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Arts and Humanities / Event Coverage / Graduate News / News

The Newport MFA presents readings, craft talks with best-selling authors

salvetoday Posted On December 12, 2024

Salve Regina’s low-residency Newport MFA program immerses students in the creative life through residencies, mentorships, publishing and editing panels, and craft talks. The two-year program guides aspiring writers to the terminal degree in their field through eight-day residencies held in Newport twice a year, where they focus on their preferred genre of fiction, poetry, nonfiction or historical fiction. Students, who also gain insights into the business of publishing and editing, spend the months between residencies writing and reflecting in an individualized mentorship with eminent writers. The program culminates with each student completing a polished manuscript.

As part of the winter residency, best-selling authors and award-winning writers will present guest readings and craft talks during a week-long workshop from Saturday, Jan. 4, through Sunday, Jan. 11.

All events are free and open to the Salve Regina community as well as the general public, and anyone interested is encouraged to attend. For more information or to register, visit The Newport MFA.

Saturday, Jan. 4

Newport MFA Reading with Bill Roorbach
7 p.m., Ochre Court Ballroom

Roorbach has been an NEA fellow, MacDowell fellow, Kaplan Foundation fellow and most recently, a Civitella Ranieri Foundation fellow and resident at their castello in Umbria, Italy. He was a recipient of Ohio Arts Council grants in both nonfiction and literary criticism. His craft book, “Writing Life Stories,” has been in print for 25 years. Roorbach was a tenured associate professor at Ohio State University and later held the William H.P. Jenks chair and was professor at the College of the Holy Cross. Short work, both fiction and nonfiction, has appeared in Harper’s, The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic, Ploughshares, Granta, Ecotone, New York Magazine, Playboy and dozens more.

Sunday, Jan. 5

Newport MFA Magazine Panel with Tracey Minkin and Mel Allen
4 p.m., Ochre Court Ballroom

Tracey Minkin (left), Mel Allen (right).

Minkin is an award-winning writer and editor whose work has appeared in national and regional magazines as well as digital platforms including Southern Living, Coastal Living, Travel + Leisure, Outside, Food & Wine, Men’s Journal, VERANDA and many more. She moved to Birmingham, Alabama, in 2014, where she spent many hours exploring and writing about southern travel and culture. Minkin holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Stanford University and a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University.

Allen is the editor of Yankee Magazine, only the fifth editor in the publication’s nearly 90-year history. In 2018, Allen was inducted into the Folio Hall of Fame for editorial excellence, an honor that speaks to the respect he commands within the magazine industry. Allen’s career at Yankee spans more than four decades, and he has written for every department in the magazine. In his pursuit of stories, he has raced a sled dog team, crawled into the dens of black bears, fished with the legendary Ted Williams and embedded with the Bath Iron Works ship-launching crew in the days before they sent a battleship down the ways. He is particularly drawn to profiles, especially of those who have overcome extraordinary challenges.

Monday, Jan. 6

Newport MFA How to Make an Anthology Panel Discussion
4 p.m., Ochre Court Ballroom

Tracey Minkin, Francesco Sedita, Katie Moulton and Ann Hood will discuss the making of an anthology.

Tuesday, Jan. 7

Newport MFA Reading with Nick Flynn
7 p.m., Ochre Court Ballroom

Flynn, writer, playwright and poet, is the author of 13 books, including “Low” and “Some Ether,” winner of the PEN/Joyce Osterweil award. His bestselling memoir, “Another Bullshit Night in Suck City,” was made into a film starring Robert DeNiro and has been translated into 15 languages.

Flynn’s poems, essays and nonfiction have appeared in the New Yorker, FENCE and the Paris Review, and on NPR’s “This American Life.” His film credits include field poet and artistic collaborator for the film “Darwin’s Nightmare,” which was nominated for an Academy Award for “best feature documentary” in 2006. He has been awarded fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation and the Library of Congress. He is based in Brooklyn, New York, and spends each spring in residence at the University of Houston, where he is a professor in the creative writing program.

Wednesday, Jan. 8

Newport MFA Craft Talk with Nick Flynn
11 a.m., Ochre Court Ballroom

Newport MFA Reading with Francesco Sedita
3 p.m., Ochre Court Ballroom

Sedita is the president and publisher of Penguin Workshop.

Newport MFA Publishing Talk with Leslie Sainz
4 p.m., Ochre Court Ballroom

Leslie Sainz

Sainz is the author of “Have You Been Long Enough at Table,” winner of the 2024 Audre Lorde Award and a finalist for the Poetry Society of America’s Norma Farber First Book Award, the New England Book Award and the Vermont Book Award. The daughter of Cuban exiles, her work has appeared in the Academy of American Poets’ “Poem-a-Day,” the Yale Review, Kenyon Review, American Poetry Review and elsewhere. She’s received fellowships, scholarships and honors from the National Endowment for the Arts, CantoMundo, the Miami Writers Institute, the Adroit Journal and the Stadler Center for Poetry & Literary Arts at Bucknell University. A former guest host of the award-winning podcast “The Slowdown,” she currently works as the managing editor of New England Review.

