Six employees to receive degrees during Commencement

Six Salve Regina employees will receive degrees during Sunday’s 63rd Commencement exercises, bringing a whole new meaning to the term work-study. The employees are receiving master’s degrees and a certificate of advanced graduate study in fields ranging from management to mental health.

In addition to the employees listed below, Help Desk specialist Natasha Wurst will receive her MBA.

Marcus Calhoun, fitness center monitor

After three years of coursework, Calhoun will receive his MBA, which he pursued due to the reputation of Salve Regina’s graduate programs and the opportunity he was offered as an employee. Calhoun said he enjoyed “the interaction with the faculty and my classmates and the flexibility of class schedules.”

With his degree, Calhoun hopes to achieve increased responsibilities in the health and fitness field, to include management and leadership positions. He thanked his parents, former dean Thomas Sabbagh, fitness center manager Tom Blaney, fitness center coordinator Charles Haskell and classmate and friend Christine Hopper for their support.

Joshua Carvalho, systems integrator developer

After two years of coursework, Carvalho will receive his MBA, which he pursued to learn more about business and management for both personal interest and the opportunity to advance his career. Carvalho said he enjoyed “the opportunity to discuss interesting topics with my fellow students.”

With his degree, along with his hard work, Carvalho hopes to open new avenues of opportunity in his career. He thanked his family and professors for their support, along with his manager Richard Drolet “for all his understanding about how difficult it can be at times to juggle work and school.”

Nicole Ferreira, data entry specialist

After a year of coursework, Ferreira will receive her certificate of advanced graduate study in mental health. She had just completed a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling and needed to earn the extra credits in order to pursue a license as a mental health counselor.

“The ideals and innovation of founding member of the Sisters of Mercy Catherine McAuley, in addition to the Salve Regina University mission, has supported my drive and desire to become a better citizen and contributing member of society,” Ferreira said. “I thank the University and its members as a whole, in addition to my family and other supportive individuals for inspiring me to be where I am now.”

Adam Gingras, assistant director of career development

After two years of coursework, Gingras will receive his MBA, which he pursued in order to demonstrate stronger critical thinking skills in his current role as assistant director of career development. “It’s been a rewarding feeling these past two years to be able to bring new skills and competencies to the table at work,” he said.

With his degree, Gingras hopes to make a difference in the Salve Regina community and progress in his own career within the University and higher education. He thanked his family, friends, Career Development coworkers, the baseball coaching staff and dean of professional studies Traci Warrington, “who convinced me to get my MBA.”

Kristine Springett, office coordinator, Department of Nursing

After two and a half years of coursework, Springett will receive her master’s degree in management. Springett took the majority of her courses online, which she enjoyed “mostly because as an employee working from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the thought of sitting in a classroom from 6-9 p.m. was overwhelming.”

With her degree, Springett hopes to be able to teach a course or two, adding that she loves working with the students. She thanked nursing chairwoman Eileen Gray, clinical and laboratory coordinator Candace Powell and most of all her husband “for putting up with listening, in depth, to me talk about each and every course I took.”

“I am so excited to walk across the stage on May 19 because not only did I earn my undergraduate degree from Salve exactly 30 years ago,” Springett said, “but I will be sharing my excitement with my daughter Amy who is also graduating from Salve this year with her undergraduate degree in business administration.”