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Event Coverage  / Faculty/Staff  / Mercy Mission  / Student Life
Call for Proposals: Join the conversation at Salve’s fifth annual Mercy Summit
salvetoday Posted On March 12, 2025


Salve Regina University invites scholars, practitioners, students and community leaders to submit proposals for the fifth annual Mercy Summit, taking place on Wednesday, April 30. As one of Salve’s signature events, the summit provides a vital space for the University community to listen, engage and explore critical issues.

This year’s theme, “Socioeconomic Status: Past Perils and Triumphs, Present Realities, Future Possibilities,” examines the historical challenges and triumphs of socioeconomic mobility, the present-day realities of disparities and the innovative strategies that can create a more equitable future. We welcome thought-provoking presentations, interactive workshops and engaging panel discussions that offer fresh perspectives, evidence-based research and actionable solutions.

Important proposal information:

Proposals may explore topics such as historical impacts of socioeconomic realities and resilience; education and economic mobility as pathways to success; corporate responsibility and inclusive economic growth; grassroots movements and community-led change; health disparities and socioeconomic determinants; or financial literacy and empowerment strategies.

Submission guidelines:

  • Proposal length: 250-word abstract outlining the session’s purpose, structure and intended outcomes
  • Session formats: Panel discussions, research presentations, interactive workshops or roundtables
  • Target audience: Students, faculty, staff, alumni, community members and professionals from various fields
  • Proposal deadline: Friday, March 28
  • Notification of acceptance: Friday, April 4

For questions or to discuss your proposal idea, contact Dr. Sami Nassim. To submit your proposal, please email sami.nassim@salve.edu with the subject line: Your Name – Mercy Summit Proposal.


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Mercy Mission  / News
Students led the way on our most successful Day of Giving ever, which raised nearly $240,000 from more than 875 donors
salvetoday Posted On March 6, 2025


On Thursday, Feb. 27, the Salve Regina University community once again came together in support of people and programs all around campus for Salve Day of Giving.

This annual tradition broke records, raising nearly $240,000 from more than 875 donors. A group of generous trustees and donors issued giving challenges throughout the day, increasing the impact of every gift and giving the Salve community even more reasons to participate.

Salve Day of Giving kicked off with a special effort by the senior class – a gathering at O’Brien’s Pub that brought together 167 students, all participating in their class gift effort for the Mercy Fund. Student donors made up the largest cohort of Day of Giving donors, with 249 gifts.

Students, faculty and staff turned out for a special event in the O’Hare Academic Building, sharing what they love about Salve, making their own contributions and enjoying sweet treats.

All Day of Giving donors were encouraged to give to what matters to them. The resulting list includes, among other things, experiential learning, scholarships, athletic training trips, theatre experiences and student clubs. Gifts to any designation provide immediate, critical impact by directly helping to fund their priorities.

To everyone who made a gift, volunteered, spread the word or stopped by and shared what you love about Salve, thank you for being part of this moment.


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Featured  / Graduate News  / Salve Spotlights  / Science and Technology
A career in cybersecurity is a natural fit for Riley Rancourt ’20, ’21 (M)
salvetoday Posted On March 5, 2025


Written by Andrew Clark

Growing up in Warren, Rhode Island, Riley Rancourt ’20, ’21 (M) never expected to work in cybersecurity. His time at Salve Regina University, however, was instrumental in shaping his career path. A 2020 David L. Boren Fellowship recipient, Rancourt found that his computer forensics courses provided a strong foundation for the technical skills he uses today.

When he first arrived at Salve, Rancourt knew he wanted to pursue a career related to government. As an administration of justice major, he began taking classes focused on computer-based crimes. Over time, he became drawn to the intersection of policy and technology, ultimately discovering that cybersecurity was the perfect fit for his interests.

“I never expected to work in cybersecurity,” said Rancourt, who is now an information systems security manager and officer at BAE Systems, a leading aerospace, defense and information security company. “Technology was something that I thought of as recreation more than as a career. Here, I have found a career that harmonizes my interest between policy and technology.”

