From presenting at the Biennial Conference of the Asian Association of Social Psychology, assisting at-risk teens in Portsmouth with how to handle topics like suicide prevention and awareness to late nights editing and organizing works of poetry. Jane Greenip ‘22 works diligently balancing her love of the arts and psychology when STEM and humanities do not often overlap.  

The Cohasset, Massachusetts native spends her time as president and editor-in-chief of the Willow Literary Magazine, completing a work-study in the Salve Regina Theatre Department, and fulfilling an internship off-campus. Greenip is currently pursuing a major in Psychology with a minor in Creative Writing. She hopes to someday work with children and assist them during pivotal developmental stages.

Greenip fell in love with developmental psychology taking classes with assistant professor and McAuley Scholar Dr. Balogun-Mwangi of the Psychology Department. 

“I’ve taken nearly every class with her,” Greenip said. “Dr. B’s classes are the main reason why I want to work with kids.”

Crossing cultures with television and psychology

During the course, PSY-290 Cross-Cultural Psychology with Dr. Balogun-Mwangi, Greenip wrote a research paper on the differences between a western and Asian interpretation of the same murder-mystery television show. She described the adaptations indicated cultural differences in collectivism, individualism and gender differences. Finally submitting her work in December of 2020, Greenip knew her work had been done on an untapped area of study. The then-junior thought she could take the research further – Dr. Balogun-Mwangi agreed. 

Delving more into her research throughout the spring and summer, Greenip rewatched both series in their entirety, refined her points, and met routinely with Dr. Balogun-Mwangi. Organizing exactly what she wanted to be on the poster, Greenip needed to condense her piece into a 2-minute presentation to meet the requirements of the Biennial Conference of the Asian Association of Social Psychology. She remembers feeling pressure to come across as professional and knowledgeable as possible presenting at the undergraduate level. 

Greenip’s presentation aired online for conference members to view on July 31, 2021. Reflecting on the opportunity, she explains that she is satisfied knowing she trusted her instinct to look into a not well-researched topic and recommends other students trust their work’s potential. 

“If your idea is worth it, you’re really passionate about it, and you really know that you can do something with it, then it’s worth doing. Don’t be scared to talk to your professors to help you get this research done or pick topics that people normally wouldn’t consider, it may be a concept that helps development in the future.”

A love of writing and providing support

Greenip balances the seemingly contrasting STEM field and humanities throughout her days on campus. You may find her in Room 220 in the Antone Academic Center leading Willow Literary Magazine meetings on Tuesday nights or on her way to her internship at a suicide prevention program in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. At her internship, Greenip assists teens in the area with tips for suicide prevention creates programs for them to become prepared for life after high school. Greenip provides the teens with an outlet through her own passion, creative writing, in addition to financial literacy and resume and interview strategies.

“The teens we work with really enjoy when we suggest creative writing to them. It’s a really good outlet that they can use to express themselves, get their feelings out while also still being private.” Greenip said, “It doesn’t have to be exactly what’s happening with them. It can be a fantasy story, or it’s a really good way to just escape from everything.”

Greenip hopes to continue using her passion for creative writing with her love of psychology. Her experience with the suicide prevention program has shown her beneficial results with her own eyes. Her experience at her internship has also strengthened her writing abilities. She explained that it motivates her to be a stronger writer and pushed her to continue her research project. 

The future as a woman in STEM

Greenip plans to apply to a master’s program following her departure from Salve Regina where she will explore the training necessary for clinical counseling. She hopes to someday work with children during their difficult developmental years, honing their social skills and hopefully integrating her creative side into her counseling. 

Greenip explained that she has not encountered the toxicity of STEM being male-dominated at Salve Regina but explains she expects to encounter some as she furthers into the field. Many are unaware that psychology is embedded in STEM, do not regard it as being male-dominated but she has found in her own research much of the published works are by men. 

She explained that she is inspired by women who have published their work and produced great works as she enters the increasingly more equal field. Greenip is already making strides making the field a more equal and inspiring place for other women interested in STEM. 

Edited: https://today.salve.edu/salve-success-jane-greenip-22-psychology-major-and-creative-writing-minor/

Ana Inciarte ‘22 has made a mission of devoting her time to caring for people and has the Salve Regina community to show for it.

Inciarte is currently a Biology major and a History and Chemistry minor with a concentration in Microbiology. When she isn’t in the O’Hare Academic Building Lab or spending time with clubs like Mad Batter Baking or Pre-Health club, Inciarte is caring for her community by volunteering with the Crisis Text Line and Peer Wellness Program.

Student Support Through Peer Wellness

Inciarte and other leaders in the Peer Wellness program seek to provide students with the tools and resources to navigate depression, anxiety, stress and topics like suicide and sexual assault awareness. Inciarte first gained interest in the program when she had a difficult time finding a community to belong to in her first year. The former Salve Regina Health Education and Prevention Coordinator, Connelly Clifford, encouraged the now over two-year member, to take a position on the board. Inciarte speaks highly of the program’s efforts to emphasize creating a safe space for students to feel they belong and that someone is listening to them, especially those making the transition to college in their first year. 