Newport MFA Reading with Leslie Sainz
7 p.m., Ochre Court Ballroom

Thursday, Jan. 9

Newport MFA Craft Talk with Joanna Rakoff
4 p.m., Ochre Court Ballroom

Rakoff is the author of the international bestselling memoir “My Salinger Year,” and the bestselling novel “A Fortunate Age,” winner of the Goldberg Prize for Fiction and the Elle Readers’ Prize. Rakoff’s books have been translated into twenty languages, and the film adaptation of “My Salinger Year” opened in theaters worldwide in 2021 and is now streaming. She has been the recipient of fellowships and residencies from MacDowell, Yaddo, Millay Arts, Sewanee, Bread Loaf, Jerome Foundation, Authors’ Guild, PEN, Ragdale Foundation, Art OMI/Ledig House and Saltonstall; and has taught at Columbia University, Brooklyn College and Aspen Words.

Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, Oprah Daily, Vogue, Elle, Porter and elsewhere. Her new memoir, “The Fifth Passenger,” is forthcoming from Little, Brown and Company in 2025.

Newport MFA Reading with Joanna Rakoff
7 p.m., Ochre Court Ballroom

Friday, Jan. 10

Newport MFA Craft Talk with Tim Weed
4 p.m., Ochre Court Ballroom

Weed is the author of a short fiction collection, “A Field Guide to Murder & Fly Fishing,” and a novel, “Will Poole’s Island.” He is the winner of a Writer’s Digest Popular Fiction Award and a Solas Best Travel Writing Award, and his fiction and nonfiction have appeared in Literary Hub, The Millions, Writer’s Chronicle, The Daily News, Talking Points Memo, Backcountry and many others.

A member of the Vermont Humanities Council Speakers’ Bureau and a co-founder of the Cuba Writers Program, Weed has had a parallel career as an international guide and featured lecturer in locations around the globe for National Geographic, the School for International Training, the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center and many other organizations.

Newport MFA Reading with Charles Coe
7 p.m., Ochre Court Ballroom

Charles Coe

Coe is the author of three books of poetry: “All Sins Forgiven: Poems for my Parents,” “Picnic on the Moon” and “Memento Mori,” all published by Leapfrog Press. He is also author of “Spin Cycles,” a novella published by Gemma Media. Selected as a Boston Literary Light by the Associates of the Boston Public Library, Coe is a former artist fellow at the St. Botolph Club in Boston and a current artist in residence at the Manship Artists Residency in Gloucester, Massachusetts. He is an adjunct professor at Salve Regina and Bay Path University, teaching in both MFA writing programs.

Coe was a 2017 artist in residence for the city of Boston, where he created an oral history project focused on residents of Mission Hill. He is poetry editor of “Multiplicity,” an online literary journal published by Bay Path University, and associate editor of “About Place,” an online literary journal published by Black Earth Institute. He serves on the steering committee of the Boston chapter of the National Writers Union, a labor union for freelance writers and editors.

Saturday, Jan. 11

Newport MFA Craft Talk with Charles Coe
4 p.m., Ochre Court Ballroom

For more information on the events and the Newport MFA, please go here.

Featured / News / Student Life

Salve Regina University to open new residence hall in fall 2026

salvetoday Posted On December 9, 2024

In spring 2025, along with the robins and daffodils, a new residence hall will begin to emerge on the oceanside campus of Salve Regina University. Located on the corner of Shepard and Lawrence Avenues, the state-of-the-art facility will accommodate more students on campus.

The University has finalized an agreement that will provide housing for 205 students during the school year, as well as for Salve alumni, benefactors, employees and those with institutional connections, over the summers.

As part of the agreement, the University will add sidewalks to Shepard Avenue to promote pedestrian safety. Salve has also earmarked a second property on Victoria Avenue for potential redevelopment as a natural-grass athletic field. “We are grateful to our neighbors and the City of Newport for this agreement and believe that the new residence hall will be a wonderful addition to our campus and to the local community to which we’re so closely connected,” said Dr. Kelli J. Armstrong, president of the University.

The new residence hall is part of Salve’s strategic plan to provide more student housing on campus to help build a vibrant university culture and extend the Salve experience to more students while relieving some of the housing shortage in downtown Newport. Construction of the new building is scheduled to begin in spring 2025, with a plan to welcome students in fall 2026.

Faculty/Staff / Featured / News / Science and Technology

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is driving a teaching change from ‘what’ to ‘why’

salvetoday Posted On December 9, 2024

By Dr. Chad Raymond, professor in the Department of Political Science and Department of Cultural, Environmental and Global Studies. This article is excerpted from Raymond’s 2024 article in the Chronicle of Higher Education.

A global survey by the Digital Education Council found that 86% of university students now use AI in their studies. Notably, 80% of them said their university’s integration of AI tools does not fully meet their expectations. With more than 75% of global knowledge workers using generative AI in the workplace, using this technology effectively and confidently is a skill students simply need to have.

For faculty struggling with how to deal with generative AI in the classroom, we can learn from how the field of mathematics responded to the introduction of the calculator 50 years ago.

Horrified at the thought of students never learning how to do long division with pencil and paper, some teachers banned calculators from their classrooms. Others argued that calculators helped reduce the amount of class time they spent teaching basic routines, so they could focus more on teaching reasoning, data interpretation and problem solving. It was unrealistic to demand that students do things by hand in the classroom when calculators had become common outside it. To these teachers, the world had changed, and math instruction needed to change with it. In the end, it did.

With generative AI, educators in the humanities and social sciences face that same technological predicament. Reading has been central to the study of philosophy, history and other fields for centuries, while writing has been the main vehicle for training students to become better thinkers and for assessing how good they are at it. Yet AI’s reproduction of both activities is now indistinguishable from the real thing.

As data shows, many students are letting AI do this work for them. And for many humanities and social science faculty members, evaluating students has become an exercise in grading robots.