As an information systems security manager, Rancourt works on Department of Defense (DOD) contracts on behalf of a government contracting organization. He and his teammates build systems based on a risk management framework cybersecurity model that successfully meet DOD specifications.

Given the evolving and complex nature of cybersecurity, the job is challenging and rewarding.

“There is something new every day, and we are always busy,” said Rancourt. “One of the first things I heard is that if you are bored, you are doing your job wrong. It can be difficult at times to manage, but I think that is what makes the job so rewarding.”

Rancourt joined BAE Systems after spending a year as an information security system officer (ISSO)/cyber-vulnerability assessment analyst at Raytheon Missiles & Defense. In that role, he assessed and monitored system compliance and investigated information systems security violations, among other responsibilities. Having earned his master’s degree from Salve in homeland security and cybersecurity with a concentration in intelligence, being in cybersecurity is a natural fit for him.

“What I enjoy about my role is problem-solving,” said Rancourt. “We have 1,620 discreet requirements. Trying to make the business work within that framework and help our program secure as much as possible, I find that very rewarding.”

When he’s not working on pressing cybersecurity matters, Rancourt enjoys cooking – something he picked up as a college student. A four-year member of the cross-country team, Rancourt also said he lives a very active lifestyle.

“I love the outdoors,” he said. “I am a big hiker and runner. Anything to keep myself in good health.”

Learn more about Salve’s online master’s degree and certificates in criminal justice and cybersecurity here.


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Business and Economics  / Featured  / News  / Salve Spotlights
Senior Maya Parady reflects on University’s experiential business program
salvetoday Posted On February 28, 2025


By student writer Faith Lam

Maya Parady’s journey as a marketing major at Salve Regina has been defined by a level of learning that goes beyond the classroom. In the Jean and David W. Wallace Department of Business and Economics, she has gained not only industry-relevant knowledge but also hands-on experience that sets her apart. Through rigorous coursework, experiential learning opportunities and the department’s signature capstone course, Parady has developed the critical thinking, creativity and real-world problem-solving skills essential for success in the field. As she prepares to graduate this May, she leaves Salve Regina with a well-rounded education that has laid a strong foundation for her future in marketing.

A welcoming community

Parady’s first impression of the University as an eighth grader on family vacation transitioned into a life-changing opportunity. Finding Salve Regina was exactly what she needed but the opposite of what she was looking for. A Connecticut native, Parady had her heart set on a big school, but one visit to the University changed that. As a high school senior, she realized she didn’t want to be another number, and when visiting Salve Regina she could picture her life in Newport. She found a community of professors and friends she could count on to support her in her academic journey.

Like many first-year students, Parady took time to find her place – navigating the challenges of adjusting to college life. As she met people from different backgrounds and experiences, she discovered a strong sense of community within the business department – where she formed meaningful relationships that brought excitement and fulfillment to her college experience.

“It doesn’t matter the place that I am in, it matters the people I am with,” she said.

The most impactful relationship Parady found at Salve Regina was with her professors. A standout is Sam Sacco, senior lecturer in the business department and someone she considers a personal mentor and guide. Sacco has supported Parady in various ways, from refining her resume to encouraging her to take a step back and pace herself.

“I like to joke that I have a campus mom, campus dad and campus grandpa, and my campus dad is absolutely Sacco – he is always the one I talk to when I need advice,” Parady said.

Sam Sacco and Parady.

Experiential learning at its best

Encouraged to join by Sacco despite having no background in finance, she quickly discovered the power of experiential learning in Salve Regina’s Investment Club. The club offers a hands-on approach to learning about finance, and for Parady, who is now the club’s co-president, it has been a full-circle experience.

Each year, the club competes at the Student Managed Investment Fund Consortium in Chicago, where universities from around the country tackle high-level finance challenges. This past October, after weeks of late-night prep sessions and teamwork, Salve Regina’s team placed third – an achievement made possible by dedicated students from diverse backgrounds, including business majors and student-athletes.

“The curriculum of classes at Salve really build your confidence,” Parady said. “By the time you have an opportunity to lead and work collaboratively, you feel prepared, you feel good and you feel respected.”

