Major: World Languages and Cultures, French concentration; English, Creative Writing concentration
Minor: Spanish
Hometown: Haverhill, MA
Group and Clubs: Book Club, French Club, Students for Justice in Palestine
Salem State is known as the Commonwealth's Civic Engagement University. Why is that designation important to you?
The Commonwealth’s Civic Engagement University’s designation is incredibly important to me because it means that we are a university that takes pride in continuing the long tradition of pro-activism and pro-free thinking, as well as public service advocating universities in the United States. This also means that students can push for change in subjects they care about through programs like the Berry Institute of Politics or the Center of Civic Engagement.
How has your experience with the Center for Civic Engagement / Berry Institute of Politics shaped your time at Salem State? What opportunities have been provided that you might not have had otherwise?
It has been one of the most gratifying experiences I have had here; it has reinforced my leadership and teambuilding skills while also making me aware of issues that I may not have paid more attention to otherwise. Two opportunities that stood out to me were volunteering at a farm planting for people in need and working on our current project advocating for the mental health of students transitioning to college.
What civic or social issues are you most passionate about? How has your time at Salem State helped you explore them?
I am passionate about advocacy for mental health, climate change, and economic justice. My time at Salem State has helped me explore these issues by teaching me different approaches to tackling activism and the issues surrounding it, as well as talking to local community leaders about connected topics.
The Center for Civic Engagement and Berry Institute of Politics bring political leaders, activists, policymakers, and public officials to campus. How have these events influenced your academic or career interests?
These events have reinforced my desire to make my career in translation into a mechanism through which I can help people in need by volunteering my services wherever necessary, whether in the United States or abroad.
How have Salem State faculty, staff, or mentors supported your involvement in civic engagement and public service?
My supervisor at the CCE, Kate Adams, has shaped my approach to civic engagement and public service by continuously giving me great opportunities to volunteer and get involved in community building. For example, a formative experience was volunteering with the crew of the Salem Pantry's food truck to give food to people who needed it on campus.
How has the Center for Civic Engagement / Berry Institute of Politics helped prepare you for your future — academically, professionally and personally?
It has helped reinforce my leadership and teambuilding skills and increased my confidence in applying technical and practical skills to aid people who need it. All of this will help in my career as translation is very people-focused, requiring me to understand both the authors of texts and the audience for the translated works.
How have you grown as a leader through your involvement in civic engagement at Salem State?
I have grown as a leader very much through this work. I have learned how to connect with people more deeply in a professional environment, and I have also learned how to bring people of different skill sets together to accomplish goals.
What advice would you give to prospective students looking to get involved in civic engagement at Salem State?
It is an opportunity like any other. The most important thing is to be ready to get to work, energetic and excited to show up and channel your passions into the work, and the rest will come naturally from there.