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Event Coverage  / News
Renowned scholar Jack Halberstam is keynote speaker for Mercy Summit on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
salvetoday Posted On April 2, 2024


On Friday, April 12, Salve Regina will host its annual Mercy Summit on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the O’Hare Academic Building. This event is sponsored by the Presidential Commission on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and it is the University’s hope that the summit will see wide participation from the campus community.

The University’s goals with the summit are to utilize a common framework for understanding others by intentionally engaging in cross-cultural interactions, developing strategies that advance diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) work across campus, and exchanging ideas in a nonjudgmental way.

For a full schedule, go to the summit’s webpage.

Keynote speaker for 2024

The keynote speaker for 2024 will be Jack Halberstam, renowned scholar and director of the Institute for Research on Women, Gender and Sexuality at Columbia University. Halberstam is the author of many books that explore gender identity, including works like “Female Masculinity,” “In A Queer Time and Place,” “The Queer Art of Failure,” and “Gaga Feminism: Sex, Gender, and the End of Normal.”

Halberstam has been nominated three times for Lambda Literary Awards — twice for his most well-known book “Female Masculinity,” which sought to explore the idea of masculinity within society and the individual. Halberstam was also awarded the Arcus/Places Prize in 2018 from Places Journal for innovative public scholarship on the relationship between gender, sexuality and the built environment.

Jack Halberstam

What to expect at the summit

The Mercy Summit on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is meant for staff, faculty and students, so anyone who is part of the Salve Regina community can participate.

The morning’s events will begin at 8:15 a.m. with an optional continental breakfast, but the summit itself starts at 9 a.m. The keynote speaker, who is highlighted below, will be followed by breakout sessions for further dialogue around topics presented in the keynote.

After the breakout sessions, the participants in the 2023-24 Intercultural Competence Development Program (ICDP) and Advanced ICDP will have a presentation and awards ceremony.

Salve staff and students participated in the Mercy Summit for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on April 28, 2023.

Lunch will be provided at noon. After the lunch, there will be a number of breakout afternoon educational sessions where staff, faculty and students can pick which topics they’d like to learn more about. The topics range from developing culturally responsive teachers, gender identity and mental health, and more.

Participants can sign up for the morning, and they must also sign up for each breakout session in the afternoon that they might like to attend.

In Salve’s Strategic Compass, the University identified “inclusive community” as one of the key components of a Salve Regina education. Events such as the summit create settings for Salve to engage in meaningful dialogue about how the University can achieve inclusivity at Salve Regina as it strives to continually improve as a mercy institution.

For a full schedule and to register for the morning as well as the breakout sessions, go to the summit’s webpage.

Salve staff and faculty participate in a break out session during the summit on April 28, 2023.


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Salve Spotlights  / Student Life
Jackelin Ramos ’24 aims to work in healthcare and become medical interpreter
salvetoday Posted On April 2, 2024


Jackelin Ramos ’24, a major in biology and biomedical sciences with a chemistry minor, is the president of the Multicultural Student Organization (MSO), a senator on the Student Government Association (SGA) and a resident advisor. Combining science and her passion for multicultural awareness, Ramos plans to become a medical interpreter and a nurse someday.

Choosing Salve

Ramos is originally from Central Falls, Rhode Island. While she never got to tour Salve in person, her sister had travelled to Newport and got to witness a tour – and the photos were enough to convince Ramos it was a place worth looking into further.

After doing a lot of personal research, Ramos liked how Salve offered small classroom sizes and how specific the biology curriculum was. The more she looked into it, Ramos knew that the school was going to be everything she wanted – and she chose biology and biomedical sciences as a major, because she knew that would make it easier to get into healthcare later on.

Jackelin Ramos ’24 and her family.

Getting a degree in biology is not an easy task, but Ramos stuck to it, even though there were moments she felt like giving up. But it’s the friendships she’s made along the way that helped her realize she could do it no matter the obstacles.

“I think that’s one of my favorite things about Salve — the joyful moments — because I can easily make new friendships,” Ramos said.