A pivotal and required course for all majors in the department is the Strategic Business Planning Capstone, commonly known as BP, where seniors develop a business, conduct comprehensive research and present their findings to local professionals. Parady’s group – a mix of marketing, accounting and business administration majors – created a 75-page appendix on their “Killer Cooler,” a versatile beach cooler with convenient features and entertainment enhancements, which they created over long hours at friends’ houses while gaining experience in teamwork. Throughout the capstone, Parady’s team learned the power of delegating work in effective ways, and the importance of a team with a variety of skills.

Each year, as groups complete their final presentations, they gather on the oceanside lawn of the O’Hare Academic Building to cheer, pop champagne and celebrate their hard work. For Parady, she felt grateful – not that it was over, but for the experiences she gained through the course and her time in the department.

“We work so deeply within the Newport community and have so many opportunities to network with local professionals,” Parady said. “I don’t have stress about finding a job post-grad. I have faith in the relationships that I’ve built and the connections I have made in my time in the department, and I think Salve is such a hidden gem for that.”

Parady and her BP team after their “Killer Cooler” presentation.

Merciful reflection

Looking back at her experience, Parady acknowledges how Salve Regina’s mercy mission shaped her education and will continue to shape her future in the marketing field. “Compassion” is the word she uses for her own path with mercy. She’s found this in the professors, the students and the many resources provided at the University.

“The field of marketing can sometimes be seen as cutthroat or cold-hearted, or hard to connect back to our mission, but there’s so much leading with empathy that happens here, and there’s so much immersion within a community that it makes you care,” Parady said. “Our values are ingrained in what we do here at Salve, and it sticks with you.”


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Featured  / News
Salve Regina recognized as a top producer of Fulbright recipients
salvetoday Posted On February 25, 2025


The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has recognized Salve Regina for being one of the colleges and universities with the highest number of students selected for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, among master’s degree institutions. Fulbright Top Producing Institutions such as Salve Regina value global connection and support members of their campus communities across the U.S. to pursue international opportunities.

Three of the seven Salve Regina students who applied for Fulbright awards in the 2024-2025 academic year were selected and an additional student was named as an alternate. This was the highest number of students selected for Fulbright awards in a single year in Salve Regina’s history, and the first time the University was recognized as a top producing institution.

The Fulbright program is the U.S. government’s flagship international academic exchange program. Since 1946, the Fulbright program has provided more than 400,000 talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists and professionals of all backgrounds with the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research abroad. Fulbrighters exchange ideas, build people-to-people connections and work to address complex global challenges.

“We are honored to be recognized as a top producer of Fulbright award recipients,” Salve Regina President Kelli J. Armstrong said. “This milestone is a testament to our students who have earned these fellowships, and to our distinguished fellowship committee members who bring our students’ talents to the forefront.”

John Rangel Marte ’23 and Kaelie Piscitello ’24, Salve Regina’s 2024-2025 award recipients for the Fulbright English Teaching Assistant program, are currently studying in and teaching in Spain (Martel) and Taiwan (Piscitello). As undergraduates, Marte studied abroad in Barcelona and Piscitello in Oxford. Past Fulbright scholars from the University include Hannah Cazzetta ’15, who served as an English Teaching Assistant in Colombia and is now associate director of advising for Salve Regina’s Center for Advising, Career and Life Design, and Angela Wheeler ’12, who conducted research in the Republic of Georgia through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program and is now a visiting lecturer at Amherst College.

John Rangel Marte ’23 (left) and Kaelie Piscitello ’24.

“Studying abroad changed my mindset about education,” Piscitello said. “It got me interested in not only learning but teaching around the world.”

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see this kind of growth in our Fulbright program,” said Erin FitzGerald, Fulbright program advisor and director of the Center for Global Education and Fellowships. “The results highlight the many experiential opportunities Salve Regina students have on campus, locally and globally, that help them prepare to be successful candidates for post-graduate fellowships, and to make a positive impact in those communities.”