To respond to AI, some professors have resurrected assessment instruments from the pre-digital era, such as hand-written, proctored essay exams or in-person oral presentations, which come with their own complications. Others remain willfully ignorant, holding on to the delusion that their courses and teaching methods are so exciting that using AI would never enter their students’ minds.

The solution for faculty members is twofold: We need to acknowledge that AI has rendered much of our teaching toolkit obsolete, and we need to adjust.

Taking a project-based approach

Minor tweaks to assignments and exams will do little to counter the fact that chatbots can distill thousands of pages of scholarship down to a few paragraphs in seconds. Instead, instructors need to move from the “what” approaches of the industrial era — students passively ingesting then regurgitating a prescribed body of information — to a “why” paradigm that turns students into builders of new knowledge through creative problem solving.

Dr. Chad Raymond with students.

We must shift to a project-based course design that taps students’ natural curiosity while taking away the benefits of AI to achieve this goal. Here’s what that might mean in practice:

Have students select an unresolved real-world problem that is relevant to the course’s subject and interests them, then…
Make them responsible for inventing a novel but practical solution to that problem.

While AI systems excel at retrieving, analyzing and synthesizing information, they are aren’t great at forming and evaluating options to deal with complex social problems. That limitation becomes apparent to students if they try to delegate the entire problem-solving process to a machine.

Professors can use problem-oriented projects regardless of academic discipline. For example:

In an English literature course, students could adapt Mohsin Hamid’s ”How to Get Filthy Rich in a Rising Asia,” to a setting 30 years into the future, when unpredictable rains and extreme heat have made life in a major South Asian city even more turbulent. The instructor could have students build a plot around the protagonist’s son navigating climate-induced challenges after regaining control over the family business, but specify that, in doing so, they must preserve the original work’s stylistic conventions and core themes. This project requires students to undertake literary analysis, creative writing and environmental modeling all at the same time.
Similarly, students in a psychology course could develop an intervention that deals with a specific mental health issue at their college and pitch the idea to campus administrators. To design a realistic intervention, they would need to construct testable hypotheses that respect ethical and legal constraints, identify how to gather resources, analyze data collected from preliminary surveys and create a plan for assessing the proposal’s effectiveness.

Projects with uncertain outcomes like this get students to invest emotionally and require original thinking, making AI use less attractive.

Another advantage projects have over other teaching methods is that they help make learning a team sport. In most organizations, people work in groups and collaboration is critical to success. Good ideas can arise from conversations, and people frequently learn tremendous amounts by teaching others. Working on a shared goal also fosters a sense of community. AI cannot yet replicate the benefits that come from these human interactions.

Finally, projects embed skill development within a meaningful context, making it easier for students to understand how they can transfer those skills to solving other problems. AI chatbots, in contrast, respond only to the immediate specifics of the prompts they are fed.

Emphasizing problem solving and project-oriented teaching isn’t an argument for leaving students ignorant of basic principles while they pursue fruitless lines of questioning. An introductory economics student who doesn’t understand the concept of interest rates will not be able to independently produce an authoritative analysis of Federal Reserve monetary policy by the end of the semester.

Faculty members should follow the lead of medical schools that use problem-based learning models in which students work to diagnose patients under the guidance of experienced physicians.

As the computer scientist Mitchel Resnick noted in 2017, educational systems are “stubbornly resistant” to change. Instruction in the humanities and social sciences has remained stuck in a print-age logic despite technological innovations like the internet, lack of student interest and public perceptions of irrelevance.

With AI, what used to work in the college classroom to some extent — telling students which questions deserved answers and what those answers were — no longer works at all. It’s time we recognized the need to do things differently.

Event Coverage / Mercy Mission / News

Spread holiday cheer through the Angel Tree gift drive

salvetoday Posted On December 5, 2024

The holiday season is a time for joy, generosity and coming together as a community to make a difference. Salve Regina University’s Center for Community Engagement and Service invites students, faculty, staff and community members to join in the spirit of giving by participating in the 21st annual Angel Tree gift drive. This tradition runs through Monday, Dec. 16, providing an opportunity to support children, families and community members in need.

The Angel Tree gift drive has been bringing holiday cheer to those who might otherwise go without for 45 years. Created by The Salvation Army in 1979 by Majors Charles and Shirley White when they worked with a Lynchburg, Virginia, shopping mall to provide clothing and toys for children at Christmas time, the initiative now serves a wide range of recipients. This year’s beneficiaries include the Martin Luther King Jr. Center, Lucy’s Hearth, the Salvation Army, local schools in Rhode Island, Conexion Latina, the Housing Hotline, Newport Housing Authority and the Potter League for Animals. By participating, the Salve community plays a vital role in spreading hope and joy during the holiday season.

How it works

Angel Trees are set up at various locations across campus, as well as in the community at Newport’s Edward King House, St. Augustin’s Church and the Casino Theater. Each are adorned with tags that list the name, age and holiday wish of a local community member. The process is simple:

Shop for a gift: Select a tag, purchase the requested item and return it unwrapped with the tag attached to the Center for Community Engagement and Service in Mercy Commons.
Donate in person: Donate cash, checks or gift cards in the Mercy Commons.
Mail a gift: Ship items directly through Amazon or other online services to: Center for Community Engagement and Service 100 Ochre Point Ave, Our Lady of Mercy Chapel Newport, RI 02840
All items must be received by noon on Monday, Dec. 16.

