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Faculty/Staff  / Mercy Mission
Mercy Mondays: Faculty, staff invited to attend inaugural Living Mercy Retreat at beautiful seaside location
salvetoday Posted On March 6, 2023


The Office of Mission Integration invites Salve Regina’s faculty and staff to register for the inaugural Living Mercy Retreat, which will be held Sunday, June 4, through Tuesday, June 6.

This multi-day retreat will give Salve Regina’s faculty and staff the opportunity to share in mindful reflection, prayer, dialogue and community and to explore the charism of mercy within their leadership, teaching and service.

The retreat will take place at Mercy by the Sea Retreat and Conference Center in Madison, Connecticut, approximately 90 minutes from Salve Regina. This oasis is rooted in the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy and located on 33 acres along the Long Island Sound, with ample beachfront, a labyrinth, a short woodland trail and a small-forested wetland area.

Individual rooms will be provided for each participant, and twenty fully funded spots are available for Salve Regina faculty and staff.

The retreat will be facilitated by Sister Sheila Carney, RSM, with a leadership team of Salve Regina faculty and staff. Sister Sheila is special assistant to the president for Mercy Heritage at Carlow University in Pittsburgh, and vice-postulator for the cause for canonization for Catherine McAuley in the Americas.

This inaugural faculty and staff Living Mercy Retreat is made possible through the Professional Development Grant awarded to Salve Regina University from the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE) and is co-sponsored by Salve Regina’s Center for Teaching and Learning.

Faculty and staff may register here. For more information, please reach out to missionintegration@salve.edu.


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News  / Salve Success
Salve Success: Caitlin Poplawski ’09 becomes Newport police department’s first LGBTQ+ liaison
salvetoday Posted On March 2, 2023


Caitlin Poplawski ’09 recently became the City of Newport police department’s first official LGBTQ+ liaison. With this position, Poplawski aims to ensure that the LGBTQ+ community feels safe in the City of Newport, especially when they need help.

This job is a culmination of a dream Poplawski had for many years of being a police officer and truly helping those in need.

Choosing Salve Regina

Caitlin Poplawski, who grew up in New Britain, Connecticut, loved to go to the beach, and the location of Newport, Rhode Island, had always really stuck out to her.

Poplawski had visited the area multiple times, but she remembers one particular moment when it finally clicked for her that she wanted Newport to be her new home — and to attend Salve Regina. It happened during one of the famous St. Patrick’s Day Parades, which are hosted yearly in downtown Newport.

“I came down for the parade, and it was snowing,” explained Poplawski. “It was so beautiful, and I was like, ‘I love it here.'”

During her time at Salve Regina, Poplawski majored in criminal justice and criminology with a minor in psychology. She also played intramural basketball and was a member of the women’s softball team for all four years of her undergraduate career.

Poplawski on the women’s softball team.

Vincent Petrarca, senior lecturer in the department of criminal justice and criminology, stands out to Poplawski as an important influence during her time at Salve Regina.

“He was so great, and he helped me with what I wanted to do with my career,” said Poplawski. “He was always an advocate for me and has been a good resource I could reach out to with any questions.”

Becoming Newport’s first LGTBQ+ liaison

Towards the end of her Salve Regina career, Poplawski knew that she really wanted to be a police officer. However, she didn’t feel quite ready for it and decided to work at a physical therapy clinic in Middletown, Rhode Island after graduation. During her four years there, police officers would frequent the office for various ailments, and Poplawski would talk to them about her Salve Regina undergraduate degree. Eventually, these officers encouraged her to go for it.

Poplawski went on to graduate from the Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy and became a patrol officer. As a newbie, she worked the late watch, then moved to the early watch for a couple of years. After that, Poplawski was promoted to the accreditation office and was promoted again to being a detective in the juvenile division.

During her time in this detective position, Newport Out, an organization that aims to make Newport an inviting place for those in the LGTBQ+ community, reached out to Poplawski and asked if she wanted to be a resource at the department. Poplawski had many conversations and meetings with the community policing unit about what this position could look.