Marte spoke to those opportunities and noted, “Working with students of different ages through the Pathways program and Fab Newport gave me great experience and confidence for my studying and teaching in Barcelona. Receiving a Fulbright scholarship is such an honor. I’m thrilled to continue contributing to the world and local community here in Rhode Island.”

Students seeking to prepare and apply for Fulbright and other fellowships at Salve Regina are mentored and supported by the University’s distinguished fellowship committee, an interdisciplinary group of faculty, advisors and librarians in the Academic Center for Excellence’s Writing Center and the Center for Global Education and Fellowships. For more information, visit Salve Regina’s distinguished fellowships page or email Erin FitzGerald at erin.fitzgerald@salve.edu.


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Event Coverage  / Featured  / Mercy Mission  / News  / Student Life
Salve’s 12th annual Multicultural Education Week expands worldview with inspiring lineup of speakers and events
salvetoday Posted On February 21, 2025


Written by Talitha Giarratani-Chandler ’26

Salve Regina University is rolling out an exciting lineup of events for Multicultural Education Week (MEW), an immersive experience taking place Monday, Feb. 24, to Friday, Feb. 28. This campus tradition is a deep dive into global perspectives, cultural appreciation and critical conversations about race, identity and social justice. Organized by the Office of Multicultural Programs and Retention, the week blends intellectual engagement with vibrant celebration, ensuring every student can find something to take away.

A Salve tradition that matters

Since its start, MEW has brought together some of the most influential activists, scholars and artists from around the world to spark conversations that extend beyond the classroom. Each year, the week-long event features thought-provoking lectures, insightful panels and an unforgettable closing festival that immerses attendees in cultural traditions from across the globe. The closing Multicultural Festival is an evening packed with live performances, international cuisine and interactive cultural exhibits. The grand halls of Ochre Court will transform into a global showcase where students can taste foods from different cultures, enjoy traditional music and dance and engage in activities that highlight the beauty of cultural diversity. The festival is the perfect way to wrap up the week – immersive, high-energy and full of moments to remember.

Be part of the experience

Salve Regina’s 12th annual MEW is not just an event, it’s an opportunity to step into different perspectives, connect with new people and challenge assumptions. Whether you’re attending for the speakers, the discussions or just to enjoy an evening of cultural festivities, you’ll leave with a richer understanding of the world around you.

What people are saying:

“Multicultural Education Week is filled with heartwarming experiences. It’s nice to realize there’s something more than just ‘school’ here at Salve that brings us all together.” – Elena Alhazzaa ’26

“I say this to Sami all the time – the Multicultural Education Week gives us the opportunity to see experiences from other people’s eyes.” – Daniel Titus, associate director of Academic Support Services

What’s happening this year:

Multicultural Mass
Sunday, Feb. 23, 7-8:30 p.m.
Our Lady of Mercy Chapel

All are welcome to celebrate diverse cultures through a blend of traditions, music and prayers. Attendees are encouraged to wear traditional attire.

Opening Keynote with Dr. Matthew Guterl
Monday, Feb. 24, 7-8:30 p.m.
Bazarsky Lecture Hall in O’Hare Academic Building

Guterl, a leading scholar on race and culture in America, opens the week with a compelling discussion on equity in higher education. With a reputation for tackling uncomfortable truths head-on, he delivers sharp insights on the gaps that still exist in academic spaces and what institutions can do to foster inclusivity.

Diversity in Higher Education
Tuesday, Feb. 25, 7-8:30 p.m.
Bazarsky Lecture Hall in O’Hare Academic Building

Policies are shifting across the country, sparking debates on what role universities should play in promoting diverse communities. This panel brings together faculty members, students and professionals to discuss the evolving landscape and its direct impact on college experiences.

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Ned Blackhawk
Wednesday, Feb. 26, 7-8:30 p.m.
Bazarsky Lecture Hall in O’Hare Academic Building

Blackhawk, a National Book Award-winning historian, presents a groundbreaking discussion on Indigenous narratives in American history. His work centers around Indigenous experiences, offering a perspective that challenges and deepens our understanding of the country’s past.