Why it matters

For many children and families, the Angel Tree gift drive represents more than just presents under the tree – it’s a reminder that they are supported and valued by their community. From fulfilling a child’s wish for a special toy to providing practical necessities, each contribution brings warmth and joy to someone’s holiday season.

“Donating gifts to children in need during the holiday season is a meaningful way to bring joy and support to those who may be facing challenging circumstances,” said Kelly Powers, director of the Center for Community Engagement and Service. “Many of the children we provide gifts for are also practical gifts that can help children thrive beyond the holiday season by supporting their education, health and well-being.”

By participating, you can help ensure that everyone in our community experiences the magic of the holidays. For more information, contact the Center for Community Engagement and Service at (401) 341-2440 or email community.services@salve.edu. Together, let’s make this season a little brighter for those in need.

Featured / Graduate News / News

Excelling in the science of behavior

salvetoday Posted On December 3, 2024

Like many first-year students, when Megan Ellsworth ’23, ’24 (M) entered Salve Regina University as a first-year psychology major in 2019, she was ambivalent about her career goals. She knew that psychology was right for her, but its broad base overwhelmed her. However, a particular class with Dr. Emma Grauerholz-Fisher, assistant professor of psychology, illuminated Ellsworth’s path and she found her niche: behavior analysis.

Fast forward to fall 2024, and Ellsworth has not only earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology, but she continued at Salve to secure a master’s degree in behavior analysis and is currently on track for her doctorate, as well. In October 2024 at the esteemed BABAT conference (an annual symposium of New England’s regional association for behavior analysis), Ellsworth’s research received awards, alongside that of Jesse Perrin ’17 (M) and several other Salve graduate students, all of whom work under the guidance of Dr. Cody Morris, graduate program director and assistant professor of behavior analysis.

“My niche is data collection integrity,” Ellsworth explained, “but it’s so much more than numbers.”

Ellsworth’s symposium and poster, which she presented at BABAT, demonstrate the applicability of her data-based work. She conducted her clinical research at Pathways Strategic Teaching Center at J. Arthur Trudeau Memorial Center in Coventry, Rhode Island. There she used her scientifically driven research to help children and teens with autism and related disabilities to help them become more independent and higher functioning in school, at home and in the community.

“I worked one-on-one with a 13-year-old client who took a long time to transition from one room to another at Pathways,” said Ellsworth. “So we asked, what stimuli can we put in the client’s environment to speed up the transition?”

In another case, Ellsworth studied how data integrity could be affected by a specific software program. “I like the use of data and evidence-based information upon which to make my decisions. I appreciate the scientific lens,” she said.

This applicability is also part of what attracted Perrin to the field of behavior analysis, although his career route followed a different direction. Perrin came to Salve from UMass Dartmouth – he was impressed by the research and soon finished his master’s degree. He is now juggling the doctoral program with a full-time job coordinating practicum programs at Pathways while teaching psychology courses at Salve.

“I get the most enjoyment out of life by helping other people,” said Perrin, who has set his sights on a career as an educator but is open to the many options behavior analysis offers. “I have multiple focuses,” he added, but has zoomed in on “identifying idiosyncratic variables and precise treatments to reduce the recurrence of challenging behavior.” Perrin’s symposium at BABAT reflected this in his collaborative work titled “Assessment and Treatment of Escape and Avoidance Behaviors.”

Despite the time and effort BABAT required, both Perrin and Ellsworth raved about the conference. “It’s a terrific opportunity. The experience is amazing,” said Perrin, noting that the local aspect of the conference, which was held in Worcester, Massachusetts, makes it very realistic for participants to collaborate.

“It was a perfect balance of networking, getting new ideas for research and finding potential collaborators,” said Ellsworth. “Attending also underscores the broad applications of the field: not only in the classroom, but in sports, corporations and even with animals.”

Morris, who runs the behavior analysis research lab where Ellsworth and Perrin study, noted the prestige BABAT holds. “It’s the oldest and largest conference for behavior analysis in New England – 45 years – with a rich history,” said Morris. “I’m from Michigan and it’s the number one regional conference I had wanted to check out before coming to this area. BABAT is an amazing opportunity for our Salve students to see cutting-edge research and meet researchers from around the world.”

He noted that both Ellsworth and Perrin bring vast talent to the program. “We wouldn’t have what we have in our program without the practicum infrastructure Jesse helped build. And I’ve seen Megan develop from an undergraduate to a high-quality researcher. I’m honored to be part of their journey,” said Morris.

Salve students have won the poster competition at BABAT for the past two out of three years because, Morris said, “they are conducting very rigorous and meaningful research.” Aside from the accolades, Morris, Ellsworth and Perrin all agree that they are driven by the effect their research has on the lives they touch.

“I love the values of Salve and its mercy mission,” said Ellsworth. “This has influenced my career goals 100 percent.”

Arts and Humanities / Featured / News / Salve Spotlights

Salve artist Claire Roane ’25 earns a place at the AKC Museum of the Dog

salvetoday Posted On December 3, 2024

While families across the country gathered for turkey and pie, flipping between the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and spirited NFL games, Claire Roane ’25 had her sights set on something closer to her heart: the American Kennel Club’s National Dog Show. For Roane, a studio art major with a concentration in illustration, this wasn’t just a holiday tradition – it was the celebration of a personal milestone.

Roane’s original artwork recently earned a spot in the AKC Museum of the Dog with a piece celebrating the beauty and spirit of man’s best friend.