“There’s no written rule of what this can or does entail,” explained Poplawski. “I’m just trying to be a resource for whoever needs police assistance and isn’t comfortable talking to officers in a uniform.”

Poplawski is excited to make this into something that can help people. She is also aware of some reservations the LGTBQ+ community has with police officers because of difficult historical issues.

“I hope I can show that although we wear a uniform, we are all human beings,” said Poplawski. “We all want to help people, which is why we became police officers.”

In the future, Poplawski hopes to see other departments get liaisons for other marginalized communities. Community-oriented policing is at the top of Newport’s list, according to Poplawski.

“If I help even one person, that’s great,” reflected Poplawski. “And if I can help even more people be comfortable walking into the police station … without judgment, then that is the ultimate goal.”

Article written by student writer Morgan Rizzo ’23

Salve Success is a series of student success stories periodically featured on SALVEtoday. Check out the tag Salve Success for more stories.


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Student Life
Applications for undergraduate scholarships now open for fall 2023
salvetoday Posted On March 1, 2023


Between now and Friday, March 31, all rising sophomores, juniors and seniors who will be returning for the 2023-24 academic year are encouraged to apply for a variety of scholarships.

The Salve Regina Endowed Scholarships are based on a wide criteria — from different majors and interests to community service and personal triumphs. Many of the Salve Regina scholarships were created by the generous alumni, families and friends of the University to help benefit students so that they can continue their success while here.

Students are encouraged to explore the scholarship application, which lists different criteria and descriptions of available scholarships. If anyone has questions, please reach out to the Office of Financial Aid at (401) 341-2901. Students can also find a variety of information on the office’s website.

Scholarship notifications will be sent in May 2023 and will appear on students’ 2023-24 financial aid offers.

Featured photo is of Salve Regina student George Corrigan ’22, who received the 2020-21 Endowed Scholarship in Visual Art.


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Event Coverage  / News
Pell Center lecture on American democracy, Ukraine moved to March 7
salvetoday Posted On February 27, 2023


Editor’s Note: This event was scheduled for Feb. 28, but it has been moved to Tuesday, March 7, due to weather concerns. 

Max Boot, a New York Times bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize finalist, will be giving a lecture hosted by the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy. The lecture, entitled “Risks to American Democracy,” will be held on Tuesday, March, at 7 p.m. in the Bazarsky Lecture Hall in O’Hare Academic Building.

This lecture is open to the Salve Regina community, as well as the public. To register, go here.  

Over the last two years, the battle for democracy has raged from the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., to the streets of Kiev, Ukraine. National security columnist and historian Max Boot explores this moment in human history and offers insights about the health of the American republic and path forward in Ukraine.

Boot is a New York Times bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize finalist for “The Road Not Taken: Edward Lansdale and the American Tragedy in Vietnam.” He has also written multiple other highly acclaimed boots, and he is currently writing his second biography, which will be focusing on Ronald Reagan. Boot is also a senior fellow for national security studies for the Council on Foreign Relations and a columnist for The Washington Post.

Before these roles, Boot was a foreign policy analyst with CNN and has made appearances on numerous television and radio programs. For his work as an analyst, he has been recognized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies as the world’s leading authority on armed conflict. 

Boot holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of California, Berkeley and a master’s degree in history from Yale University. 

This event is in partnership with Salve Regina University John E. McGinty Fund in History; the Office of Multicultural Programs and Retention; the cultural, environmental and global studies program; the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies; and the League of Women Voters of Newport County.

This lecture will be held on Tuesday, March 7, at 7 p.m. To register for this event, go here. 


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Event Coverage  / Mercy Mission  / News
Mercy Mondays: Upcoming community service opportunities for March 2023
salvetoday Posted On February 27, 2023


The Center for Community Engagement and Service is offering many service opportunities for students — both ongoing ones throughout the semester and ones that happen only in the month of March. Opportunities include gardening, a nursing home, a 10k race and more.

To register, find out more information or view all service opportunities for upcoming months, visit the Center for Community Engagement and Service’s website.