Book Talk: The Underground Railroad with Olivia Jones
Thursday, Feb. 27, 4-5:30 p.m.
McKillop Library, room 219

Colson Whitehead’s “The Underground Railroad” is a gripping, award-winning novel that reimagines the path to freedom for enslaved people in America. Jones, a special programs and instruction librarian at the University, leads this session, examining the novel’s historical context, literary significance and emotional depth. Readers and non-readers alike are welcome—this discussion will offer fresh insights into how storytelling shapes our collective memory.

Multicultural Festival
Friday, Feb. 28, 6:30-10 p.m.
Ochre Court

The week concludes with an explosion of African culture at the Multicultural Festival, an evening packed with live performances, international cuisine and interactive cultural exhibits. Celebrate the vibrant cultures from Africa with the Salve community and enjoy an evening featuring interactive stations, powerful performances and a flavorful array of foods!

You can register for the events here.


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Event Coverage  / Featured  / Mercy Mission  / News
Salve Day of Giving: Give to what you love
salvetoday Posted On February 20, 2025


On Thursday, February 27, Salve Regina University will come together for Salve Day of Giving, a 24-hour celebration of community, generosity, connection and impact. This is our moment to give back to the University that has shaped so many lives and to support the next generation of students on their journey.

A goal with big impact

This year, our goal is to reach 700 gifts, and thanks to the support of dedicated donors, every contribution moves us closer to unlocking over $110,000 in challenge funds! No matter the size, every gift makes a difference – the collective impact of small acts of generosity truly transforms lives.

Join the Salve Day of Giving celebration on campus by stopping by the O’Hare Academic Building from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Enjoy fun challenges and giveaways, sip on a hot beverage while connecting with fellow Seahawks and snap a picture at our photo wall to share what you love about Salve. Whether you’re making a gift, playing a game or simply stopping by to say hello, this event is a chance to come together and celebrate the power of giving.

How you can get involved

Every member of the Salve community – alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students and friends – plays a role in making this day a success.

You can:

  • Make your gift – Visit salve.edu/dayofgiving to make your gift to the area of Salve you love most.
  • Spread the word – Post about why you give by using #SalveDayofGiving or #OneDayOneSalve and encourage others to do the same. Find our social media toolkit at salve.edu/dayofgiving for more ideas.
  • Join the celebration – Whether on campus or online, be part of the excitement! Send a photo to Salve and tell us why you give back.
  • Follow Salve Regina – Like and subscribe to Salve’s social media pages for updates, donor shoutouts and challenge progress throughout the day.
  • Challenge your friends – Inspire your classmates, teammates or fellow alumni to join in.

This day isn’t just about fundraising; it’s about coming together as a community. Whether you give, share or inspire others to participate, you are part of something bigger – keeping the Salve experience thriving for current and future Seahawks.

On Feb. 27, give to what you love. Let’s make this the most impactful Salve Day of Giving yet! Learn more about being part of this merciful tradition at salve.edu/dayofgiving.


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Arts and Humanities  / Event Coverage  / Faculty/Staff  / Featured  / News
“Jodie Mim Goodnough: Paper Trail” explores the subjectivity of historical archives
salvetoday Posted On February 20, 2025


The Department of Art and Art History will present “Jodie Mim Goodnough: Paper Trail” in the Dorrance H. Hamilton Gallery Feb. 27 to March 26. The interactive photography exhibition will open with a public reception from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27.

In fall 2024, Jodie Mim Goodnough, associate professor in the Department of Art and Art History, took a sabbatical to explore the idea of historical preservation proposed by world-renowned anthropologist, historian and writer Michel-Rolph Trouillot. She composed a personal photographic archive, scanning over 30 years of negatives and assembling these and her digital images into a complete archive of her photographic work thus far.

In his 1995 book “Silencing the Past: Power and Production of History,” Trouillot said, “Silences enter the process of historical production at four crucial moments: the moment of fact creation (the making of sources); the moment of fact assembly (the making of archives); the moment of fact retrieval (the making of narratives); and the moment of introspective significance (the making of history in the final instance).”

