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The following announcement was provided by Salem State University:
Student Success and the First Year Experience office at Salem State University recently inducted 33 outstanding sophomore students into Alpha Omega Psi, an honor society for students who demonstrate strong academic performance and engagement at the university. During their first-year, these students participated in the Salem State University Emerging Scholars Program and successfully completed all requirements while maintaining a commitment to their academic success.
Emerging Scholars participants are paired with graduate student success coaches and participate in a variety of guided sessions and focused programs throughout their first year. The program is designed to build students’ academic and life skills.
The induction ceremony included Emerging Scholars success coaches Rashid Abuelmaali and Carolyn Tracy as well as Emerging Scholars program coordinator, Ashely Figueroa and assistant director Megan Wigton. An inspiring keynote address was given by Assistant Dean of Student Success and the First Year Experience Mathew Chetnik and a virtual greeting was offered by Assistant Vice President Lee Brossoit. Inductees received a formal certificate and a medallion to wear as part of their commencement regalia when they graduate.
Chetnik notes, “Emerging Scholars provides students an opportunity to take ownership of their college experience while taking advantage of a coach whose sole focus is to motivate and guide them on that journey. While college can be hectic, these students completed all required sessions and were able to demonstrate a strong academic record at the end of their first year.”
Tracy states, “The students in this program showed up and engaged, even during a pandemic. They persevered to meet the requirements and we are so proud of their efforts. I have no doubt that with their dedication and academic success, they will do well in their future endeavors.”
The Emerging Scholars Program is one of many initiatives at Salem State University designed to connect first-year students with supports which assists them in achieving success on their journey towards college completion.
Student inductees by city and town:
- Jason Casey, Sport & Movement Science, Boston
- Lorraine Sanchez, Education, Boston
- Ruby Politano, Social Work, Brockton
- Samantha Fink, Biology, Delran, NJ
- Gabriell Nascimento, Criminal Justice, Everett
- Kyriah Smithson, Healthcare Studies, Gloucester
- Maya Walsh, Education, Hull
- Brenna Dillon, Biology, Lakeville, MN
- Elsy Pichardo, Healthcare Studies, Lawrence
- Felicia Pichardo, Social Work, Lawrence
- Margarita Worrick, English, Marblehead
- Makayla Baez, Social Work, Middleton
- Nadia Okuliczki, Theatre Arts, Millbury
- Lamar Auguste, Biology BS, Milton
- Riley Gill, Art, Peabody
- Abigail Guillama, Social Work, Peabody
- Atiya Haynes, Psychology, Peabody
- Elios Klefti, Business Administration, Peabody
- Rana Ahmed, Nursing, Revere
- Dania Kenny, Education, Revere
- Daniel Gustofson, Undeclared, Salt Lake City, UT
- Ilanis Rivera, Art, Scarsdale, NY
- Kara Haley, Art, Shrewsbury
- Kayleigh Hills, Sports and Movement Science, South Hamilton
- Jackson Boyd, Education, Sturbridge
- Gianna Yordt, Sociology, Sudbury
- Carlos Cueva Caro, History, Swampscott
- Nicole Bassett, Social Work, Swansea
- Josiah Beck, Sports & Movement Science, Turner Falls
- Emma Vautour, Social Work, Waltham
- Giovanni Cherisme, Computer Science, Wakefield
- Katherine Macdonald, Criminal Justice, Watertown
- John Minghetti, Criminal Justice, Westford
About Salem State 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 7,000 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.