

Had I not gone through the job seeker processes supported by the resources of the Salem State University CSO, I may not have been so secure in my choice. Also, founding my business is not the end. Who knows what the future holds?

For this reason the Salem State University CSO will never be in my past. I keep my profile fresh. I log on periodically to see what new opportunities may become available. As a potential employer there are tools that give access to a substantial pool of well-educated, talented and motivated employee prospects.

Salem State University CSO has become a part of my professional regimen. If you haven’t discovered this unique resource and this valuable benefit of your membership in the Salem State University Alumni community, check it out. As Salem State University CSO for me, you will discover it to be yet one more value that Salem State University brings to your life.

Best regards,
GuySalem State University Alumni Association Board of Directors member-at-large

Viking Voices - As I Join the Salem State University Alumni Association Board of Directors

2015-09-11T17:44:00.001-04:00

Wednesday evening I started an exciting new journey as I attended my first meeting as a member of the Salem State University Alumni Association Board of Directors. I am one of five new members-at-large each serving two-year terms. Other new members Mary Bertrand '13, Daphne Georges '10, Janet Merriman '82, Timothy P. Shea '83G, and Dr. Hope M. Watt-Bucci and I join the sitting board members in service to fellow alumni and the institution.

It is going to be a very exciting new academic year with lots of opportunities for fellow alumni to join in celebration of our community. Events for the Alumni Association start off strong with Athletes Weekend. Kicking off the weekend beginning Friday evening September 25 is the Annual Celebration of Giving.

The event is being held in the innovative multi-function rotunda in the gorgeous new Viking Hall located at central campus. Salem State annual donors, our Sullivan Society ($1,000+) donors, Alpheus Crosby Society members, consecutive year donors, and first-time donors will be honored. Thank you to all who have contributed to the Campaign for Salem State University. I’m looking forward to seeing many of you at this great event.

Athletes Weekend continues Saturday, September 26, with a full day with the Alumni Games followed by the Athletes BBQ. If you are an athletic alumni and would like to join with former teammates in a spirited afternoon of competition on campus, check out the web page to learn how you can participate.

Sunday, September 27, continues the action featuring a Fun Run/Walk sponsored by St. Jeans Credit Union. Join the Viking community for an exciting scenic run/walk that explores the Salem State campus. If you haven’t been to campus recently, you owe it to yourself to come and experience the amazing transformation. Visit the website to learn how you can participate, get your commemorative t-shirt and join the post-race BBQ.

Interested in helping? The Salem State University Alumni Association can use your participation. We need people to man water stations, give directions and join us for an enjoyable day. For information on how you may help call or write (978.542.7530, alumni@salemstate.edu).

Thank you to St. Jean's Credit Union for your support of this event and your commitment to the intuition and the Salem State University Alumni Association. This is the second year St. Jean's Credit is sponsoring the Fun Run/Walk and is part of their ongoing support for Salem State University Alumni and the goals of the university.

Athletes Weekend concludes with the Alumni Athletes Golf Tournament & Dinner. Interested alumni foursomes and individual player participants can learn more at the website.

Not a golfer? Join fellow alumni for the dinner.

Thank you to sponsors Chartwells, Boston Private, Dimeo, and Salem Glass for supporting this major event.

There are many other things happening for fellow alumni who wish to be involved. For those Salem State University alumni interested in social work, nursing and occupational therapy, the month of September also features an event sponsored by the Massachusetts chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.

On the evening of September 21, “An interprofessional team of three educators from social work, nursing and occupational therapy present the educational model they have developed for graduate students at Salem State University. They will highlight the students’ experience of the model as they apply it to practice settings where care coordination is critical.” Please visit the website for more information.

September is just the beginning of a jam packed year of events. Highlights for the alumni community include October starting off in true Salem style on October 1, with participation in the Haunted Happenings Parade:

o Gather - Shetland Park 29 Congress Street, Salem
5-6 pm Arrival
6:30 pm Parade Start

o Viking Pride After Party
7:30-9:30 at the Salem Wax Museum
288 Derby Street
Salem

§ Register online

Later alumni events in 2015 include:

an opportunity to meet the Director Center for Civic Engagement, Monday, October 5, 2015 11 am-1 pm, MLK Room, Ellison Campus Center;
the School of Graduate Studies Open House takes place Saturday, October 17, 10 am-12 pm, Central Campus;
School of Social Work Open House is Monday October 19, 4 pm– 8 pm, 287 Lafayette Street, Salem;
#GivingTuesday is Tuesday, December 2; and
the annual Salem State University Alumni Association Holiday Party is Thursday, December 3, 4 pm– 8 pm.

I hope to see many of my fellow alumni at these upcoming events and over the next two years of my tenure as Salem State University Alumni Association Board of Directors member-at-large.

Best regards,
Guy

My Salem State Story: What is Yours?

2014-03-13T14:58:00.000-04:00

Salem State University's impact on my life has recently come into focus. This revelation is as my son enjoys his first year at the school. Over time the impact of graduation in 1989 blended into the fuzzy background noise of busy life. Jobs, family and community; the layers of life’s responsibilities dulled my cognition of what Salem State has made possible. Visiting the campus, participating in the parent’s council, seeing how the university is growing has caused me to reflect.

Graduating from Salem State opened doors for me that most likely would have remained barred. After high school like much of the country in the late 1970s I was on a wayward trajectory. My future as the economy seemed bleak. Jobs were increasingly scarce. Inflation was bad and accelerating. In the decade previous we had seen our military retreat, a president leave office in disgrace and the moral fabric of the country seem to unwind. When we looked for leadership, we heard words including “malaise” permeate the language of those who should have provided inspiration.

