Salem State University College of Arts and Sciences Fall 2025 Highlights

College of Arts and Sciences

Fall 2025 Highlights

Fostering Curiosity, Inquiry and Discovery

Humanities

STEM

Visual

and Performing Arts

Social Sciences

College of Arts and Sciences

Brian Vanden Heuvel, Dean, College of Arts and Science

A Semester of Creative and Scholarly Momentum

Fall 2025 reflects the strength, ambition, and public value of the College of Arts and Sciences. Across disciplines, our faculty and students advanced nationally and internationally recognized scholarship, produced compelling creative work and deepened partnerships that connect the university to our region and the world.

From major external grants and award-winning publications to performances, exhibitions and community-engaged research, the work highlighted here demonstrates the College’s central role in the intellectual and cultural life of the university. Just as important, it reflects our commitment to student-centered learning, interdisciplinary collaboration and public engagement.

Together, these accomplishments illustrate a college that is both academically rigorous and outward facing. We prepare students to think critically, create boldly and contribute meaningfully beyond the classroom.

Humanities

Humanities faculty prepare students to preserve and reinterpret cultural, historical and ethical knowledge, fostering critical thinking, civic understanding and public engagement essential to an informed, inclusive and democratic society.

English World Languages and Cultures

Interdisciplinary Studies Philosophy History

Salem’s Centuries

In anticipation of the city’s quadricentennial, Salem Centuries: New Perspectives on the History of an Old American City fosters vital community connections by highlighting diverse narratives. This essential collection, edited by history professors Donna Seger and Brad Austin features impactful essays from Salem State faculty, administrators and former graduate students, strengthening our college’s ties to local history and civic outreach. Salem’s Centuries provides a comprehensive look at Salem, Massachusetts, beyond the 1692 witch trials. This collection explores the city’s 400-year history, highlighting stories of indigenous peoples, immigrants, and social changes from its 1626 founding to the present day.

The Humanities Brigade Wins $480,000 Grant

In Fall 2025, Humanities Faculty launched "The Humanities Brigade," a $480,000 Mellon Foundationfunded initiative. This program empowers student cohorts to tackle local social justice issues through specialized coursework and civic internships, strengthening our commitment to regional outreach and equity. The grant, led by Interdisciplinary Studies Professor Elizabeth Duclos-Orsello, boosts retention, prepares students for meaningful careers and elevates Salem State’s national profile in equityfocused humanities education.

Community Engagement in the Humanities

• Revere Beach Stories, Finalist, Jean Pedrick Chapbook Prize, Kevin Carey and Stephenie Young (English)

• Against Erasure: Indigenous Peoples Public History Speaker Series, Margo Shea (History)

• Indigenous Lifeways, Philosophy Matters Speaker Series, Severin Kitanov and Mike Mulnix (Philosophy)

• Massachusetts Historical Society Honorary Fellow, Cindy Damon-Bach (English)

• Charles Dickens Society Trustee, Jude Nixon (English)

• Massachusetts Foreign Language Association, Board of Directors, Nicole Sherf (World Languages and Cultures)

• Heritage Award from the Association for Rollinsford Culture and History (ARCH), Emerson Baker (History)

• Through a Rainbow Lens: The LGBTQ+ History of Lynn, National Association for State and Local History (NASLH), Grassroots Public History Award, Andrew Darien (History)

Revere Beach Stories , Photographs and Poems by Stephenie Young, Jennifer Martelli and Kevin Carey

Humanities Scholarship

• “Afro Puerto Rican Female Authors and Advocates.”

