Not many college students have the opportunity to say that they are student government chairs, double-majors, and a vital voice in leading a conversation about diversity on campus. Senior Ashley Dwyer, a Hartford, CT native, is a Sociology and Political Science major here at Salve, while modest about her achievements on campus, can say she is all of those things.
Double major to make a difference
Dwyer had always wanted to make a difference but was not entirely sure how she wanted to go about it. While taking classes her freshman year, she was greatly influenced by her professors. Dr. Fred Zilian led a class ‘How to Rule the World’ which focused on public policy and international relations and she fell in love with political science. Similarly, the course Sociological Imagination, with Dr. Mele allowed Dwyer to get hands-on experience conducting social experiments and understand people’s functions in society. Dwyer, herself stated, “I love it! With Political Science I get to know the policies put in place for people and Sociology, the people that these policies are being put in place for… a balance is how I see it”
The deal that changed it all
In high school, Dwyer had been involved in myriad clubs and extracurriculars and thrived being a part of several communities. So, on the surface, one would think the ever-involved SGA Vice President would have loved Salve from the moment she started, but like many freshmen experience, Dwyer struggled to find what made her love the university and had not yet found her community. Before entering her Sophomore year of college, Dwyer had considered transferring to another institution, but her father struck a deal to see if it would really be worth it.
Dwyer’s father, whom she calls her biggest fan, proposed if she joined extracurriculars and organizations the same way she had as a high schooler, put in the effort towards the community and school, and still did not enjoy Salve by winter break, she could leave. This forced Dwyer to join SGA as a state senator, a service advocate and applied to be an orientation leader, and she’s been a friendly face on campus ever since. This is when she describes, “I found my true purpose.”
The SGA Vice President expresses she wants students to know that while she is in a leadership position, she is still a student and understands the struggles. She goes on to explain that Salve is special in that it allows students to collaborate with administration, the community, and change is encouraged in a way that a lot of campuses do not offer their students.
Securing Salve’s Civility
It would be a waste to not discuss Dwyer’s achievements in SGA and the community in her two terms. Last year, she describes that tensions were high as the impending election landed on the same week as midterms. This high-stress environment inspired Ashley and her team to create a stress buster that gave students different options to destress at Gerety and O’Hare amidst the turmoil. Students could watch the debates and live results of the election on the second floor of Gerety in a non-partisan environment and booths were set with different calming remedies.
Dwyer has worked tirelessly to build and maintain a community that everyone feels accepted in. This includes assisting in the implementation of Civility contracts for clubs and organizations. These agreements certify that no matter the political affiliation, background, or color each student is a vital part of Salve’s community. The SGA Vice President also spoke at a campus walk for inclusion, calling to action in the community to welcome diversity and for those who have felt unwelcome to speak up. At the moment, Dwyer and her team have been working with Residence Life to get gender-inclusive housing in the works for future students. Inclusivity and acceptance echoes throughout her work, She expressed, “It’s one thing to be invited to the table, it’s a completely other thing to be invited to the table listened, heard and taken into account.”
Humans Rights and Retail Therapy
Dwyer’s efforts to improve the communities around her will not cease when she graduates later this year. For the future of Salve, she wants to see a safe transition to normal functions and more collaboration between students, staff and faculty. The senior explained she has always wanted to follow a career in Humanitarianism/Human Rights but is not quite sure where she wants to bring that spirit.
Dwyer finds inspiration in her aunt whom she describes as “the semblance of a strong Black woman.” When she isn’t involved in her many responsibilities on campus and balancing a job, she enjoys thrifting, being around her friends and loved ones, and enjoying Newport’s scenery. Dwyer plans to keep her options broad as long as she is a part of the change whatever that may look like.
Edited story: https://today.salve.edu/salve-success-ashley-dwyer-22-vice-president-of-the-sga/
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