I had attended Salem full time for several semesters after high school. Recovering from an accident caused me to put my education on hold. I fell into a series of short lived jobs including pumping gasoline, working in retail, working in food services, and auto repair. Satisfying employment remained elusive.

One day I was contacted about a possible job by a friend with whom I had worked a summer during high school. Out of his favor I landed a full time position with a well-known regional company. The job was entry level. I spent my days stocking shelves in a warehouse. It was a great place to work. The job gave me solid wages and comprehensive benefits. The benefits included tuition assistance.

Here is where my path led back to Salem State. The warehouse was on Jefferson Avenue in Salem; figuratively and literally on the other side of the tracks from my future. A day came when I met the women who would later become my wife. Michelle was then finishing her associate degree at North Shore Community College. She planned to matriculate to Salem. It is said that behind every great man is a great woman. In my case I will say that behind great motivation there is a great woman.

With a future with Michelle as incentive and with the financial help of the company I went back to campus and resumed studies. Nights, weekends, summers passed as I attended classes while upholding my work responsibilities. Working full time and studying part time stretched out my enrollment. Nearly ten years passed from the time that I had first studied at Salem State until that day when I proudly strode across that stage in the Rockett Arena to claim my diploma.

It was time to pay back the company for the money invested in my tuition assistance with effort and achievement. Things moved fast from that day. I moved from wearing warehouse coveralls to wearing a dress shirt and tie. The computer science skills I had obtained at Salem State served me well as I was given responsibility for the management of a region wide computer network. My days as a supplies attendant were behind me. Other skills from my business administration major at Salem would soon take me further.

In the years since passed I have had many great adventures. I went on to study and graduate from an Ivy League university. I have had the opportunity to meet a president of the United States, celebrities and thought leaders. I have led teams paving the way to new uses of innovative technologies. I have testified before congressional committees and the Federal Communication Commission panel investigating the response to Hurricane Katrina. I have served on executive boards and joined with colleagues and friends to help people less fortunate.

Becoming reacquainted with the institution of Salem State University has caused me to wonder how many of these milestones may have been possible if not for the foundation laid at the school. Where would I be if not for Salem State?

My story is far from unique. For many Salem State alums the experiences, skills and knowledge attained have contributed to corresponding upward mobility and civic contributions. Curious about how big our impact may be I did some recent research on the professional social network, LinkedIn.

Among the nearly twenty thousand Salem State students and alumni who have LinkedIn profiles there is a spectrum of success stories. In the many thousands we Salem State Alumni list ourselves in the fields of education, entrepreneurship, government, healthcare, operations, sales and many other categories.

We are valuable economic contributors who span the country branching out from New England to every corner of the United States and internationally. We are professionals, civil servants, executives and leaders. We are in fields including finance, information technology, human resources, marketing, consulting, art, media and communications. We lead companies. We are members of congress. We serve in the military and in public safety. We shepherd agencies, bureaus and ministries.

Impressive as is the information from LinkedIn, it represents only a segment of the positive impact that Salem State contributes to our communities and our economy. Salem State has educated people for than one hundred and fifty-seven years. We are among over fifty thousand living Salem State graduates. The school serves over ten thousand undergraduate, graduate and continuing education students annually.

There are Salem State students who follow the traditional path from high school graduation to a Salem State degree. There are many like me who follow the less traditional path working full time while studying at Salem seeking to improve life for themselves and those who depend upon them. There are students who take advantage of Salem to pursue graduate degrees, to pursue their intellectual interests and to maintain their professional standing.

What has your Salem State experience meant to your life? Because of Salem State, how have you contributed to the world? Take a few minutes to tell your Salem State success story.

Ways to use social media to connect with Salem State and fellow alumni:

State Alumni Association
LinkedIn Salem State University Alumni Network
Salem State Alumni on Twitter @SalemStateAlum
Salem State on Google+

Salem State University Viking Voices

SSU Viking Voices Podcast: Alumni Stories – Keith Knight, Gentleman Cartoonist

Salem State University Alumni and Friends | Flickr

SSU Viking Voices Podcast: Campus Resources – Susan Edwards, Chief Archivist at Salem State University

SSU Viking Voices Podcast: Campus Events – Jon von Tetzchner, Founder of Opera Software and Vivaldi Technologies

SSU Viking Voices Podcast: Alumni Stories – Helen Gifford and the Events of the 1969-70 Academic Year

SSU Viking Voices Podcast: Interview with University President John D Keenan

Salem State College Class of 1989

Viking Voices Podcast: Alumni Success Stories - Mark Amirault

Salem State University, Viking Voices Podcast: 2018 First Year Day of Service: Moving Forward, Giving Back

Viking Voices Podcast: Salem State Global Day of Service

Viking Voices: Salem State Students Help Veterans Podcast

Viking Voices - Podcast: Student Advocacy - Chris Sullivan, director

SYNOPSIS:

Salem State Viking Voices: Vikings Roll into March 2016

What I've Learned after a Semester Serving on the Salem State University Alumni Association Board of Directors

Viking Voices - Podcast: Alumni Success Stories - Jenn T. Grace

Synopsis:

Center for Education in the Community at Salem State University

Viking Voices - Podcast: Lauren Hubacheck, Director of Career Services at Salem State University

Synopsis:

Viking Voices - Salem State Collaborative Project for Professional Development

Viking Voices - Major / Minors Fair

Viking Voices - School of Continuing and Professional Studies

Viking Voices - The Enterprise Center at Salem State University: part of Your Alumni Benefits

Viking Voices - Salem State University CSO (Career Services Online): part of Your Alumni Benefits

Viking Voices - As I Join the Salem State University Alumni Association Board of Directors

My Salem State Story: What is Yours?