By contributing to this crowdfunding project, you will be assisting all members of the HESA graduate program at Salem State University! We have reached 60% of our fundraising goal of $2000. We know we can reach our target within the next 12 days! 

My name is Alexandra Valdez and I am currently a second year graduate student in the Higher Education Student Affairs program at Salem State University. I currently have a Graduate Retention Fellowship (GRF) in the First Year Experience (FYE) Office at SSU as well as a part time position as a Program Coordinator in the Center for Inclusive Excellence at Framingham State University. I live in Boston drive and every day to FSU or SSU. As a first-generation student (undergrad and grad), I fund my own education every year with the assistance of loans. This year, however, I am planning on paying my final year of graduate school out of pocket. I would love to have the opportunity to attend conferences and workshops in the regional area, but because of financial reasons and time commitments to work, I was not able to attend as many as I wanted during my first year. This year I promised myself that I would take advantage of more professional development. Having the opportunity to apply to a scholarship will alleviate the financial burden while allowing me to grow professionally The conferences that I have been considering is the NASPA Region I that is taking place in November. I am also interesting in ACPA happening in March. Having a scholarship to assist with development as a young professional will be tremendously rewarding. 

My name is Almira and I am a second-year HESA student. I hold a Graduate Retention Position with Dual Enrollment at Salem State, as well as a Graduate Assistantship at Emerson College in the Career Development center. I moved from IL to pursue my degree because I really believed in the HESA program at SSU and knew it would make me a great practitioner. Ultimately, I am moving back to the Midwest to be closer to family. I would love the opportunity to attend Midwest regional conferences to help me to network and create connections there. By having scholarship funding, a lot of financial burden I experience would be alleviated.  I hope you can consider donating! :)