HESA Professional Development Grant

Our HESA students need financial support to attend regional and national professional development opportunities. As emerging professionals it is essential that they are provided with the opportunities to engage in dialogues with professionals in the field and translate the learning they are doing in the program to their futures in higher education. Attending professional development sessions, presenting workshops themselves on best practices in student affairs, and networking with colleagues in the region are important aspects of their professional development and job search process.

The Higher Education in Student Affairs masters' degree students at Salem State University make a significant contribution to the field of student affairs within the greater Boston area. While enrolled in our program, many of our students are working. Our Executive Cohort students tend to maintain full-time jobs while they balance class work, practicums, families, and home responsibilities. Members of our General Cohort often hold more than one job. They are serving as graduate assistants at Salem State as well as at other colleges and universities throughout the greater Boston area. Our students are working hard to accomplish their degree and many need to take out loans to fund their education.

While in graduate school our students make a significant contribution to student affairs departments throughout the region. Upon graduation the majority of them work at colleges and universities within New England. This campaign is to develop a scholarship to help our students attend professional conferences and meetings such as NASPA Region 1 in Providence, RI and ACPA in Boston. A goal of $2000 has been set so we may assist students with travel costs, conference registration, or lodging. Thank you for your support!