The prestigious recognition is a wonderful testament to Roane’s artistic talent. It also reflects the strength of Salve Regina University’s studio art program, which encourages students to explore their passions while embracing creativity and service to others.

Finding her passion

Roane’s journey to Salve began with a focus on French education. However, her love for art, specifically illustration, soon led her to pivot toward the studio art major, a decision that has opened countless opportunities for her to explore her creativity.

The Department of Art and Art History quickly became more than just a program for Roane – it became a family. Guided by the mentorship of dedicated department faculty like Whiteley Foster, Susannah Strong and Jerry Perrino, she found herself immersed in an environment that nurtured her creativity and celebrated individuality.

“They really pushed me to become a better artist,” shared Roane. “I was treated like a junior art student and not someone who was new to the major, which really changed my perspective and made me feel like ‘I can do this.’”

Claire Roane ’25, practicing digital art techniques.

One of the aspects Roane loves most about the program is its close-knit, first-name-basis culture. “It creates a sense of equality and collaboration,” explained Roane. “It’s a great community. You feel like your professors truly see you as an artist, not just a student.” This dynamic allowed Roane to develop not only her technical skills but also her confidence as an artist, knowing that her professors were as invested in her growth as she was.

This unique atmosphere of trust and connection among faculty and students helped Roane flourish in her new path, providing her with the guidance and encouragement she needed to succeed – not only in the classroom but in selective competitions like the AKC Museum of the Dog’s art contest.

“The community here makes all the difference,” she said.

A winning combination: art and animals

Roane’s passion for animals and her artistic abilities came together in her submission to the AKC Museum of the Dog’s annual art competition, with the prompt of this year’s competition being “dogs in winter.” Her piece, which portrays her dog, Bunny, catching snowflakes on her tongue, was selected for exhibition in the museum, an honor that places her among an elite group of artists from around the country.

“The inspiration came from a photo,” said Roane. “I’ve always loved animals and have grown up with dogs, so I really wanted to capture the whimsical feeling of them playing in snow.”

For her piece, Roane used Procreate on her iPad – a departure from her preferred traditional mediums. Roane admits that creating digitally doesn’t come as naturally to her. “I’m not a big fan of digital artwork,” she shared, emphasizing her love for the tactile experience of sketching and painting. “I really enjoy working with watercolor and ink and being able to flip through a sketchbook and feel the texture of the pages.”

Despite the challenge, Roane found a way to translate her artistic vision into the digital realm, with her piece cleverly combing techniques. The snowflakes and Bunny are rendered in a pencil-style brush, while the surrounding snow uses Procreate’s watercolor tools to mimic the softness of snow.

Roane’s inspiration (left), and her winning AKC Museum of the Dog artwork, titled “Bunny in the Snow” (right).

Though she missed the tactile feedback of physical mediums, Roane appreciated the flexibility of the digital process, including the ever-handy undo button.

The AKC Museum of the Dog, located in New York City, preserves, interprets and celebrates the role of dogs in society and educates the public about the human-canine bond through its collection of art and exhibits that inspire engagement with dogs.

Roane’s artwork, with its striking detail and emotional depth, stood out among the submissions.

“It was surreal to see my work on display,” Roane said. “Knowing that something I created is being appreciated on display is incredibly fulfilling.”

Fostering service through creativity

For Roane, service is both a value and a way of life, deeply intertwined with her artistic endeavors. Her time at the University has offered her countless opportunities to connect her creative talents with her passion for helping others.

Roane’s love for animals shines through in her volunteer work at The Potter League in Middletown, Rhode Island, and local shelters back home in Westchester, New York, where she spends time caring for rescue dogs and helping them find their forever homes. These experiences fuel her passion for animal advocacy and inspire her artwork.

“Salve’s mercy mission really drives me” she said. “I can do the things I enjoy while also helping others – it makes me feel so good.”

In addition to her work with animals, Roane is a dedicated peer mentor at Salve. She takes pride in supporting younger students as they navigate the challenges of honing their craft. “I always tell my students that service may seem like something you have to do, but it can be something really rewarding,” shared Roane.

“The more you participate in the local community at Salve, the more fun your college experience will be.”

A future of connection

As she continues her journey at Salve, Roane is excited to further develop her artistic skills and explore new projects. She is also considering how to merge her love for animals with her art in future endeavors, potentially through nonprofit work or illustration.

“Salve has given me so many opportunities to grow – not just as an artist, but as a person,” Roane said. “I feel prepared to take on whatever comes next because of the support and inspiration I’ve found here.”

With her artwork having hung in the AKC Museum of the Dog, Roane is already making her mark. This holiday season, her story serves as a reminder of the power of passion, creativity and service – and the way these elements come together at Salve Regina University.

Featured / News / Salve Spotlights

Hannah Quirk ’24: Her path to Dell Technologies started at Salve

salvetoday Posted On November 27, 2024

Hannah Quirk ’24, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, has gone from studying in a Salve Regina classroom to tackling high-tech challenges at Dell Technologies. What began with a passion for applied behavior analysis pivoted to technology, thanks to a well-timed internship and a willingness to seize new opportunities.

Along the way, Quirk built lasting friendships, gained invaluable skills and embraced a world of possibilities that ultimately led her to one of the world’s leading tech companies.

Now, as she navigates her role as an analyst and partner manager at Dell, Quirk draws daily from the foundational skills and values she developed at Salve – a path marked by thoughtful preparation, resilience and a commitment to personal growth.