Caribbean Feminisms, National Women’s Studies Association, Michele Dávila Gonçalves (World Languages and Cultures)

• “Engaging in a Theology of God, Slaves, and Sacraments: A Study of Anglicanism in the Caribbean” in The Anglican Church in the Anglophone Caribbean, Jude Nixon (English)

• Tan quieto como una escoba (As Still as a Broom), ”Introduction,” Kristine Doll (World Languages and Cultures)

• “Agency, Monstrosity, Capital? The Criminal Mother in the Kraken Series by Eva G. Saenz de Urturi in Serial Authorship and New Directions in Spanish Female Detective Fiction,” Fátima Serra (World Languages and Cultures)

• “Beyond the Seal of Biliteracy,” Massachusetts Foreign Language Association Annual Conference, Nicole Sherf (World Languages and Cultures)

• “Interwar, Intermedium, In-Translation, Transatlantic, International, and Postcolonial: How Magical Realism Became, Became Subversive, Popped and Fizzled, and Then Went Beyond,” Keynote Speaker, Freie Universität, Ken Reeds (World Languages and Cultures)

• ”Women Across Spaces, Times, and Horizons: Chipping Away at the System,” Keynote Speaker, Lumding College, India, Anna Rocca (World Languages and Cultures)

• Critical Edition of Adam Wodeham, Severin Kitanov (Philosophy)

• Soundplay Podcast, Season Six, Tanya Rodrigue (English)

STEM

STEM faculty drive innovation through externally funded research, applied problem-solving, and community partnerships that support student success, workforce readiness and regional economic and environmental resilience.

Computer Science Chemistry and Physics

Sport and Movement Science Mathematics

Geological Sciences

Geography and Sustainability Biology

Math Learning Center

The Mathematics Learning Center provides inclusive, high-impact academic support for every student. Director Johanny Hlatshwayo embeds tutors directly into foundational courses and recruits diverse mentors from across disciplines to ensure that specialized help is accessible to all. The MLC commitment to student success focuses on collaborative campus partnerships and data-driven outreach, fostering a welcoming environment where every learner can thrive.

STEM Community Engagement and Awards

• Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), Outstanding Chapter Award, Alexander Eden and Laura Laranjo (Biology)

• Mathematical Association of America Neff Middle School Partnerships Program $14K Grant, Collins Middle School, Christopher Yakes (Mathematics)

• Department of Recreation Community Award, KC Bloom and Tara Gallagher (Sport and Movement Science)

• Boston Red Sox Monster Employee of the Month, Phil Kelly (Sport and Movement Science)

• Northeast Arc Users Group and GIS Day, Nick Geron (Geography and Sustainability)

• Research and Analysis of Drinking Water in Salem’s The Point Neighborhood, Kristin Pangallo (Chemistry)

• North Shore Astronomy Club, Weekly Viewings at Collins Observatory (Physics)

• Mole Day, Chemistry Alumni Reception (Chemistry)

• Generative AI Assessment Workshop, Beifang Yi (Computer Science)

• City of Salem’s Sustainability, Energy and Resiliency Committee (SERC), John Hayes (Geography and Sustainability)

• Topsfield Fair Community and Economic Impact Report, Lorri Krebs (Geography and. Sustainability)

• Cyber Range Cybersecurity Training Center, Brian Travers (Mathematics)

STEM Scholarship

• “Developing a Digital Privacy Application,” Cooperative International Learning, Allan Brockenbrough (Computer Science)

• IEEE Future Machine Learning and Data Science Conference, Keynote Address, Manish Wadhwa (Computer Science)

• “Paleosol evidence for dynamic moisture regimes,” Geological Society of America, Sara Mana (Geological Sciences)

• “Implementation of Geo-Forensic Curricula,” Geological Society of America, Gavin Gleasman (Geological Sciences)

• “The Role of Civil Society and State Actors,” in Confronting Climate Obstruction, Noel Healy (Geography and Sustainability)

• I IEEE Future Machine Learning and Data Science Conference, Conference co-chair and publication, Komalpreet Kaur (Computer Science)

• “Teaching Preservice Elementary Mathematics Teachers Through a Social Justice Lens” in Teaching for Excellence and Equity in Mathematics, Christopher Yakes and Julie Klipfel (Mathematics)

• “Finding Myself in Miami: An Autoethnographic Exploration of Latin Identity and Belonging” in the Journal of Latinos and Education, Alexander Eden (Biology)

• “Patient Encounter Tracking for Clinical Education,” the Eastern

• Professors Manish Wadhwa and Komalpreet Kaur with Computer Science Students at the Massachusetts Undergraduate Research Conference, UMass Amherst.

