Salem State University promotes diversity to its alumni by holding an annual Multicultural Alumni Soiree event. The event aims to get more alumni of color to attend and share their experiences as students, when diversity was not as supported on campus. Recent events have seen growing attendance, as the university has made strides in promoting diversity among its student body and faculty. The goal is for alumni to recognize these positive changes and continue supporting Salem State's diversity mission.

1. First-Year Salem State
Philosophy University
Salem State University is com- Check Out What We’re
mitted to ensuring a first-year
student experience that facili- Up to!
tates the transition from high
school to college and that ac-
tively encourages students’ in-
volvement in the entire range of
opportunities available in the
college community. The first year
experience will lay the founda-
tion for student success in aca-
demic, intellectual, social, and Upward Bound Award recipients glance down at a Certificate of
Appreciation for their participation in the program in 2010.
civic endeavors in not only the
student’s first year but in each
year until graduation.
Salem State President Patricia Maguire Meservey cut the cake as university
status was celebrated in 2010.
Additions to Central Campus have changed student life
significantly since last year.
Salem State University
Admissions Office
The back view of Central Campus provides a view of nature. 352 Lafayette Street
Salem, MA 01970
978.542.6500
admissions@salemstate.edu The scenery near Salem State is unrivaled by other local schools.

2. “Many of the alumni of color spent a lot
of their time here feeling like they weren’t
included,” said Jannell Frederick, Staff As-
sistant of Institutional Advancement, and
an alumna of color herself. “The school is
making strides in diversity and we’re try-
ing to keep them updated on the changes
in the population here. We’re trying to get
them to come back for more events to tell
their stories of how they supported the
ongoing mission.”
Frederick said that there is an automatic
inhibition when being invited to an event
Governor Deval Patrick speaks to graduates during the Class of 2011 here, possibly because of that feeling that
commencement ceremony. they didn’t belong while they were here,
due in part to what was going on in soci-
ety depending on their time of atten-
Salem State promotes dance.
The Bertolon School of Business has students from all different backgrounds
in every program within it.
diversity to alums For example, while she was attending
school here, there wasn’t one person of
color in the Student Government Associa-
With more than 400 international stu- tion or on the Program Council. Although “The majority of the attendees from the
dents living on campus and people from that has changed significantly over time, it first year said that it was the first event
70 countries pursuing both graduate and might not have if it wasn’t for students they had attended since they graduated
undergraduate degrees at Salem State like her getting involved and being the from here,” said Frederick. “That’s huge.”
University, it’s no wonder that many change.
would consider the university one of the This year’s event isn’t scheduled yet, but
Frederick created an event in 2007 that, in Frederick said they’re aiming for an
most diverse schools in the state. its name as well as its guest list, includes
everyone: the Multicultural Alumni early March date and that invitations
Both the Student Support Center and the Soiree.An annual event, the soiree is an will be out before the New Year. Every
Learning Center at the university offer opportunity for all alumni to come to- alumnus will receive an invitation in
services to first generation students, gether to tell old stories, create network- hopes that the numbers will continue to
whose parents didn’t graduate from col- ing opportunities, and promote the grow for this event, as well as the other
lege, or those from low-income families, diversity that the school has become events held throughout the year.
allowing them to receive helpful training known for.
and student-specific tutoring to increase “It’s important that our alums recognize
their chance of being successful. Regard- the changes happening here and support
less of situation, support is always of- them,” said Frederick. “It’s a different
fered to every student. place now and it’s only growing and get-
ting better. The alumni support and the
Throughout the history of Salem State, diversity of the students and faculty are
with the ups and downs of the rest of so- proof that the mission is on its way to
ciety, diversity wasn’t always supported. success.”
Many alumni of different backgrounds For more information on this and other
faced controversy and adversity during events held at Salem State, visit salem-
their time in college, and it has caused state.edu/alumni/events or email Jan-
some question of whether or not things nell Frederick directly at
remain the same or if they are changing. jfrederick@salemstate.edu.
Salem State’s campus, faculty, staff and students are part of the ongoing mis-
sion to create a diverse learning environment where all students can flourish.