Getting involved in student life

During orientation, Ramos met with the Multicultural Office of Multicultural Programs and Retention and became part of the office’s “I Believe I Can” mentorship opportunity. Ramos secured a work study job with the office. Ramos’ mentor was a part of the Hispanic and Latinx Student Organization and introduced Ramos to the Multicultural Student Organization. She joined the MSO, climbed up the ladder and was asked if she wanted to go for one of the board positions. Ramos started as a secretary, then as vice president and is now president.

Many of her friends also motivated her to be in the SGA starting her sophomore year, and Ramos has been a senator ever since.

Along with her mentors and friends, Ramos credits Rose Albert, associate director of the Office of Multicultural Programs and Retention, as being her role model while at Salve.

“Albert was always been there from the beginning, and she always helping hold me accountable when it came to grades and trying new things,” said Ramos. “She’s kept me sane and helped motivate me to push forward and make it to graduation,” Ramos said.

Ramos (far right) with Salve friends who’ve encouraged her along the way to graduation.

Future aspirations as medical interpreter 

Ramos plans to be in a healthcare position where she can help people of color with language barriers and get better healthcare access within the medical system. She’s already done things like help with a free dental clinic, where she interpreted for Spanish speakers.

“I helped Spanish speakers fill out paperwork and explain to them how they should fill out the form,” Ramos said. “It was very rewarding, because the language barrier can be so hard when it comes to the complications of medical care.”

After she graduates, Ramos she hopes to get into a medical interpreter program to get certified. Ramos is excited to help translate questions and answers between people who speak English and Spanish. The professional process of being certified as an interpreter in a medical setting would also include how to say surgical words, being able to ask the patients about their medical history and getting the proper training on exact translations.

After that, Ramos she also hopes to become certified as a medical assistant or as a phlebotomist, so that she can gain patient care hours and work towards becoming a nurse.

Article written by student writer Ridhika Patil ’27

Salve Spotlights is a series of people-centered stories periodically featured on SALVEtoday. Check out the tag Salve Spotlights for more stories.


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Arts and Humanities  / Event Coverage  / News
Teenage musicians are invited to attend the Newport Jazz Summer Camp
salvetoday Posted On March 26, 2024


For any high schooler who has a love for jazz, registration is now officially open for the 2024 Newport Jazz Summer Camp at Salve Regina. This week-long summer camp will take place from Sunday, July 28 through Saturday, August 3, 2024. Students aged 14-18 will learn directly from experienced music educators during the week, and they will also attend the legendary Newport Jazz Festival — the grandfather of modern-day music festivals — on August 2-3.

While Salve’s Newport Jazz Summer Camp has been going on for years, Salve Regina and the Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc., the organization that runs the Newport Jazz Fest, created more of an official partnership for the jazz camp in 2023.

“This official collaboration means that the Newport Festivals Foundation provides financial aid for students who normally wouldn’t have this type of opportunity,” said Peter Davis, executive director of the Newport Jazz Summer Camp and professor of music at Salve. “This provides an incredible way for any high schooler out there who might want to attend.”

With this collaboration, jazz camp students get an even larger and more in-depth experience than ever before. Last summer, the jazz camp had 52 high school students attend, leading to invaluable community connections within the camp. They even performed on stage during the Newport Jazz Fest for the first time ever — a tradition that will also be an element in this year’s jazz camp.

Jazz camp attendees performed for the first time ever on the Foundation Stage last summer 2023.

Jazz camp participants are also able to be mentored by jazz artists that are performing at the Newport Jazz Festival, which is a dream come true for any aspiring musician.

“The artistic director of the jazz festival, Christian McBride, came by camp for a few hours on Thursday last year, and he talked with them about being a professional jazz musician, what you should do, and how to work with other people,” Davis described. “The students also went to workshops on the festival grounds. It’s just a wonderful experience for a high school student.”

The application deadline is July 10. Financial assistance opportunities are available. For more information, go here or contact jazzcamp@salve.edu.