The list on the website is constantly being updated with additional opportunities, so keep checking back.

Ongoing opportunities

On call snow shoveling volunteers

Volunteers who have shovels and their own cars, are needed to be on call for shoveling local areas on the Island. Once it snows, volunteers will by notified by email or phone call with the locations to shovel.

St. Augustin’s Choir volunteers

St. Augustin’s Church in Newport, is in need of volunteers to help sing in the weekly Sunday 9:30 a.m. masses. Volunteers would be responsible for learning and listening to the recordings of music before each Sunday. No transportation provided.

Bike Newport volunteers

Reliable and responsible volunteers who enjoy working with bikes are needed this spring semester at Bike Newport. Volunteers would be helping weekly with general bike cleaning, programs, and more. This site is located on the trolley line. If someone is interested in volunteering at Bike Newport, contact Allyson McCalla at allyson@bikenewportri.org.

Housing Hotline: Crafty Crochet volunteers

Volunteers who know how to crochet or are willing to learn are needed weekly on Wednesdays in Gerety Hall from 1-2 p.m. to help make small stuffed animals for children in need. If you are interested or would like more details, please email community.services@salve.edu.

Norman Bird Sanctuary: Mabel’s Garden volunteers

Volunteers who have their own cars and like to garden are needed at Norman Bird Sanctuary on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. If anyone is interested, contact Joseph McLaughlin at (401) 846-2577 or jmclaughlin@normanbirdsanctuary.org.

Fab Golf volunteers

Reliable and responsible volunteers with their own cars are needed for FabNewport’s FabGOLF program. Volunteers are needed to help weekly Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-5 p.m. teaching middle school kids how to golf. Volunteers should have experience in golf or a strong interest in teaching golf. Volunteers who are interested should reach out to Orlando Peace orlando@fabnewport.org.

John Clarke Senior Living nursing home volunteers

Reliable and responsible volunteers with their own cars are needed to help at the John Clarke Senior Living nursing home with daily activities. Volunteers are needed to read to residents, do puzzles with them, play games and even bring their own interests in to share with residents. As the weather gets warmer and residents move outside, there will be some activities out in the courtyard such as gardening, paint parties and cookouts. Volunteers who are interested and want to learn more should reach out to Beth Finnegan at bfinnegan@jcrcri.org or by phone (401) 846-0743.

Gods Community Garden volunteers

Reliable and responsible volunteers with their own cars are needed at Gods Community Garden for winter harvesting. Preferred volunteers hours are Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. If anyone is interested in volunteering at the gardens, contact Linda Wood at  lswwood@gmail.com.

Seamen’s Church Institute general volunteers

Reliable and responsible volunteers are needed to help at Seamen’s Institute with daily office tasks. Volunteers are needed to help file, sort, shred and work in the archives. Preferred volunteers hours are once a week, any day between Wednesday to Friday. Hours are from Noon to 3 p.m. This site is located on the trolley line. If anyone is interested in volunteering at the Seamen’s Institute Newport, contact Tara Gnolfo at tara@seamensnewport.org.

Revive The Roots greenhouse volunteers

Reliable and responsible volunteers with their own cars are needed to help in the greenhouse at Revive The Roots. All volunteers can signup for their specific shift. If anyone is interested in learning more about volunteering at Revive The Roots, contact Annie Bayer at annie@revivetheroots.org.

March opportunities

Saturday, March 4: Clean Ocean Access Cleanup at Fort Wetherill

Volunteers are needed at Fort Wetherill in Jamestown from 10 a.m. to Noon to clean up the beach. COA no longer requires sign up before volunteers arrive at cleanups. Volunteers may either sign up online in advance or show up at the cleanup and sign a waiver on site. Location is 51 Fort Wetherill Road, Jamestown, Rhode Island. No transportation is not provided.

