Early childhood education major Nina Beatrice serves as CAB president

Originally from New Jersey, Nina Beatrice ’21 knew she wanted to attend college in Rhode Island after visiting her older sister in the area. Beatrice had her heart set on studying early childhood education and discovered Salve Regina’s program when researching universities in the state.

Eager to gain experience in an educational setting, Beatrice was drawn to the early involvement in classrooms that Salve Regina introduces to students as soon as their sophomore year. “The more I have progressed through this program, the more I have fallen in love with it,” she said.

Leading through Campus Activities Board

Along with her studies, Beatrice joined the Campus Activities Board (CAB) during her first year and now serves as the group’s president. Her favorite student event is the spring concert, which she refers to as “my baby.”

“I went to my first meeting and that was hook, line and sinker,” she said. “I was completely locked into it.” Beatrice was very involved in high school and knew she wanted to continue that engagement in college. Although she signed up for a handful of organizations during the involvement fair, CAB was screaming her name.

During her first year, Beatrice jumped on the opportunity to apply for a leadership position in CAB and was named associate director of communications for the music and entertainment committee. She maintained that role through her sophomore year and became chief communications officer as a junior. She’s now serving as president for her senior year.

Nina Beatrice ’21 was previously named CAB’s associate director of the year. 

Balancing life and school

Complementing Beatrice’s early childhood education major is a special education and theatre arts double minor. Her passions are all connected, as her love of the performing arts led to her love for teaching. “I was a dance teacher for years, and I loved it,” she said. “It was my favorite thing I have done in my entire life.”

During her two years on campus, Beatrice was heavily involved in Salve Regina’s theatre arts program, performing in mainstage productions, the cabaret and two StageFright productions. As her scheduled filled with coursework and CAB, she switched from performer to energetic audience member, but is thankful she can still see it all through what she calls a “backwards lens.”

“I didn’t want to spread myself too thin, so I did have to take that step back,” Beatrice said. “Which hurt a little bit, because I love performing and I love theater, but I live with a bunch of people who do theater and I support all the productions.”

Facing self-doubt

Beatrice has also been a student employee in the Office of Student Engagement since her sophomore year, including the summer of 2019. These roles have all stretched her beyond what she thought was was capable of doing.

“My biggest block in the road at Salve has been myself,” Beatrice said. “The biggest thing I’ve struggled with has been my confidence in myself at Salve and having faith in myself.”

With perseverance and by constantly surrounding herself with supportive peers, Beatrice has overcome her insecurities. “That’s something I have also accomplished in my four years and was my goal – to be certain of my leadership abilities,” she said.

Despite being so busy, Beatrice has loved her time at Salve Regina, and she looks forward to her remaining time as a student. In keeping with her love for theater, she quoted a line from “Hamilton: An American Musical” to summarize her journey: “‘Legacy is planting seeds in a garden you never get to see,'” she said. “My goal is to plant that seed and see how it grows.”

By student writer Samantha Tarbox ’22