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Featured  / News  / Salve Spotlights  / Science and Technology  / Student Life
Amanda Greco ’24 will present two diverse projects at SRyou Student Exposition
salvetoday Posted On March 26, 2024


The SRyou Student Exposition is just two weeks away, with a date of Wednesday, April 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Each year, Salve Regina’s campus comes alive with the energy of creative and academic exploration as students from diverse disciplines gather to share their passions, research findings and artistic endeavors. From groundbreaking research in environmental sustainability to captivating performances in the arts, the SRyou Student Exposition celebrates the unique contributions and achievements of Salve Regina’s students.

In the interview below, Amanda Greco ’24, a biochemistry major with a music minor, discusses the key details of her two SRyou Student Exposition projects that allow her to share her passions for both music and medicine.

The SRYou Student Exposition is also still looking for volunteers to help during the day of the event. If anyone is interested, they can contact Natalie Cote, the SRyou Student Exposition planning committee chairwoman, at natalie.cote@salve.edu. Volunteers can be staff, faculty or students.

Q&A with Amanda Greco ’24

Q: Tell SALVEtoday about your two SRyou Student Exposition projects.

A: I actually have two projects. For the first, I’m presenting my thesis on a particular protein in tuberculosis called KmtR, how it binds certain metals and how tuberculosis exists in the cells. Second, I am coordinating and performing in the Salve music students’ showcase.

Q: Let’s talk about the first project. What inspired you to research tuberculosis initially for your thesis?

A: It has a lot to do with me wanting to go to medical school. I was always searching to do research that had some sort of medical application — because it would help me understand the medicine — and I really liked the way that my professor, Dr. Khadine Higgins, associate professor in the Department of Chemistry, taught. She was my general chemistry professor, and I really liked her teaching style, so I wanted to be on her project.

Q: What are the key stages or milestones of the development of the project?

A: We are doing what’s called ‘site directed mutagenesis.’ The protein itself that we’re working on has a sequence of amino acids. Think of amino acids as pieces to make a big puzzle — if one of those puzzle pieces is not correct, then it distorts the whole protein. So we’ve been mutating, or putting in the wrong puzzle piece at a certain location, and then we’ve been testing to see how that changes the way nickel and cobalt and zinc are binding to it …. One of the big breakthroughs that I’ve had is I actually determined that my particular puzzle piece that I replaced is really, really important for the binding of cobalt and zinc.

Q: What kind of research methods did you employ?

A: Besides the site directed mutagenesis — what I described before as changing out the puzzle piece — we are doing isothermal titration calorimetry, which measures some key changes in our protein. We also have been experimenting with this very new thing that me and one of my peer students have just started working on. It’s called anisotropy fluorescence.

Greco receiving an award from Salve.

Q: What does it mean to you to be one of the first students at Salve researching this?

A: It’s so exciting and so rewarding. I’ve been reflecting on it a lot over the past semester since we’ve been working on it, and it just shows how much I’ve grown as a research student. I remember my first chemistry class and my professor gave me a notebook and told me to do some calculations,  and I cried. And now I’m actually starting to write my own experiment and experimental design. It just seems surreal that I’ve come this far.

Q: Are you working with other students for this project? What are your roles?

A: Yes. I am one of three graduating seniors on this project. It’s myself, Avery Arbuckle ’24 and Jacob Raimo ’24. We’re all responsible for mutating different pieces of the puzzle. For example, Jake has a corner piece, I have a middle piece and Avery has a different corner piece. So, we all basically do the same techniques, but just with different locations.

Q: In what ways do you believe that your project is making a meaningful difference in the field?

A: A third of the world’s population is estimated to be latently diagnosed with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is the disease causing bacteria at the cellular level. So targeting other pathways in that bacteria is super critical to avoid dramatic increase over the next few years with antibiotic resistance, and so we need to target something other than antibiotics to do so. Any effort to understand how the bacteria works really does help.