Tuesday, March 14 and Tuesday, March 21: Aquidneck Community Table gardening

Volunteers are needed to help at Great Friends Community Garden with Aquidneck Community Table from 2-3:30 p.m. Volunteers should meet at 21 Farewell Ave in Newport, Rhode Island, and prepare gardens for the spring. Volunteers should dress for weather, as this event is outside. This site is located on the trolley line.

On Fridays, March 17, 24, and 31: Edward King House Rise N’ Shine Breakfast

Volunteers are needed from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. to help Edward King House Senior Center with their Rise N’ Shine Breakfast program. Volunteers will assist with making the meal, serving the meal and interacting with older adults. Students should consult the trolley line.

Wednesday, March 22: St. Paul’s Meal Prep from 1-4 p.m. or 4:30-6 p.m.

Volunteers who are responsible and reliable with their own car are needed from 1-4 p.m. or 4:30-6 p.m. to help meal prep spaghetti and meatballs for St. Paul’s United Methodist Church community meal. Volunteers will prepare meal in the Mercy Center for Spiritual Life’s kitchen and drive to St. Paul’s to drop off the meal.

Sunday, March 26: Gray Matter Marketing Aquidneck 10K

Volunteers are needed from 8:45-10:45 a.m. to help with race prep and finish area. Volunteers should dress for weather, as this event is outside. The finish area will be at second beach parking lot area. All volunteers will meet at the Easton’s Beach main lot, locally known as Second Beach’s, main lot. Transportation not provided.

Wednesday, March 29: Aquidneck Community Table Gardening at Bike Barn

Volunteers are needed from 12:30-2 p.m. at the Big Blue Bike Barn & Florence Gray Community Garden with Aquidneck Community Table to prepare gardens for the spring. Volunteers should meet at 20 Sunset Blvd in Newport, Rhode Island. Volunteers should dress for weather as this event is outside. This site is on the trolley line.

To register, find out more information or view all service opportunities for upcoming months, visit the Center for Community Engagement and Service’s website.

Featured photo is from a past service experience. 


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Event Coverage  / News
Spring 2023’s Multicultural Education Week brings exciting new changes
salvetoday Posted On February 22, 2023


Multicultural Education Week (MEW) takes place every semester at Salve Regina as an opportunity to bring up topics around diversity and inclusion, and this spring 2023’s lineup of events offers a variety of speakers, panel discussions and performances to highlight important issues. The week runs Sunday, Feb. 26, through Friday, March 3. 

Organizers of this semester’s Multicultural Education Week are offering a fresh, exciting new way to approach the week. This is seen particularly with the performance by the Zuzu Acrobats and the Multicultural Festival, which will be offering a more in-depth celebration of Africa through food, dance and a fashion show.

“In the past, we’ve shone a bright light on many different cultures, but this semester we wanted to experience a more precise region of the world,” said Dhana Hinds ’23, an administration of justice major and an intern in the Office of Multicultural Programs and Retention. “This semester MEW is going to be explosive. We will be able to really immerse you in the cultures of Africa and make you feel like you’re really there. No one is going to want to miss this.”

This idea has been incorporated with feedback from students across campus. Moving forward, the desire is to highlight continents during each Multicultural Education Week, which will help students walk away with more knowledge around specific regions of the world.

“MEW has been effective in presenting a diverse sample of cultures from around the world, but by covering so much ground we were limited in many aspects in the selection of information to be presented,” said Maria Barragan ’26, a global studies major and a work-study student in the Office of Multicultural Programs and Retention. “This new model will allow the students at Salve Regina to have the time and sources to learn more than surface level facts about cultures around the world.”

Below is the lineup of speakers and events to help students, faculty and staff join in on cross-cultural conversations that breech subjects that the Salve Regina community and the world need to be talking about.  

All events can be registered for here. 

Multicultural Mass
Sunday, Feb. 26, 5-6 p.m.
Our Lady of Mercy Chapel 

Start off Multicultural Education Week with the Salve Regina community at a multilingual mass. This mass will feature diverse readings and songs in English, French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese. 

