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Lauren Borsa-Curran
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Salem, Mass. – Award-winning political journalist Alison King and social justice advocate, political strategist and entrepreneur Tomás Gonzalez will serve as fellows for the Frederick E. Berry Institute of Politics at Salem State University (Berry IOP) during the spring 2024 semester.
Salem State University, which is the Commonwealth’s civic engagement university, is the only Massachusetts state university to have an institute of politics on its campus. Past fellows have included: Eugenia Gibbons, a clean energy and climate policy expert; former Massachusetts Governor Jane Swift; former Boston Mayor Kim Janey; and Jennifer Levi, a lawyer, professor, and nationally recognized expert on transgender issues.
As this year’s Berry IOP fellows, Gonzalez and King will visit campus multiple times to participate in moderated discussions (open to the public), lead class lectures, coordinate skill building workshops and bring additional guest speakers to campus. There is also an opportunity for students to have personal meetings with the fellows, including casual lunches and dinners. A full schedule of public activities will be shared in late January.
“As the Commonwealth’s civic engagement university, it is important that we bring social activists and leaders to our campus,” said Salem State President John Keenan. “Alison King and Tomás Gonzalez are not only leaders in their professions but are making a real difference in their communities. Having them join us this year as our Berry IOP Fellows is a tremendous opportunity for our students and our campus.”
"This fellowship program provides students opportunities to connect one-on-one and in small groups with leaders who have succeeded in careers of politics, journalism, law, advocacy, and other forms of public service,” said Samantha Giffen, assistant director of the Berry IOP. “Many of our students are committed to making a difference in their careers, and these fellows serve as resources and mentors as students explore the many ways in which that can be achieved.”
The fellows will share their knowledge, skills and experiences with students exploring and pursuing careers in politics and public service.
"It is an honor to have been selected as an IOP Fellow. I’m eager to bring my knowledge, experience and brand of politics to the Salem State students seeking careers in the political arena. I’m humbled by the opportunity to both serve and inspire the future leaders of tomorrow,” said Gonzalez.
“At a time when local journalism is in crisis, I am honored to be a Berry IOP fellow and to share what I’ve learned over three decades covering politics and why it is so important to a healthy democracy,” said King.
Gonzalez was born and raised in Boston and currently serves as director of community and advocacy with Amplify Latinx in Massachusetts. He served as deputy director for the Boston mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services (MONS). Additionally, Tomás served as an assistant commissioner for the city of Boston's inspectional services department. He has served as the political director for the Massachusetts Communities Action Network (MCAN), one of the state's largest faith-based advocacy and action group. Tomás was also a founding member and executive board member of Raise Up Massachusetts (RUM), an important social justice table, dedicated to organizing for progressive ideals and driving systemic change. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Boston College.
King spent most of her career covering politics in New England, including leading the local, state and regional political coverage for NBC Boston/NECN from 1995 until her retirement from television in April 2023. She has covered seven presidential elections and interviewed every Republican and Democratic presidential candidate since 1996. This spring, King will also be a Shorenstein Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School. She won several awards for her reporting, including four Emmys, two Gracies and three Associated Press awards. King earned a bachelor’s in English from Colgate University and a master’s in journalism from New York University.
The Berry IOP fellowship was launched in 2022 with Former Boston Mayor Kim Janey and transgender rights advocate Jennifer Levi serving as inaugural fellows. Read more about the fellowship program, current fellows, and previous fellows here.
Institute of Politics Fellows | Salem State University
The Salem State Berry Institute of Politics invites prominent elected officials, journalists, activists, lawyers, policymakers, and other public servants to campus. As rising or seasoned professionals, Fellows share their knowledge, skills, and experiences with students who are exploring and pursuing careers in politics and public service.
About the Frederick E. Berry Institute of Politics
The Frederick E. Berry Institute of Politics was established in 2019 and aims to engage and inspire the Salem State community to be active in our democracy and to pursue careers in politics and public service. The Berry Institute of Politics (Berry IOP) is nonpartisan and expands political engagement at SSU and in the North Shore by bringing policymakers, political leaders and public officials to campus. It also convenes public and private sector leaders to discuss and move forward issues of significance to Massachusetts. The Berry IOP leads Salem State’s voter engagement; hosts political discussions and debates; supports students with career interests in politics and public service; and awards competitive scholarship offerings in the areas of government, politics, civic engagement, non-profit and other means of public service.
About Salem State University
Known as the Commonwealth’s civic engagement university, Salem State University, established in 1854, is a comprehensive, public institution of higher learning located approximately 15 miles north of Boston, Massachusetts. One of the largest state universities in the Commonwealth, Salem State enrolls about 6,500 undergraduate and graduate students. It offers 32 undergraduate programs and graduate programs that offer degrees in 24 fields. The university also has a continuing education division that offers both credit and non-credit programs. Salem State proudly participates in the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement and has shown a student voting rate above the national average, earning it a Silver Seal from the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. In 2020, Salem State received Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. The university is designated a Best for Vets College by Military Times.