Visitors to the exhibition will be asked to take part in moment No. 3, the making of narratives, by creating their own collections from the hundreds of physical prints present in the gallery.

Goodnough’s interest in the subjectivity of archives, both personal and institutional, has evolved through her years teaching documentary photography and image literacy to Salve Regina students. “Every major historical event since the invention of the camera in 1839 has been partially defined by the images that we have in history books,” she said. “I want my students to wonder what images weren’t taken, or were taken but didn’t make the newspaper editor’s cut. In a time where the whole idea of ‘truth’ is slippery, we can’t just be passive consumers of visual information, and the best way to understand the subjectivity of visual storytelling is to put yourself in the role of the person making the decisions.”

Often, to emphasize the medium’s troubled relationship to the truth, she has asked her students to perform the same task requested of visitors here – to select images from a larger set that illustrate their point of view, regardless of the original intent of the photographer. After the exhibition will come moment No. 4, introspective significance, as these viewer-created collections inform the artist’s future projects.

“Even though we know images can be manipulated or faked, we still instinctively think of images as evidence – especially historical images – but every image you see is a choice,” Goodnough said. “The camera reveals what is in front of the lens, but it’s operated by a human who has made many, many decisions in the process of taking it, and by necessity, eliminates other views and experiences of the same moment.”

Goodnough is a multidisciplinary artist based in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. She attended the photography program at the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies in Portland, Maine in 2007 and received her MFA from Tufts University in 2013.

“I began thinking deeply about this topic when I attended the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies, and my interest has only grown since then,” she said. “I took a class in grad school with Dr. Christina Sharpe that helped me think about the ways we create memory, especially public memory, and who controls what information gets saved and elevated. I don’t think I realized it at the time, but working with her was a pivotal point in my education. It encouraged me to take a step back and think about all of the ways in which images function in our society beyond just artistic production. When I began teaching at Salve, I always knew I would incorporate image literacy and media analysis into my classes, because students today are bombarded by more visual information than ever before.”

Goodnough is also the recipient of a Pollock-Krasner Foundation artist grant, a RISCA grant in photography and an alumni traveling fellowship from Tufts University, and has attended residencies at Ucross Foundation, Wassaic Project and ChaNorth, among others. Her work has been shown nationally in both solo and group exhibitions, including at Spring/Break Art Show in New York, ArtPort Kingston and in the solo exhibition Biophilia at the Newport Art Museum.

The Dorrance H. Hamilton Gallery is an integral part of the greater Newport cultural community, featuring the work of Salve Regina students, faculty and alumni as well as outstanding regional, national and international artists. Located in the Antone Academic Center at Salve Regina, it is handicap accessible with parking along Lawrence and Leroy avenues. Exhibits are open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m.


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Featured  / Mercy Mission  / News  / Student Life
Journey to the heart of the Amazon basin: The diversity of life and learning in the rainforest
salvetoday Posted On February 12, 2025


Written by Maeve Newton ’25

The Amazon rainforest, which is nearly the size of the continental U.S., used to be an unfathomable place of beauty far beyond my reach. I grew up reading about this expansive forest in National Geographic and Junior Scholastic magazines and never imagined that I would start off my last semester of college on the Rio Negro in Brazil. For most of my education, I have learned about the Amazon rainforest in the context of preserving its future against deforestation, and now, having interacted with the people, places and wildlife that depend on its future, I feel connected to this cause.

When I heard about Salve’s short-term study abroad program to the Amazon, I was studying abroad in Cork, Ireland during the fall 2023 semester. Ireland is a country I always envisioned myself living in, and I realized that despite my living alone in a new country, I was still very much within my comfort zone. While I was gaining valuable perspectives on cultural differences during my semester abroad, I knew that an experience in Brazil would provide a different set of perspectives to offer my global education – which is one of the first reasons I pursued this experience.

The motor yacht Tucano.

During my time at Salve, I have rediscovered my love for the natural sciences, but I knew close to nothing about the ecological systems of the Amazon before embarking on this trip. Luckily for me, a cultural and historic preservation major, my peers who journeyed to the Rio Negro alongside me included majors in biology, psychology, business, environmental studies and some still exploring. Our group was both interdisciplinary and consisted of upper and underclassmen ready to jump into the unknown world of the Rio Negro aboard the motor yacht Tucano.