Keynote Speaker: Minal Bopaiah and Connecting Across Our Intersectional Differences
Monday, Feb. 27, 7-9 p.m.
Bazarsky Lecture Hall 

Award winning author and IDEA practitioner Minal Bopaiah will explore the concept of personal identity and the importance of understanding your personal background when speaking with people of different, intersectional identities. Through an engaging conversation, Bopaiah will help the audience develop a deeper self-awareness. 

Speaker: Max Boot and the Risks to American Democracy

Editor’s Note: This event has been moved to Tuesday, March 7, and no longer takes place during Multicultural Education Week due to weather concerns. More information on this event can be found in a SALVEtoday story. 

In partnership with the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy, Max Boot, a bestselling author, is bringing this knowledge to the table to discuss the risks to democracy across the world.

Performer: Zuzu Acrobats and a 2,000-Year-Old Tradition
Wednesday, March 1, 7-8:30 p.m.
Location: TBA  

The Zuzu Acrobats are cultural ambassadors of the Baba Watoto Centre that use dance, music, theater, drawing and acrobatics as healing methods for personal trauma. This performance will illustrate how arts and culture have a transformative effect on society. 

Panel Discussion: Conversations across culture
Thursday, March 2, 7-9 p.m.
Bazarsky Lecture Hall  

Panelists will engage in cross-cultural conversations between black and white communities throughout history through the lens of U.S policies in academia. This panel discussion will highlight cultural differences while providing insight on how to pave the way to a culturally inclusive campus. 

Multicultural Festival Celebrates Africa 
Friday, March 3, 7-11 p.m.
Ochre Court 

Join the Salve Regina community for a night of cultural exploration and enjoy the cuisine of Africa. The Multicultural Festival will highlight the resilience of Black culture in Africa through warmth, celebration and acceptance. The festival will be showcasing local community and Salve Regina talents with a focus on African culture.  

All events can be registered for here. 

Multicultural Education Week is sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Programs and Retention; the Office of Student Engagement; the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy; the Office of Residence Life; the Department of Music, Theatre and Dance; the Mercy Center for Spiritual Life; the Campus Activities Board; the Black Student Union; the Hispanic & Latinx Student Organization; the Multicultural Student Organization and the Student Government Association.


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Arts and Humanities  / News
Hamilton Gallery hosts exhibit exploring a paint by numbers aesthetic
salvetoday Posted On February 21, 2023


The Dorrance H. Hamilton Gallery is pleased to announce the opening of a new group art exhibit entitled “Do or Don’t Do It Yourself: A Paint by Number Show.” The gallery will run Thursday, Feb. 23, through Thursday, March 30, and an opening reception with several of the included artists is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 23, at 5:30 p.m.

The show is curated by Kirstin Lamb, adjunct faculty in the Department of Art and Art History and spring 2023’s guest gallery manager.

“Do or Don’t Do It Yourself” gathers artists working with painting, sculpture, textiles, and drawing to explore the paint by number aesthetic as it has influenced a range of contemporary American artists.

“Paint by numbers force people to ask the question, ‘If anyone can make it, why is it art? And why should an artist be interested?'” said Lamb. “It is at once an emblem of mindless conformity and leisure time, as well as the machine age and the possibilities of collaboration with the machine.”

Despite its purported bad reputation, the aesthetic of paint by number continues to inspire artists, according to Lamb. This is because paint by number democratizes painting, heralding that magical moment when anyone can become a painter.

“As a curator and an artist, I find myself gravitating to work that I feel is in some way influenced by the paint by number — either its high color and hard edges or its readymade order-from-the-internet art objects,” said Lamb. “Anyone can get photographs printed as canvases of number gridded textiles, plans for embroideries, paintings and more, thanks to the advancements in printing, graphics and 3D printing.”

Artists exhibiting work include Will Hutnick, an artist who heads up the art program at the Wassaic Project Artist Residency in Amenia, New York; Teresa Cox, an artist from the Minneapolis, Minnesota area; and Kate Bae, an artist from New York City.

The local community might also recognize work by Salve Regina’s own Jodie Mim Goodnough, associate professor in the Department of Art and Art History.