Visual and Performing Arts

Fine and Performing Arts faculty enrich campus and community life through creative expression, public performance, and experiential learning, advancing cultural vitality while developing students’ creativity, discipline, and collaborative skills.

Art + Design Music and Dance

Theater and Speech Communication

Performances

• Everybody by Branden-Jacobs Jenkins, Directed by Julie Kiernan (Theater)

• Seventh Annual Veterans 10-Minute Play Festival, Produced by Julie Keirnan, Directed by Esme Allen and Sara Conlon (Theater)

• Mad Forest by Caryl Churchill, Directed by Kaela Mei-Shing Garvin (Theater)

• Small Music Ensembles Concert, Directed by Abe Finch, Peter Kvetko, Raymond Gonzalez, Steve Lacey, Mike Testa, Mary-Jo Grenfell (Music)

• Dances in the Raw and Student Recognition Ceremony, Produced by Meghan McLyman and Betsy Miller (Dance)

• University Band Fall Concert, Directed by Cynthia Napierkowski (Music)

• University Choral Ensembles Fall Concert, Directed by Holly Zagaria (Music)

• Latin American Dance Workshop, Directed by Greg Coles (Dance)

• Dance Faculty and Alumni Concert, 10th anniversary (Dance)

Fine and Performing Arts Workshops

• Mbira Music of Zimbabwe: Vitalis Botsa with Erica Azim (Music)

• Anna Sokolow Dance Workshop, Kirsten McKinney (Dance)

• Musical Theatre Workshops, Peter Sampieri (Theater)

• Contemporary Dance Masterclass, Sasha Peterson (Dance)

• Writers Series, Susan Muaddi, Pen/Faulker Award

Finalist (English)

• Writers Series, Pushcart Prizer Winner

Bill Roorbach (English)

Art Exhibitions

• Outdoor Sculpture at Maudslay, Ken Reker

• Flock ‘Em All, Haig Demarjian and Adam Miller

• Pretty Good So Far, Art + Design Faculty Showcase

• Art Activism and Democracy, Sue Coe

Social Sciences

Social sciences faculty generate data-driven insights that inform public policy, strengthen civic institutions and deepen understanding of social change, preparing students to lead thoughtfully in complex local and global contexts.

Politics, Policy and International Relations

Media and Communication

Social Science Awards and Community Engagement

• North Shore Policy Lab awarded $5,000 EmPower subgrant from Clean Energy Solutions Inc (Politics, Policy, and International Relations)

• Massachusetts Mental Health Counselor Association Counselor Educator of the Year, Melissa Kaplowitch (Psychology)

• New England Psychological Association and the Northeast Conference for Teachers of Psychology, Salem State Designated as Host School (Psychology)

• “Four Decades of Covering the Celtics,” Steve Bulpett (Media and Communication)

• The Resolution Center, Board of Directors, Amy Smith (Media and Communication)

• Lynn School Committee, Alumni Tristain Smith (Politics, Policy, and International Relations)

• Documentary Production on Rescue Dogs, Nathan O’Leary (Media and Communication)

• Economics Department Alumni Forum

Social Science Scholarship

• “Understanding student experience of campus green space post COVID-19,” Journal of American College Health, Vanita Naidoo (Sociology)

• Exploring Equitable CommunityCampus Relationships, Co-edited by Sara Moore (Sociology)

• “The Construction of Central American Identity in the United States,” Book Manuscript Award, Kristen Amaya (Sociology)

• Barbie in the Media and Barbie in Social Media, Rebecca Hains (Media and Communication)

• “The Blackbirds of Boxford: Early American Wild Bird Advocacy,” Bird Observer, Peter Oehlkers (Media and Communication)

• People’s Home Journal Green Meadow Club Bird Sanctuaries Campaigns, 191725, Peter Oehlkers (Media and Communication)

• “Brokers and Policy Learning on Cape Cod” Pathways Human Dimensions of Wildlife Conference, Jennifer Jackman (Politics, Policy, and International Relations)

• “Russia’s weaponization of passports: a case study of Estonia,” Northeastern Political Science Association, Vanessa Ruget (Politics, Policy, and International Relations)

College of Arts and Sciences