Q: What interests you about being able to present at SRyou Student Exposition?

A: Presenting is such a good way to teach others what you are passionate about, and it makes me better within my field. For example, explaining my tuberculosis research to people who study music, is hard — it challenges me to bring my research down to someone else’s level who may not be a biology major or chemistry major. Presenting my research to others and having them understand it is really rewarding.

Q: How has working on this long-term project contributed to your personal and academic growth, especially as you’re preparing to present this project in April?

A: To explain research that you’ve been working on for the past two-and-a-half years to someone who’s not in science, it’s really hard. And in terms of my career, I want to work in pediatric medicine — so being in that field and working with children, there needs to be that mutual understanding between doctor and patient. I feel like SRyou Student Exposition is really preparing me to be able to explain things with mutual understanding in the way that a doctor, teacher or presenter would. I want everyone to take something away from my research.

Q: Tell SALVEtoday about your second SRyou Student Exposition project.

A: So I’m hosting the Salve music students’ showcase, and we have about seven vocal numbers and five instrumental numbers. I will be performing specifically in Pitches with Attitude and Mixtapes, our two a cappella groups.

Greco with Pitches with Attitude.

Q: What interests you about the music program?

A: I grew up on the stage. I started dancing as soon as I was potty trained — so hosting this project at SRyou Student Exposition is really special to me. I really want to be able to show the Salve community what students in the music program have to offer.

Q: If you could offer one piece of advice to a student who’s on the fence about participating in SRyou Student Exposition, what advice would you give them?

A: Just sign up. It may seem scary, but it puts you in that sort of required uncomfortable position that helps you grow. It’s so worth it in the end. If you have something that’s very meaningful to you then just sign up, because people will want to hear it.

The SRYou Student Exposition is still looking for volunteers to help during the day of the event. If anyone is interested, they can contact Natalie Cote, the SRyou Student Exposition planning committee chairwoman, at natalie.cote@salve.edu. Volunteers can be staff, faculty or students.


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Featured  / News  / Salve Spotlights
Kayleigh Pier ’23 continues social work passion with master’s program at Columbia University
salvetoday Posted On March 21, 2024


Kayleigh Pier ’23, who was a double major in psychology and social work while at Salve Regina, is now at Columbia University, where she is completing an advanced standing social work master’s degree.

As Pier earns her degree at Columbia University, she continues to reflect on the valuable experiences and insights garnered from her undergraduate experience at Salve Regina that inspired her current path forward.

Experience in Salve’s psychology and social work programs

Originally from Cromwell, Connecticut, Pier wanted an undergraduate experience that emulated the feeling of her small hometown – thus leading her to Salve.

“I was looking for a school that I could feel community in but still be able to meet a new face if I wanted,” described Pier. “So Salve was the perfect place for me.”

Once on campus, Pier began her journey at Salve as a nursing major. However, it was her growing interest in the helping professions that led her to psychology and social work.

“I didn’t really know what social work was before I came to Salve,” said Pier. “I learned that the values of both psychology and social work intertwined well with who I was, who I was raised to be and who I wanted to be.”

Pier on SRYou Day presenting proposal for mental health emergency phone numbers to be added to the back of all student and staff ID cards.

Being able to see how far a reach that compassion and kindness can have in someone’s life was a rewarding experience for Pier – leading her to work towards a double major in psychology and social work. The double major provides an exciting blend of coursework and fieldwork that immerses students in a unique study of social work and psychology.

“I’m a very experiential learner, so the fact that we had that built into our curriculum was incredible,” said Pier.

Pier is thankful to the dedicated professors in both of the psychology and social work departments. She particularly credits Dr. Mary Montminy-Danna, professor and chair of the Department of Social Work, for providing strong foundations in both social work and compassion.

“Dr. Montminy-Danna challenges you to think more critically about how you interact with people and to be considerate about your interactions and your thought processes,” described Pier. “A lot of the ethics that I hold have come from my courses with her.”