Our journey to the Amazon was made possible by Nature Tours, a Rhode Island-based organization out of Jamestown, led by Mark Baker. Founded in the 1980s as Amazonex Lumber Company, Baker’s organization began as a lumber business exporting tropical wood to the U.S. But over time, it transformed into Nature Tours, an organization dedicated to rainforest conservation.

“Our years in the forest convinced us that rainforest conservation was one of the most important goals of our time,” Baker said. This dedication has shaped Nature Tours into a leader in sustainable travel, providing immersive educational experiences that inspire a greater appreciation for the Amazon’s ecological and cultural significance.

Led by Dr. Jameson Chace, professor and chair of the Department of Cultural, Environmental and Global Studies, and accompanied by a very special guest participant, Sister Therese Antone, University chancellor and professor emerita in the Jean and David W. Wallace Department of Business and Economics, the week-long study abroad program leaned into our diverse backgrounds and created a thought-provoking learning environment for each of us.

The group journeying down the Rio Negro.

Expecting the unexpected

While our days were structured around similar activities, each day held something new and exciting for each of us. We experienced the full 12 hours of sunlight, and then more, when our day kicked off with a morning kayak or launch boat ride at 6 a.m. A hearty and colorful breakfast full of tropical fruit and Brazilian tradition followed our morning excursions. Our late mornings were different each day depending on location, but the revolving activities included jungle hikes, a visit to a remote village or simply observing wildlife from the observation deck of the Tucano. Each afternoon we got back on the small launch boats to observe the wild activity at dusk. One special afternoon was spent fishing for piranhas for our lunch the next day.

Piranha fishing. Newton (right) holding the piranhas caught by the group.

The daylight held many special moments of awe, but what I was surprised by was the nocturnal activity we were able to witness. Each action-packed day finished with a third and final launch boat ride after dinner in the dark. A completely distinct set of animals are active at night, and I was taken aback by how alive the rainforest is, even in its complete darkness.

Trees of the Amazon rainforest at night and an Amazon tree boa in the roots.

“I was so impressed by so many species collaborating, even if unintentionally, as a community in one place,” said biology major Marguerite George.

The harmony of the rainforest was inspiring, and a dynamic vision of the Sisters of Mercy’s critical concern for the earth. Each day we saw increasingly more, and realized how valuable each system of life is on Earth. After witnessing the intricacies and coevolution of an unending list of plant and animal species, it became clear to me why this far-off place in my National Geographic magazine from childhood was important for me to be immersed in.

The Amazon holds one-third of the world’s species, and our group observed 130 bird species in seven days. “There was never a moment without something to observe – whether it was the vibrant plant species or the fleeting sight of peculiar birds overhead, we were undoubtedly surrounded by the world’s most biodiverse ecosystem,” said environmental studies major Josef Powers.

Green-tailed Jacamar (left). Female Amazon Kingfisher (right).

Study abroad opportunities allow for dialogue on critical issues, like the conservation of the Amazon. “In addition to enjoying this special time with Salve students, I became much more aware of the potential devastation and destruction of our global ecosystems that can be caused through commercialism of fishing and agriculture in the region,” Sister Therese said. “I feel empowered to ask the big questions: How am I called to respond? How can we all use our lives and voices to help awaken people to reflect on lifestyles that negatively impact creation? How can we best commit to transformation at the personal and system level?”

Most of our week was spent surrounded by forest and rivers, but we were given the special opportunity to visit a village in the Cuiridque Bacaba area of the Rio Negro. Meeting with people who coexist with this wildlife and depend on the dynamic river systems of the Rio Negro added more depth to our experience than any of us could have imagined.

Sister Therese and Maeve Newton visiting a market in Manaus.

Kayla Brundage, a psychology major, recalled her experience during our visit. “All last summer I was eating cassava root in various forms, and I did not know that the Rio Negro was one of the places it was grown,” she said. “It was cool to see how it was processed in indigenous tradition. I thought cassava was a new culinary health trend in the U.S., but seeing it grown in this village was an incredible full-circle moment.”

