Salem College

06/23/2026

Today, we celebrate two extraordinary members of the Salem Academy and College community as they begin their well-earned retirements: Kathy Barnes and David Browning.

Throughout their years of service, Kathy and David have helped shape Salem through their leadership, dedication, and deep commitment to our mission. Their contributions have strengthened our institution and enriched the lives of countless students, alumnae, colleagues, donors, and friends.

As we celebrate Kathy's and David's remarkable legacy, we also look ahead. Salem is now seeking its next Vice President for Institutional Advancement—an exceptional relationship builder, fundraiser, and strategic leader who will build upon Salem's strong foundation.

Please join us in thanking Kathy and David for their years of service and wishing them all the best in this next chapter.

Interested in helping shape Salem's future? Learn more about the Vice President for Institutional Advancement opportunity here: https://loom.ly/BfUlpIE

06/17/2026

From Salem student to Second Lieutenant, Dicie Perales C’26 turned opportunity into purpose. 💙✨
A Winston-Salem native, Dicie chose Salem College to stay close to home and was awarded the Spirit Scholarship, confirming it was the right fit from the start. As a commuter student, she stayed deeply connected to campus life, attending events, building friendships, and making the most of every opportunity Salem College offered.
A Communication and Media Studies major with minors in Professional Writing and Public Health, Dicie balanced academics with the demands of ROTC through Wake Forest University and hands-on training experiences, including time at Fort Knox and field exercises at Camp Butner and Fort Bragg.
Along the way, she found strong support from her professors who helped her navigate coursework while pursuing military training. “I didn’t do it alone. I had my professors and it felt like they were doing it with me.”
After graduating in May, Dicie was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and will serve as a logistics officer. She plans to continue her education with a master’s and PhD and ultimately work with veterans at the VA.
Her advice to students: “When you have an opportunity to do something, go for it. Give 100% and be intentional about the relationships you build along the way.”
Read more about her remarkable journey at https://loom.ly/aY3rIlE

06/12/2026

Salem College is proud to celebrate Dr. Ana León-Távora, PhD, Professor of Spanish, Director of World Languages and Cultures, and Director of Race and Ethnicity Studies, who was invited to participate in a two-day Scholars at Risk conference at the National Humanities Center in Durham.
Selected alongside colleagues from institutions including Yale, Duke, Wake Forest, Rice, and NYU, Dr. León-Távora joined discussions focused on protecting academic freedom and supporting scholars around the world who have been displaced or threatened because of their work.
Her invitation reflects the impact of her scholarship in social justice, antiracism, and migration studies, as well as the important contributions Salem faculty continue to make in conversations that shape higher education worldwide.
We are proud to see Dr. León-Távora representing Salem College and bringing back new ideas that can create meaningful learning opportunities for our students.📚💙
Read more about Dr. León-Távora’s work at https://loom.ly/0maEOiA

06/11/2026

Salem College Earns Top Marks for Teacher Preparation 📢

Salem College’s graduate Elementary Education program has received an A+ rating from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ), recognizing its outstanding preparation of future teachers in evidence-based reading instruction.

The honor highlights Salem’s commitment to equipping educators with the skills needed to help every child become a successful student and reader.

👉 Read more on this story at https://loom.ly/HIT6964

Salem College Earns National Recognition for Preparing Future Elementary Teachers in the Science of Reading Salem elementary education program achieves top marks in new report from the National Council on Teacher Quality Winston-Salem, North Carolina—The graduate elementary teacher preparation pro...

06/10/2026

What makes the Salem College experience so transformative? Our students and graduates say it best.
From close faculty mentorship and hands-on learning opportunities to leadership development and career preparation, these reflections capture the impact of a Salem education. Salem's health leadership focus is built on a long legacy of Salem graduates doing pathbreaking work in health fields, inspiring today's students to make their own mark on the world.
Now through June 30, you can help make experiences like these possible. As we approach the end of our fiscal year, your gift supports the people, programs, and opportunities that empower Salem students to lead with purpose and create meaningful change.
💙 Give now at Salemcollege.edu/give
Thank you for investing in the next generation of leaders.

06/05/2026

Sights and sounds of Salem in the summertime. ☀️🪴🪻

06/02/2026

Salem College gave Monica Comer C’04 the confidence to embrace opportunities, navigate unexpected paths, and lead with purpose.
A Communications and Spanish major, Monica never imagined she would one day become a school principal. Yet the confidence she gained at Salem, along with the mentorship of faculty who recognized and nurtured her potential, prepared her to adapt, grow, and thrive wherever life led.
Today, as principal of Walkertown Middle School, she is helping create a culture where every student is encouraged to succeed and every voice matters. Her leadership was recently recognized when she was named the 2026 Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Principal of the Year and received the district's CORE Award.
"Salem College gave me the confidence that I could do anything and be anybody I put my mind to."
From Fall Fest victories and lifelong friendships to servant leadership and educational excellence, Monica’s journey is a powerful reminder that remarkable lives are often shaped by unexpected turns and unwavering belief in yourself. 💛💙 Read more about Monica's remarkable journey at https://loom.ly/3tnQTHE

05/27/2026

Salem College faculty and staff gathered for an intensive Engaging Ethics workshop focused on incorporating ethical inquiry and character education into courses and co-curricular programs across campus. 💡📚
Led by philosopher and applied ethicist Dr. Amy McKiernan of Dickinson College, participants explored new ways to integrate ethics-centered learning into their work and will continue to develop redesigned courses and programs throughout the summer before the fall semester begins. We’re grateful for their thoughtful collaboration, meaningful conversations, and shared commitment to student learning and character development. ✨

05/22/2026

Rooted in leadership, scholarship, service, and care for others, Cristina Battistini has left a lasting impact on the Salem College community. 🌿💙
From serving as Head Resident Assistant and Vice President of SGA to balancing two varsity sports, excelling academically as a double major in Design and Mathematics, and advocating for student-athlete mental health through Morgan’s Message, Cristina has embodied what it means to lead with purpose and compassion.
Her presence across campus has helped make Salem feel more like home for so many, and her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of Salem students.
Congratulations to the recipient of the 2026 Oak Award and a proud member of the Class of 2026, Cristina Battistini. Thank you for the many ways you’ve helped shape and strengthen the Salem community. ✨ Read more at https://loom.ly/jooeGXw

05/21/2026

For Salem College tennis player Samantha Smiley, choosing Salem meant finding the close-knit community she was looking for through small class sizes, meaningful connections, and opportunities to grow as a leader. 🎾💙

As a student involved in health leadership, Samantha is working toward her dream of becoming a geriatric doctor and helping find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Before earning her white coat, she’s already making a difference through her nonprofit, Smiles with Samantha, where she volunteers at nursing homes leading memory games and spending time with residents. Her passion for leadership, care, and community is already changing lives.