A multifaceted education

Quirk’s decision to attend Salve was inspired by its academic offerings and supportive environment. Initially drawn to the five-year applied behavior analysis (ABA) program with plans to become an ABA therapist, she quickly discovered a deeper passion for psychology. Combining a rigorous core curriculum with hands-on learning, her Salve education provided essential skills for her career at Dell. “My psychology degree has been tremendously beneficial in my career,” Quirk said, emphasizing how her studies shaped her ability to collaborate and approach challenges with emotional intelligence.

Equally important to her academics was the personal development Quirk experienced during her time at Salve. “At home, I struggled with being independent, but living on campus made me feel more secure and comfortable with myself,” she reflected. By stepping outside her comfort zone, she discovered a sense of confidence that has become a cornerstone of her identity. “Without that push five years ago, I wouldn’t be as confident as I am today. What once scared me has now become a source of happiness.”

Her journey to Dell

Quirk’s path to Dell was one of hard work, beginning with internships during her sophomore year. “My first key step was to think about career opportunities early,” she said, emphasizing the importance of proactive career planning. Through networking and building connections, she secured an internship at Dell Technologies.

“I had connections at Dell and seized the opportunity to intern there,” she shared. “In my interviews, I emphasized my desire to advocate for a key diverse population at a Fortune 500 Company and build my professional brand.”

Though she initially planned to pursue a master’s degree in ABA, her time at Dell changed her course. “I loved the internship and was asked to come back,” Quirk recalled. Embracing the unexpected opportunity, she advises current students to “remain open-minded and never miss an opportunity.”

In her first four months at Dell, Quirk embraced new challenges, from developing cultural awareness to experimenting with generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot. She appreciates Dell’s commitment to work-life balance, which has allowed her to manage her time flexibly and focus on personal growth.

“As a partner manager, it is crucial to collaborate with multiple teams, and Salve’s emphasis on group projects prepared me well for this aspect of my role,” Quirk said.

A grateful look back

Her time at Salve was filled with meaningful experiences, from lifelong friendships to transformative programs. A standout memory was a trip to New York City to watch her best friend, Isabella Birgmann ’24, a theatre arts major, perform in “Children of Eden” on Broadway as part of Salve’s theatre program. “Watching her pursue her dreams was a proud moment,” Quirk shared.

Another highlight was her involvement in the Learning Unlimited Program, which paired undergraduates with students with disabilities. “I developed valuable skills like empathy, community engagement, and adaptability,” she said, noting how the program enriched her perspective and strengthened her connection to community.

Quirk credits the small class sizes and dedicated faculty at the University with preparing her for professional success. Courses like MGT120 Management and Organizational Behavior, taught by Thomas Flanagan, associate professor in the Department of Business and Economics, provided real-world insights through projects such as researching Fortune 100 companies.

“The objective was to analyze why this company ranked among the top 100 and articulate its appeal as a workplace. Through this project, I developed essential skills such as presenting, collaboration, and professional attire,” shared Quirk. “The experience was invaluable, and these skills have become crucial in my role at Dell.”

Salve’s holistic approach to education and personal development laid the foundation for Quirk’s confidence and career, shaping a journey she describes as both enriching and transformative.

“I plan to continue learning, building connections and staying open-minded,” said Quirk.

Event Coverage / Featured / News

Salve’s joint preservation conference spotlights justice and advocacy

salvetoday Posted On November 26, 2024

Salve Regina University’s historic campus buzzed with energy as scholars, students and preservation professionals gathered for an extraordinary four-day conference that merged scholarship and advocacy. “The Critical Concerns of Preservation” transformed the University into a hub for conversations about how preservation intersects with social justice – inspiring participants to explore the power of historical narratives to address today’s most pressing issues.

The event was a collaboration between the Eastern States Archaeological Federation and Salve’s Noreen Stonor Drexel Cultural and Historic Preservation Program (CHP). The conference spotlighted the role of preservation in uncovering and honoring diverse histories, with a focus on the Critical Concerns of Mercy: immigration, environmentalism, nonviolence, race and gender.

These themes, central to Salve’s mission, informed every aspect of the conference, guiding discussions about the moral imperative to preserve not only historic sites but also the stories they tell about identity, community and justice.

“We incorporate these things into every facet of our course work,” shared Dr. Heather Rockwell, assistant professor of cultural and historic preservation. “From learning about the experiences of indigenous people in New England, the lives of immigrant servants in Gilded-Age mansions to how we can build a greener community while preserving our historic character, our work touches every area of our critical concerns.”

Keynote inspires attendees to drive change

Rebecca J. Bertrand ’08, executive director of the Newport Historical Society (NHS), set a thought-provoking tone with her keynote address, which challenged attendees to reimagine preservation through a justice-focused lens.

As the nation nears its semi-quincentennial in 2026, Bertrand emphasized the urgent need for historical institutions to serve as tools not just for remembering the past but for driving meaningful change in the present. “Our students being able to see one of our Salve alumni out in the world, accomplishing so much and helping to lead the Newport preservation community was so inspiring,” said Rockwell.

Throughout her address, Bertrand illustrated how preserving stories of displaced communities deepens our understanding of identity and belonging, while integrating natural heritage into historical narratives highlights the interconnectedness of environmental and cultural preservation.

Bertrand’s keynote inspired attendees to view preservation as an evolving, dynamic practice – one that not only honors the past but actively shapes a more equitable future.

Presentations on community findings

The poster board sessions, led by students and scholars, offered a vibrant showcase of research and innovation, highlighting diverse approaches to preservation through lenses of environmentalism, cultural significance and historic analysis.