Kayla Brundage peeling a cassava root in the local village.

Bringing Brazil home

Now having lived a full week in the heart of the Amazon Basin, I feel connected to its livelihood and future. Here, mercy transcends all languages, as its mission lived in all the people we learned from during our week on the Tucano. Our guides, Alex and Osmar, communicated a knowledge of the rainforest that is deeper than any of us could read in a textbook. Their ability to communicate its beauty, intricacy and wonder between the native language – Portuguese – and English without loss of meaning has made an impression on me.

Group exploring the Amazon rainforest.

“The Salve mercy mission calls us to be ‘stewards of God’s creation,'” Sister Therese said. “The significance of this challenge to live life in harmony with people and the earth was revealed in greater clarity after my participation in the trip to the Amazon. I felt very privileged to be a part of such an enriching experience with a group of wonderful students. The immersion into the richness and variety of life in the Amazon region provided an opportunity to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the variety of living organisms and species as well as the interdependence and interrelatedness of creation.”

Learning outside of the classroom has been the heartbeat of my education at Salve, and in reflection of all my experiential learning, I can honestly say that it has changed my life. Whether it is the people, pink dolphins, caimans, snakes, birds, insects or trees, I will think about what I learned from the Rio Negro for the rest of my life.

Newton and students kayaking down the Rio Negro.

To learn more about study abroad opportunities at Salve, visit the Center for Global Education and Fellowships’ webpage or Instagram for more information on programs and application deadlines.


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Business and Economics  / Featured  / News
Salve Regina receives $12 million from Wallace Foundation to expand business learning
salvetoday Posted On February 11, 2025


Salve Regina has received a $12 million gift from the Jean and David W. Wallace Foundation, which focuses on creating innovative experiences in business with the naming of the Jean and David W. Wallace Department of Business and Economics. It also supports the creation of the Anita and Robert R. Young Department Chair within the newly named department.

The department endowment will be used to expand business student and faculty participation in conferences, competitions, economic impact studies and entrepreneurial initiatives, and to fund new experiential learning opportunities for all students at the University through the Salve Compass program.

The gift is the latest of many from the Wallace Foundation, the University’s most generous benefactor, with donations of more than $24.6 million that span generations. Naming the Jean and David W. Wallace Department of Business and Economics honors that ongoing support. The business and economics program is one of the University’s fastest growing, serving the largest number of majors, 27% of the student body.

In naming the department chair, the Wallace Foundation honors the role that Anita and Robert R. Young, neighbors to Salve’s historic campus, played in establishing the special relationship between Salve Regina and the Wallace family and encouraging their active role in the University’s evolution.

Anne Wallace Juge, a Salve Regina trustee, and Mary Wallace Strizek, foundation co-presidents, designed the gift specifically to honor their parents’ love of Salve Regina and their commitment to the University’s mission to provide students with the values and skills needed to make a positive difference in the world.

“We are grateful to recognize our parents and the Youngs together with Salve’s expanding business and economics department,” Juge said. “It is an honor to be serving on the Salve board.”

“Our father considered Robert Young a dear friend and mentor, and our families remained close throughout their lives,” Strizek said. “We are so pleased to honor them together in this way at Salve and know they would be proud to be part of the accomplishments of new generations of Salve students.”

In addition to the expansion of programs within the David W. Wallace Department of Business and Economics, the Wallace family’s recent gift supported initial strategic planning, design and launch of the Salve Compass program. This signature experience spans all four years in which every student learns the skills and knowledge to succeed in college and the job market, with a focus on hands-on, real-world experiences.

“The value of the Wallace family’s gifts to the University cannot be overstated. We would not be where we are without them,” said Kelli J. Armstrong, Salve Regina president. “This latest gift will help us strengthen the business and economics department with lecture series, scale up our experiential learning, support faculty projects and stay up to date on the needs our students will fill for communities when they graduate. It positions us to provide opportunities that build real-world readiness for all.”


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