“[the objective is] to educate the student body, the university community, overall, really just what it means to be healthy, like emotionally, physically, and so forth,” she said.

Being a Peer Wellness Coordinator means Inciarte still maneuvers the same obstacles as any other student but in dealing with taboo topics she finds empowerment. 

“Different topics can hit home for you… topics like, depression, suicide awareness and prevention, I think, for myself, and maybe even others that it can be empowered to talk about, especially if you feel like no people who go through the same things, or yourself go through it. So it’s empowering. But I would also say it can be, again, close to home.” 

Just a Text Away 

Inciarte also dedicates her time to the Text Crisis Line which is an online platform that allows those who require crisis intervention or mental health support a 24-hour connection to an individual who will de-escalate or accommodate the texters needs.

Inciarte describes that volunteers are devoted to giving the texters the ability to speak openly about their struggles, what coping skills would be appropriate for the situation and provide them with proper resources. 

The Peer Wellness Coordinator and volunteer recalls she joined the program at the very start of the COVID-19 Pandemic so that those struggling during lockdown had a place to go.

Her experience in both Text Crisis Hotline and the Peer Wellness Program has not been for nothing. Inciarte owes her communication skills to both organizations requiring her to engage with the student body, collaborate with her co-leader and committees and coordinate with staff and faculty. Maybe most importantly, foster relationships with students who are struggling mentally on Salve Regina’s campus and bring them some form of comfort. 

Beyond the setting of the program, Inciarte finds that her experience has taught her to take initiative and be a “self-starter” and hopes to not only carry these skills into organizations throughout the University but her career where she plans to follow a Pre-Med path in the next few years. It is undeniable that Inciarte has put in the time to be a face on campus that students know they can come to and that cares.

Edited: https://today.salve.edu/salve-success-ana-inciarte-22-peer-wellness-coordinator-and-volunteer-with-the-crisis-text-line/

Gilberto Grave ‘23 from a young age has worked to help others and has brought that tenacity to Salve Regina. Grave has taken on roles in service, the health care industry, and diversity on campus. Currently, pursuing a degree in Health Care Administration and a minor in Health Services. His work at Rhode Island Hospital, the University, and his upbringing play key roles in the student you see on campus.

It is no surprise that Grave found a love for community outreach as he was involved in Boy Scouts by age ten. “I was not thrown into service. But I dove into it.” he explained.

His heart is in health care

 Grave did not have your typical life-changing experience with a health care worker like many who enter the field do. Instead, found that his satisfaction came from helping individuals. His interest in the health care industry was fostered as a senior in high school when he interned at Rhode Island Hospital as a radiology tech. 

Grave also saw first-hand the way that the health care industry affected urban areas, growing up in Providence, Rhode Island. Many did not have access to adequate care or were targeted due to their economic standing, grasp of English or documentation status. An adolescence surrounded in this environment propelled Grave’s determination to help others and instill change in the industry. 

For nearly two years, Grave has been working in Rhode Island Hospital building experience in the health care field where he has been able to carry over the lessons he has learned in his classes right into the hospital. This experience has not only taught Grave what it means to be managed within the industry but the managing technique he wants to possess when he is in the position. 

Making a difference mentoring

Besides running rounds in the hospital halls and attending classes, Grave is welcoming and mentoring first-years as a first-year transition mentor. The mentor finds that the position keeps him on his toes as a student. He mentioned practicing what he preaches and leading by example keeps him making smart decisions on campus. Grave has found that being a mentor means he can foster one-on-one connections with first-years during a time where his guidance and experience can make their transition to Salve Regina easier. In Grave’s words, “It’s really rewarding. Knowing that, I can do something, plan it and then it’s going to help someone take something off their plate.”

Edifying diversity on campus

Grave also takes the role of creating a more diverse environment at Salve Regina. He has been a member of the Black Student Union (BSU), worked in the Office of Multicultural Programs, and the Hispanic/Latinx Student Organization. He sees a necessity on campus to speak openly about race on campus to have productive and educational discussions despite the discomfort some people find in the topic. As a predominantly white institution, he said he understands  hesitation to join these organizations but they are not just about the color of your skin. 

“I’m not black, I don’t identify as black. But attending [BSU] meetings last semester was interesting. They open up to perspectives that I don’t experience. And even though I’m a minority, I don’t experience some of the issues that other people of color do. But for the Hispanic Latinx club, I just although we’re new. We’re just about having fun, but also learning about the issues surrounding the Hispanic Latinx community but the biggest thing is just you don’t have to identify with the denomination of the group to be a part of it.”

Grave has put hours of work into creating an environment for others to thrive. Whether in the medical field during the strenuous measures of COVID-19, first-years in need of advice, or making a more diverse and aware campus, Grave his big plans to carry-on caring for his community. Currently, he is considering pursuing Salve Regina’s 5-year master’s plan to earn his in Health Care Administration and becoming an MRI Technologist to hopefully manage in that field. He knows for sure, “I want to help the people that help people”.

Edited story: https://today.salve.edu/salve-success-gilberto-grave-23-health-care-administration-major-with-minor-in-health-services/

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/