Life at Columbia University

After graduating from Salve in May 2023, Pier is now in the advanced standing social work master’s program at Columbia University this upcoming May 2024.

Being in this program has allowed Pier the opportunity to complete practicum as a high school social worker in the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City. While there, Pier takes on individual and group caseloads, aids in crisis intervention and provides students with valuable resources to promote their wellbeing.

“Everybody has got things going on, and it’s become so evident how alone a lot of students feel and how much goes on in their heads,” explained Pier. “Having that ability to access any student who needs help and support is really why I love working in schools.”

Pier in her practicum giving a lesson to her senior students on healthy and unhealthy stress and ways to manage it.

During her own high school experience, Pier began to struggle with her mental health. Her personal wellness journey has demonstrated to her how important resources are for adolescents in high school.

“It’s a great access point for students, especially for students who might not have an awareness of things that are going on and the resources that they have and can use,” emphasized Pier.

Her practicum has allowed Pier to nurture her passion for social work, and she hopes to continue this needed work with a young adult population when she graduates from Columbia University in May.

Salve’s continued influence

As her time in higher education begins to come to an end, Pier reflects on the valuable lessons she learned at Salve — lessons that she still uses today.

“Having a small cohort at Salve allowed me to learn so much from the people around me,” found Pier. “Even now, I still have close relationships with the people that were in my social work classes, and if I’m having an issue or need advice, I can talk to them. I know that they come from the same educational standpoint, and they can not only help me, but challenge me as well.”

Pier was inducted into the Social Work Honor Society in the spring of 2022.

Pier’s journey has taken her from Newport’s shores to the ivy-covered halls of Columbia University, and she epitomizes the spirit of academic exploration and ambition.

Pier challenges students who have a passion to trust their guts and explore every opportunity.

“Be curious, let yourself explore, and let yourself screw up — and screw up again,” she shared as things she’s learned through her educational experience. “Screwing up is perfectly allowed, and it’s going to help you grow. The person that’s going to inform you the most about what you should do and what you want to do is going to be you.”

Salve Spotlights is a series of people-centered stories periodically featured on SALVEtoday. Check out the tag Salve Spotlights for more stories.


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Arts and Humanities  / Event Coverage  / Featured  / News  / Student Life
Annual French Film Festival returns with six thought-provoking films
salvetoday Posted On March 13, 2024


With six films ranging from classic to contemporary, Salve Regina University announces its annual French Film Festival, which will run from Sunday, March 17, through Tuesday, April 2. Set against the backdrop of societal norms and the complexities of human nature, this cinematic journey aims to captivate audiences and ignite profound reflections on the intricacies of the human experience.

The festival’s films are listed below:

All six films will be screened on campus in the O’Hare Academic Building’s Bazarsky Lecture Hall. On opening night, a wine and cheese reception with live music by French singer, Mathilde Mauguière, will be held after the first film, “Portrait de la jeune fille en feu.” The Sunday matinee, “Queen Margo,” will be preceded by a reception with pastries and coffee from The French Confection.

For the general public, admission is $15 for Sunday films and receptions, $10 for weeknight films and $40 for a festival pass. Tickets for individual screenings will be available at the door for cash or check only. To avoid lines at the door, patrons are encouraged to buy a festival pass online. Salve Regina’s students, faculty and staff receive free admission with valid Salve Regina ID.

La Reine Margot/Queen Margot

Societal norms and the human experience

While often serving as a foundation for shared values and behaviors, societal norms can inadvertently perpetuate exclusivity by favoring certain demographics or lifestyles. The challenge lies in recognizing and challenging these norms to foster a more inclusive society that celebrates diversity and respects the varied expressions of identity.

This year’s film festival will highlight stories of individuals who go against the standards set by society.

“French filmmaking is notoriously ambivalent or ambiguous,” described Dr. Dean de la Motte, professor of modern languages and coordinator for the festival. “We want to expose students and the wider public to the French tradition of film that makes you want to have a cup of coffee or glass of wine afterwards to debate.”