John Pelrine ’25 with his poster board.

John Pelrine ’25, a CHP major, delved into the significance of historic glass artifacts, drawing connections between manufacturing methods and the historical importance of sites. Using examples recovered from Newport’s historic Spring Street site, Pelrine’s research illustrated how markings and date codes on glass bottles can serve as critical indicators of a site’s history. His work challenged previous historians’ focus on non-machine-made glass, advocating for the value of studying machine-made artifacts to better understand 20th-century industrial and cultural shifts.

“I’ve always been interested in glass and archeology,” said Pelrine. “But it was through in-class public speaking in the CHP program that prepared me to present at this conference.”

Similarly, Sydney Dufresne ’26, a CHP and American history double major, presented her project on designing a new walking trail for the Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown, Rhode Island. This innovative trail utilized GIS and GPS technologies to map out culturally and historically significant sites across the sanctuary, many of which had previously gone unnoticed or unprotected. Dufresne’s project emphasized environmentalism by prioritizing the preservation of these sites while ensuring visitor access in a way that minimizes impact on the land. Her efforts showcased how integrating technology with preservation can deepen public appreciation for both natural and cultural heritage.

Dufresne is grateful to Salve for the wide range of experiences she has received and is excited to use the new knowledge and skills from the conference in her career.

Sydney Dufresne ’26 with her poster board.

“When I talk to the program’s alumni, they feel like they are more prepared than their other coworkers out in the field – and I can already say that is true,” said Dufresne. “Everything we read in class, we are actively getting to do in the field, during the conference, I am learning from other professionals about technologies that can help to expand my own research. I know that in the future, I’ll be able to confidently apply all this hands-on experience in everything I do.”

Field school in Maine leads to award win for Salve student

Engaging poster board sessions showcased groundbreaking research from across the region, while the student paper competition celebrated the next generation of preservationists. Among the standout moments, Salve’s own Kaleigh Trischman ’25, a CHP major, earned top honors, winning the Student Paper Award for her insightful contributions to the field – underscoring the University’s leadership in socially conscious preservation.

Trischman’s paper, “A Palaeobotanical Analysis of Soil Samples Collected from the Munsungun Lake Formation Project,” is part of her ongoing senior thesis research. Drawing from soil samples she collected during Salve’s 2024 archaeological field school in northern Maine, her study examines the floral species that existed in the region during the late Pleistocene, a time when mile-high glaciers dominated the landscape. Through a palynological study, Trischman worked to reconstruct the ecological landscape of the site, which was occupied roughly 12,000 years ago. Her findings aim to expand the understanding of subsistence patterns and human-environment interaction during the fluted point period in New England.

Dr. Heather Rockwell (left) and Kaleigh Trischman ’25 (right), after winning the Student Paper Award.

Competing against undergraduate and graduate students, Trischman’s work was judged on its originality, content, presentation and potential contribution to the field by a panel of Cultural Resource Management experts from across the eastern U.S. Her selection highlights not only the academic rigor of her research but also her deep commitment to Salve Regina’s mission of engaging with the past to better understand and serve the present.

“To have her research recognized by a panel of professionals was a well-deserved honor,” said Rockwell. “Kaleigh has grown so much in the last four years, and I am incredibly proud of her. It was so gratifying to see her hard work recognized and rewarded.”

Trischman’s achievement underscores her passion for archaeology and preservation and reinforces Salve Regina’s role as a leader in preparing students to make meaningful contributions to the field.

Setting students up for success

Hosting the joint conference on campus provided Salve students with an unparalleled opportunity to immerse themselves in the professional world of preservation. Through engaging discussions, presentations and networking opportunities, students gained valuable insights into professional-level expectations, explored cutting-edge research and built connections with future employers.

Conferences can seem intimidating, but by bringing this vibrant event to Salve, the University empowered its students to envision and step confidently into their future careers.

“I got to watch our students pick up business cards, start arranging future internships and one of our alumni who was in attendance even landed a job that night,” shared Rockwell. “Our students were able to see that they can move in professional circles, and that is really special.”

Featured / News

Salve students selected for Siemens Financial Leadership Development Program

salvetoday Posted On November 26, 2024

Three Salve students have been selected for the prestigious Siemens Financial Leadership Development Program (FLDP), landing internships that will take place in summer 2025. The global technology company offers these highly competitive spots to just 30 undergraduate students nationwide.

From the thousands who apply, Siemens selects 80 students to attend their “Super Day” interviews and case study competition held at their U.S. hub in Atlanta, Georgia. While Salve was the smallest institution represented at that event, three of its students were selected for the internship program – 10% of the cohort.

Emily Capocelli ’26, Georgia Costello ’26 and Taylor Pendleton ’25 will participate in the 12-week paid internship program that runs from May through August 2025. There, they’ll experience the day-to-day functions of a wide range of businesses as they learn how to analyze and support the financial aspects of a multi-billion-dollar company. Upon completing the internship, high-performing interns who are seniors will have the opportunity to interview for a full-time position in the FLDP rotational program where they can opt to pursue a career path as a financial analyst, accountant, business process specialist/auditor, business or plant controller or data analyst for Siemens.

Small-school support FTW!

“When we got to Atlanta, we realized quickly that most of the applicants were from big schools with big names,” said Pendleton. “We were at the exact same level of knowledge, but we seemed to have a leg up in our ability to network and talk.”