The show will force attendees to contemplate what is possible now that artists can use computers to generate patterns that were once only done by hand. What does a paint by number become in the digital age, and what does it symbolize? Why would an artist want to use that symbolism and aesthetic?

“Blue Hills” by Theresa Cox.

“Fallout” by Jodie Mim Goodnough.

“As an artist and curator … I am looking for evidence of the machine, the aesthetic of the edges of the form,” said Lamb. “We have easy access to photo processing programs in our computers and phones, and that changes our visual lexicon — high color and sharp edges spend a greater time in our field of view.”

All artists who are participating are listed below:

Kate Bae
Jenny Brown
Katie Commodore
Teresa Cox
Marjorie Hellman
Lori Larusso
Ghost of A Dream
Will Hutnick
Jodie Mim Goodnough
Karl LaRocca
J. Myszka Lewis
Jerry Mischak
Kristen Schiele
Jen Shepard
Michelle Weinberg
Lauren Whearty
Jamie Vasta

The Dorrance H. Hamilton Gallery is located in the Antone Academic Center on the campus of Salve Regina. It is handicap accessible with parking along Lawrence Avenue and Leroy Avenue. Its exhibits are open to the public 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. The gallery is closed on Mondays.

For the run of this show, the gallery will be closed during Spring Break from Saturday, March 11 to Sunday, March 19.

“And You Can Tell Everybody” by Will Hutnick. 


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Event Coverage  / Student Life
Senior political science majors present, defend research projects
salvetoday Posted On February 21, 2023


The Department of Political Science and International Relations will hold its 54th annual presentation and defense of senior research on Saturday, Feb. 25, and Saturday, March 4, from 9 a.m. to Noon in O’Hare Academic Building, Room 260.

Eight senior political science majors are scheduled to present and defend their research. Staff, faculty and students are welcome to attend, as well as the public. There will also be an opportunity for a Q&A.

The schedule is:

Saturday, Feb. 25
9 a.m. to Noon

  • Steven Passodelis, “The Political Philosophy of Thomas Paine: How Paine’s Moral, Political and Economic Beliefs Share Common Themes”
  • Jesse Lagrosa, “Warrantless Aerial Surveillance by Drones: The Alarming Capabilities of Drones”
  • Christopher H. Minchin, “Broken Windows Theory in New York City: How Statistics Prove that Stop-and-Frisk is not a Racist Practice”
  • Megan Busby, “The Establishment Clause: Everson’s Proposal for Separationism”

Saturday, March 4
9 a.m. to Noon

  • Meghan Mills, “Why Americans Called for Prohibition: Overindulgence in Alcohol”
  • Tyler-Joseph McPhee, “California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018: Concerns for Third-Party Access”
  • Allayth Youssef Saleh, “Parker v. Flook: The Paradox of Legal Minds Legislating Scientific Investigations”
  • Joseph Morrissey, “Chinese Expansionism in the South China Sea and Artificial Islands: The Diplomatic and Strategic Threat to the United States”

Featured photo by Getty Images/designer491


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Event Coverage  / News
Pell Center roundtable will focus on U.S. – Africa relations
salvetoday Posted On February 21, 2023


The Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy will be hosting another roundtable discussion Friday, Feb. 24, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., in O’Hare Academic Building, Room 121. This discussion is entitled, “Pell Center Roundtable: U.S. – Africa Relations: Will the U.S. Maintain Its Relevance in Africa?”

Dr. Yvan Ilunga

Roundtable discussions are open to students, faculty and staff at Salve Regina. The Pell Center will provide a free lunch. Space is limited, so please RSVP to pellcenter@salve.edu to secure a spot.  

The Biden administration recently developed a more detailed strategy towards Sub-Saharan Africa with the aim to re-engage the continent on a win-win basis.

Key questions to ask as this strategy is adopted are: Will this actually work? How do U.S. goals fit into Africa’s priorities? Who are the important players in this strategy, and why is this happening only now?