Portrait de la jeune fille en feu/Portrait of a Lady on Fire

It is the intrinsic desire for connection, empathy and understanding that brings individuals together – forming the common ground upon which humanity thrives.

“I’m hoping that the audience will see connections between their own lives and resonate with themes that transcend French or West African or American context,” he emphasized.

The films explore themes of love, grief, autonomy, oppression, longing, societal expectations and sacrifice – providing a poignant narrative that captivates audiences with its emotional depth and rich storytelling, illustrating what it means to be human.

All six films touch on different aspects of the human experience and the societal boundaries of their time. To learn more about each film, go here.

Critical concerns that transcend borders

Salve is guided by the Critical Concerns of Mercy – emphasizing social justice, compassion and a commitment to addressing systemic issues. This festival aims to highlight the universal need for these concerns, as their value transcends the walls of the University.

“We want to bring forward concerns that we think our students should care about, and that are connected to our mission,” said de la Motte. “There’s a hope that art, at its best, helps us think about the things that matter in life.”

To buy tickets for any of the individual films in advance, visit the French Film Festival’s webpage, or they can buy a festival pass. Tickets for individual screenings will be available at the door for cash or check only. Festival passes are available online for advanced purchase.

For general festival information, email frenchfilmfestival@salve.edu.


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Event Coverage  / News
Attend lecture with Megan Twohey, investigative reporter and co-author of ‘She Said’
salvetoday Posted On March 12, 2024


The Mosaic student newspaper will host Megan Twohey, best-selling author and investigative reporter, to share her experience and successes in her field. The discussion will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, in the DiStefano Lecture Hall in the Antone Academic Center. All members of the Salve Regina community are invited to attend. No registration is required.

Twohey has spent her career in journalism focusing on investigative reporting and has published her work in The Chicago Tribune, The New York Times and Reuters, among others. Her efforts in the field include having disclosed abuses in the medical field, international child adoption scandals and the mishandling of sexual assault evidence.

In 2017, Twohey and fellow journalist Jodi Kantor published a report on the numerous sexual abuse allegations against Harvey Weinstein, which promptly led to his firing. The events and investigations leading to the report were converted into the best-selling book “She Said,” which was adapted to the silver screen in 2022.

“We greatly admire Megan for the progress she’s made for women to be able to speak out against sexual violence,” said Emma Liarikos, Mosaic’s co-editor-in-chief. “It’s certainly not talked about enough, but we are hoping that Megan’s testimony can spark a greater conversation here at Salve.”

The work of both Twohey and Kantor led to the nomination and selection of The New York Times for the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service just a year after the original publication. Along with the Pulitzer Prize, Twohey was also named one of Time Magazine’s most influential people of the year in 2017.

The book “She Said” had an even greater impact, reigniting the viral #MeToo movement that spread across social media, revealing the testimonials of even more women who had suffered sexual harassment and abuse in the workplace.

This event is open to all students, faculty and staff. No registration is required. For more information, email Mosaic co-editors Emma Liarikos at emma.liarikos@salve.edu or Caitlyn Bailey at caitlyn.bailey@salve.edu.


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Featured  / News  / Salve Spotlights  / Student Life
Sarah Kraus ’24 lands internship with Redwood Library after studying abroad in Ireland
salvetoday Posted On March 11, 2024


At Salve Regina, the pursuit of knowledge often leads students on extraordinary journeys that transcend the walls of the classroom. Sarah Kraus ’24, a European history major with a minor in cultural and historic preservation, has nurtured her passion for Irish history through her recent study abroad program in Cork, Ireland.

From the green hills of Ireland back to the cobblestone streets of Newport, Kraus has utilized her hands-on experience abroad to land internships with the Museum of Newport Irish History and the Redwood Library.

From Salve Regina to the Emerald Isle

Kraus is originally from Oceanside, Long Island. With an impressive history program and ideal location, Kraus knew Salve Regina was the school for her.

“One of the best decisions I made was coming here,” she said.