All three of the students attributed that ability to the level of comfort they felt in part to being part of a supportive group. Capocelli explained, “The other applicants didn’t know who else from their school was there and had never met them. We travelled together, were acknowledging each other and introducing each other. It made us more comfortable, and we could be ourselves.”

Costello also realizes the value of small class size. “At Salve we have relationships with the people teaching us. If we’re in class with 20 other people we can say, ‘Hold on, I didn’t quite get that. Would you mind going over it again?’ You can’t really do that in a lecture hall with hundreds of other students,” shared Costello.

Dr. Teresa Starzecki, assistant professor in the Department of Business and Economics, led Salve’s participation in the Siemens FLDP process, coordinating the recruitment visit and preparing the students after networking with Siemens at the Microsoft Excel Collegiate Challenge (MECC) last fall alongside Dr. Melissa Varao, chair of the same department. Department colleagues Rita Marcotte, lecturer, and Sam Sacco, senior lecturer, also played key roles in assisting with student selections.

“I was nervous going into this – I had never interviewed for a professional position before. Our Salve professors prepared us for every scenario – going over our resumes, guiding us on what to wear and how to network – and my nerves went away with the preparation,” said Capocelli.

In the coming weeks the students will learn their individual assignments, which can take place in any of Siemens’ nationwide offices.

Student snapshots:

Georgia Costello ’26

Major: Finance, with a double minor in business administration and biology

Career plans: “Eventually I want to go into the medical sales field. I came to Salve as a biology major so I don’t have a straight financial career path. That’s why I like this internship opportunity so much. I am going to learn a lot of things. It will help me decide on a path.”

Advice for high school students entering college? “In business fields, relationships and networking are important. Be yourself. Show your personality and carry yourself with confidence.”

Emily Capocelli ’26

Major: Global business and economics, with a double minor in business administration and marketing

Career plans: “I’m not set on any one career plan; I have a growth mindset. For me the Siemens internship was straight out of a fairy tale because I can do anything within their company. I can start off with something I may not end up loving, but I can continue and find what I want.”

Advice for high school students entering college? “Take the opportunities given to you and run with them. Give it all you’ve got. I’m an introvert in big group settings but I put myself out there. Don’t be afraid to be yourself.”

Taylor Pendleton ’25

Major: Accounting

Career plans: “I want to take a corporate job for a few years, but within 10 years, I really want to open New England’s first curling facility. New England needs this!” (Pendleton is a member of the U.S. National Curling Team)

Advice for high school students entering college? “Pay attention in accounting class! It’s super rewarding and useful. Also, develop a relationship with faculty if you can. Here at Salve, they’re all wonderful and will help you however they can.”

Arts and Humanities / Event Coverage / Featured / News

Artist Alicia Renadette to take up residence in Salve’s Hamilton Gallery this winter

salvetoday Posted On November 21, 2024

Salve’s Dorrance H. Hamilton Gallery has named Alicia Renadette as the Department of Art and Art History’s 2024 artist-in-residence. From Dec. 3-12, 2024, the Rhode Island-based interdisciplinary artist will relocate her studio practice to the gallery to share her creative process with the Salve community and kindle opportunities for dialogue, interaction and learning. The residency will result in a full show in the gallery, “Alicia Renadette: Resurfaced,” Jan. 22-Feb.19, 2025.

All are invited to an open studio reception with Renadette in the gallery on Thursday, Dec. 5, from 5-7 p.m.

Renadette, a native of upstate New York, lives and works in Providence, RI. She studied sculpture at the San Francisco Art Institute (MFA) and Hartford Art School (BFA). Her award-winning artwork has been exhibited widely, including in local shows at AS220, the Newport Art Museum, the Jamestown Art Center and Brown University. Renadette is also curator and co-director at Newport’s Overlap Gallery.

In her residency, Renadette will explore the interplay of sculpture and mixed-media drawing, moving fluidly between two and three dimensions while building densely layered hybrid forms that draw from both the natural world and material culture. Her sculptural abstractions mine the lost and found, recasting discarded and displaced everyday objects as agents of history, memory and growth. Drawing plays a critical role in her accretive process. She approaches drawing not as a preliminary study or descriptive summary of form, but rather as an intuitive way to deconstruct, repurpose and transform the ideas and materials of sculpture.

“Over time, I’ve lost the muscle memory for observational drawing, and I aim to rebuild this skill,” Renadette said. “Each day in the Gallery, I plan to spend 30-60 minutes drawing from direct observation, focusing on one to three sculptures that will be displayed in my exhibition.”

One sculpture, standing seven feet tall, has been difficult for Renadette to resolve in her studio because it touches the ceiling, preventing a clear view. “Bringing this sculpture into the Hamilton Gallery will allow me to gain the necessary perspective. I also plan to experiment by using printed images of this sculpture as templates for new compositions. These could evolve into schematics for refining the sculpture or serve as a starting point for an entirely new body of work,” she said.

Since 2017, Salve’s Department of Art and Art History has selected an artist-in-residence to work in the Hamilton Gallery. “Students can experience galleries and museums as somewhat sterile,” said Ernest Jolicoeur, gallery director and associate professor in the Department of Art and Art History. “Our residency program helps to activate the Gallery’s space and weave working professional artists into our curriculum and dialogue with students. Students get an opportunity to better understand art making as a creative process, a research methodology, and a daily practice.”

The Dorrance H. Hamilton Gallery is an integral part of the greater Newport cultural community, featuring the work of Salve students, faculty and alumni as well as outstanding regional, national and international artists.

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