Dr. Yvan Ilunga, assistant professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations, will try to unpack these questions and more as he helps the University community assess best approaches or alternatives to sustaining U.S. interests without jeopardizing Africa’s own needs.

If interested in this roundtable, please RSVP to pellcenter@salve.edu.

Featured photo by Getty Images/Anson_iStock


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Athletics  / Salve Success
Salve Success: Johnny Mulera ’24, Mitch Walinski ’23 earn silver medals at FISU World University Games
salvetoday Posted On February 16, 2023


Johnny Mulera ’24, a major in business administration, and Mitch Walinski ’23, a criminal justice major, have a lot in common. They both were transfer students to Salve Regina, they are hockey players, and they had the honor of competing on the U.S. men’s ice hockey team for the 2023 International University Sports Federation (FISU) World University Games in Lake Placid, New York, in Jan. 2023.

While at the FISU World University Games, the two helped the U.S. win its first ever silver medal in hockey. The U.S. hasn’t medalled since the 1972 edition of the games, when they won a bronze medal.

From the transfer portal to the ice

After his first semester at another school, Walinkski decided to find a better fit. Once in the transfer portal for ice hockey, Walinksi was able to talk to coaches — and Zech Klann, Salve Regina’s head coach of men’s ice hockey, was one of the first to reach out.

“It seemed like he really cared about me, and that was something I looked for in a coach,” explained Walinski. “I wanted a coach who cared for their players and checked in on how they were doing.”

Walinksi knew the ice hockey program at Salve Regina had a good reputation, and he had friends who played here. It just felt like it was the right decision.

      Johnny Mulera ’24 (right) Mitch Walinski ’23 (left)

Mulera also had a great experience when Klann reached out to him. He noted that Klann stayed in constant touch with Mulera throughout the transfer process, making the transfer less stressful and giving him confidence that he was making the right choice.

“When I came during my visit, I really liked the school,” described Mulera. “It’s a great program that has allowed me to develop on and off the ice.”

The road to FISU World University Games

The FISU World University Games is a collegiate multi-sports winter tournament that brings university teams from across the world together to compete.

Around Thanksgiving in 2022, Klann called both Walinksi and Mulera to tell them that they were on a list to possibly be a part of the U.S. men’s ice hockey team. The coaches were picking all 23 men from the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Division III teams.

The final call came in early December 2022, and Walinski and Mulera were stoked to go.

The Salve Regina men’s ice hockey team had a game versus Curry College on a Saturday night, and early the next morning Walinksi and Mulera drove to practice for the U.S. team.

Mulara (right) during the FISU World University Games.

Walinski during the FISU World University Games.

Walinski and Mulera describe the FISU World University Games as the best hockey experience in their careers thus far.

“Lake Placid was such a cool experience given its hockey history,” explained Walinski. “Being able to play in front of 8,000 people at the Miracle Rink is something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”

The U.S. team played seven games with a 5-2 record, and they received a silver medal.

“I never expected to be able to wear the USA jersey,” explained Mulera. “To be able to do that was really special, and it’s something I will never forget.”

New lifetime friendships and memories

The students spent two weeks total at the games practicing, competing, and meeting other players from around the world. Walinski and Mulera enjoyed hearing stories from other college hockey players and learning about their experiences.

“After playing hockey with each other and being together all day, we learned a lot about each other,” explained Walinski.

Mulera in action during the FISU World University Games.

The U.S. team grew from watching the National Football Championships the second night — where no one would talk — to becoming close friends who bonded and earned silver medals.

Walinksi and Mulera also described getting close with Japan and Korea’s teams. They found themselves playing cards, ping pong and Jenga with them every night by the end of the trip.

“I created great friendships that will last forever,” said Mulera.

Looking towards their futures post-graduation, Walinski and Mulera hope to take hockey as far as they can go. Both want to pursue a future in hockey and would love to play in a professional league.

Article written by student writer Morgan Rizzo ’23

Salve Success is a series of student success stories periodically featured on SALVEtoday. Check out the tag Salve Success for more stories.

Featured photo is of Walinski (center) celebrating during the FISU World University Games.


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