Kraus (right) with friends in Ireland.

During the fall of her junior year, Kraus had the opportunity to study abroad at University College Cork in Cork, Ireland. As an Irish American, that experience brought her closer to her roots.

While abroad, one of Kraus’ most cherished experiences was visiting her extended family, who still live on their original property in Ireland. She was able to see where her family has lived, all that her ancestors had left behind and where her grandmother was buried. During this visit, Kraus was able to reflect on growing up in the U.S. while also having her family thousands of miles away from her.

Once back at Salve Regina, Kraus became a global ambassador with the Center for Global Education and Fellowships. Global ambassadors are asked to stress three major areas of studying abroad — professional, personal and academic benefits.

“She is a shining example of all of the benefits in these three areas,” said Joe Meringolo, assistant director of the Center for Global Education and Fellowships. “Her experiences and her friendly, open attitude towards sharing this information resonate with the students who speak with her.”

Kraus presenting at a study abroad information session.

In this role, Kraus shares her experiences with students interested in studying abroad. Being able to share her journey in Ireland with others was transformative.

“It was one of the best parts about being a Global Ambassador,” Kraus said. She also credits Meringolo for serving as a mentor, providing advice and guiding her through her study abroad experience.

A life of historic learning

Through Kraus’ recent experience abroad, she gained new perspectives that connected her time in Ireland to her internship at the Museum of Newport Irish History.

“I feel as if my study abroad experience has prepared me for this opportunity by providing me with a solid background of Irish history that would be necessary for a position like this,” she said. “I find that I am now much more educated on this topic because of my hands-on experiences in Ireland.”

During the summer internship, Kraus had the opportunity to work with museum collections, putting them into a database or digitizing them to make it easier for public access. She enjoyed working with a historic society that is a huge part of the city she loves.

“Irish history is something that I’ve always taken an interest in,” Kraus said. “The Irish have made a profound impact on American culture over the centuries, and I believe that it is important to discuss these contributions within the context of Newport’s history given the city’s significance in American history.”

Kraus in Ireland.

Kraus is currently an intern at the Redwood Library – a subscription library, museum, rare book repository and research center in Newport. There, she works with different researchers who review census data and put together a narrative of different properties and the people who live there. Through this data, Kraus is able to construct stories of the lives she’s researching, creating history as she goes.

After graduation, Kraus plans to pursue a master’s degree in library science and hopes to work in field-based history. She was recently nominated for a fellowship with the Newport Historical Society, which would entail hands-on archival research, cataloging and data entry.

“As a history major, I have always been passionate about the study of the world that has come before us, which makes a career opportunity in the public history field so exciting to me,” she said.

Article written with reporting from Ridhika Patil ’27

Salve Spotlights is a series of people-centered stories periodically featured on SALVEtoday. Check out the tag Salve Spotlights for more stories.


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Arts and Humanities  / Event Coverage  / News  / Student Life
Theatre program’s upcoming musical production is ‘Chicago’ by John Kander and Fred Ebb
salvetoday Posted On March 11, 2024


The Department of Music, Theatre and Dance has announced that the theatre arts program’s spring 2024 production is the Broadway musical “Chicago.” Performances will be held Thursday, March 21, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, March 22, at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, March 23, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the Casino Theatre.

All members of the Salve Regina community, as well as the general public, are invited to attend. Tickets are $15 for adults; $10 for Salve Regina faculty, staff and seniors; $5 for children 12 and under; and free for Salve Regina students with an ID. To purchase tickets, go here.

The makings of ‘Chicago’

“Chicago” was composed by John Kander and Fred Ebb, a popular musical theater lyricist and composer duo who have written well-known musicals such as “Cabaret,” “The Scottsboro Boys” and “Kiss of the Spider Woman.”

In conversation with Kander and Ebb’s score, the show was popularized by the choreography of Bob Fosse, credited for much of Broadway’s most famous choreography and known for his turned-in lines and isolations.

Kander and Ebb based their musical on Maurine Dallas Watkins’ play of the same name. Watkins was a journalist in Chicago in the 1920s who researched and wrote about the women whose stories are highlighted in the show. The musical tells these stories through Vaudeville and Burlesque formats to further emphasize women’s use of theatrical style to find empowering careers at the time.

Their true stories will be on display in the Casino Theatre. Specific stories to be highlighted include the lives of Belva Gaertner and Beaulah Annan, the women who inspired the “Chicago” characters Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart.

The cast practicing their rendition of the “Cell Block Tango.”

Salve’s production will pull heavily from the historically inspired stories of the 1920s women of Chicago and their use of violence to defend themselves in domestically abusive situations when the law would not step in for them.

“It’s not average Chicago,” said Reed Duncan ’25, a double major in dance and theatre arts who plays Velma. “But I think our take will open audiences’ eyes to the real stories of the women the show is truly about.”

Themes that transcend borders and time

The Casino Theatre’s historic architecture, coupled with its storied past, parallels the themes found in “Chicago.”

“It’s exciting to do this show in the Casino Theatre,” said Dr. Tara Brooke Watkins, assistant professor and director of the production. “It was originally a Vaudeville-style building, and we are leaning into that with this production.”

Amidst its Vaudeville similarities, Watkins underscores a darker narrative — drawing attention to the troubling history of the theater’s architect, Stanford White, whose own actions add a layer of complexity to the space.

“Stanford White was the Jeffrey Epstein of his day and preyed upon Vaudeville actresses,” Watkins explained. “I can’t change the history or the space, but I can try to tell stories that explain more of the complexity of why women felt they had no recourse but murder in some situations. Stanford White himself was murdered for the same reasons.”

And all that jazz … dance

Dance will be at the forefront of this year’s musical, with Fosse-style choreography by Jade Genga, which will be used to emphasize the Vaudeville-style music driving the narrative of “Chicago.”

Members of the cast practicing the Fosse style choreography that is seen throughout the production.

“Dancing is an essential part of the storytelling in ‘Chicago,’ and practicing Fosse-style movement has helped me improve as a dancer and an actor,” said cast member Sydney Rooney ’26, an English communications major with minors in theatre arts and film.

Mastering the intricate and nuanced movements of Fosse-style dance can pose a challenge due to its precise articulation, stylistic subtleties and demanding emphasis on control and timing.

“It is sometimes difficult. I definitely am exhausted after rehearsal, but it has been excitingly challenging,” said cast member Isabella Canevari ’25, a psychology and theatre arts double major.

Canevari is grateful to the upcoming “Chicago” production, as it has fostered her passion for dance and allowed her to hone in on difficult techniques. “I love dancing and I have not always had a lot of opportunities to dance,” she said. “‘Chicago’ has allowed me to tap into that love again and grow my skills.”

To buy tickets for the different showtimes, go here.


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Salve Day of Giving is on March 7
salvetoday Posted On March 5, 2024


The University will celebrate its annual Salve Day of Giving — a day centered around community, philanthropy and generosity — on Thursday, March 7.

Fostered by philanthropy, Salve Regina’s mercy education is enriched through gifts to The SALVEfund on Day of Giving. Every gift, no matter the size, helps to provide the best education, resources and opportunities across campus. Donating will directly help Salve Regina students by supporting scholarships, academic programs, campus leadership opportunities, community service, student organizations and athletic teams.

Alumni, faculty, staff, parents and friends are encouraged to take a break in their busy schedules and make a difference in the community. This year’s goal is 650 donors in just 24 hours. To further encourage participation, each gift works toward unlocking over $100,000 in challenge funds.

To commemorate Salve Day of Giving, several activities will be taking place from noon to 3 p.m. in O’Hare Academic Building. Grab some coffee and treats while playing trivia and other games for the opportunity to win exciting prizes.

Make a difference on Thursday, March 7 and be a part of this merciful tradition. #OneDayOneSalve.

Learn more about how to make a gift and participate at salve.edu/dayofgiving.


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