BERRY INSTITUTE OF POLITICS Fall 2023 Newsletter
The past fall semester we focused on building community and deepening our impact. We welcomed new student leaders onto our staff as Vikings Vote Ambassadors. We deepened our campus collaborations to effectively engage students from a variety of athletic teams, student organizations, residence areas, and academic departments. We expanded our community partnerships by inviting organizations to join us for events on campus and by co-hosting events in the community including Candidate Forums for Salem City Councillor both in English and Spanish. With a special focus on the local elections this fall, many of our programs were focused on helping students explore the impacts they can have on their local communities by voting as well as involvements beyond the election. As we enter our fifth year as the Frederick E. Berry Institute of Politics, we are gearing up for the “biggest election year in history.” All of our programs focus on fulfilling our mission to engage and inspire the SSU community to be active in our democracy and to pursue careers in politics and public service. Our Vikings Vote initiative will continue to help students navigate the voting process including how to participate in the Presidential Primary Elections. Our Alternative Spring Break to the Massachusetts State House will expose students to challenges facing the Commonwealth and the behind the scenes work of an elected official. Our Running for Office Workshop Series will prepare students interested in working on a campaign during this major election year. And last, but not least, our IOP Fellows program will continue to provide students opportunities to learn, network, and engage with national leaders and change-makers. We are proud of all that our small team has accomplished and grateful for the support from our IOP Advisory Board, generous donors, and the Salem State community! Wishing you a bright new year! Samantha Giffen, Assistant Director
From Voterpalooza to Party at the Polls This fall we hosted two major events focused on getting students registered, ready, and out to the polls to vote in the 2023 Municipal Elections. We kicked off the year with our annual Vikings Voterpalooza to celebrate National Voter Registration Day. This collaborative event included free food sponsored by the Student Government Association, activities sponsored by Campus Life & Recreation, and tables with community organizations that students can get involved in. Over 200 students attended the event and, in partnership with MASSPIRG, we helped over 50 students register to vote. All of our work culminated on Election Day at our annual Party at the Polls to support and celebrate our student voters. There was music, a photobooth, hot drinks, and baked goods. The energy was amazing all day with over 70 resident students voting on campus, which is a 133% increase from our last local election in 2021.
Constitution Day: The Supreme Court and Guns: A Massachusetts Perspective on Gun Violence In partnership with the Politics, Policy, and International Relations department, this event discussed the political landscape on gun violence including Supreme Court actions and Massachusetts gun safety legislation. Speakers included State Representative Michael Day (31st Middlesex), Moms Demand Action Legislation Lead Rina Schneur, and SSU Professor Dan Mulcare.
Salem City Councillor At-Large Candidate Forum
Spanish Salem City Councillor At-Large Candidate Forum
In partnership with the Salem Chamber of Commerce and the League of Women Voters, the Berry IOP hosted a forum at the Hawthorne Hotel so the community could learn more about the candidates for Salem’s City Council. The event was moderated by David Olson, Strategic Advisor for Wayside Trailers and former Editor-in-Chief of the Salem News.
The Berry IOP partnered with local organizations to host a forum at Salem Charter Academy School that provided an opportunity for the Spanish-speaking community to learn more about the candidates for Salem’s City Council. The event was in Spanish with Spanish interpretation provided for candidates answering questions in English. The forum was moderated by Elsabel Rincon, Executive Director of the Welcome Immigrant Network (WIN). This event was co-sponsored with the North Shore Community Development Coalition, Latino Leadership Coalition, Point Neighborhood Association, and League of Women Voters.
Berry Institute of Politics Fall 2023 Newsletter
Meet the Candidates: Salem Ward 5 and 7 City Councillors Candidates Jeff Cohen (Ward 5) and Andy Varela (Ward 7) came to campus to engage with students and share their vision for Salem prior to the municipal election. The Ward 5 and 7 City Councillors represent Salem State University residential students and some commuter students in Salem’s local government. Students asked questions regarding various topics including affordable housing, LGBTQ+ equity, sustainability, and transportation.
Leading Locally: Making Change in Your Community
Visit from Collins Middle School Leading up to the election, we hosted an event with eighth graders from Collins Middle School Pilot Program which is an effort to inspire and empower students through community and projectbased learning. Collins students did research about offices and candidates that were on the Salem ballot in this year’s Municipal Elections then created posters that displayed this information. While on campus, Collins students presented their posters and engaged with SSU students to discuss the election, why voting is important, and what it’s like being a college student.
Berry Institute of Politics Fall 2023 Newsletter
Ahead of the municipal elections this fall, the Berry IOP hosted an event that discussed the functions of local government and its role in making change in the community. Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo joined us on campus to provide an overview of municipal government and then we heard from some of Salem State’s very own local leaders: John Hayes of Geography & Sustainability who is the Chair of Salem’s Sustainability, Energy, and Resiliency Committee (SERC) and Sara Moore of Sociology who is a member of Salem’s Board of Health and Food Policy Council.
Vikings Vote Ambassadors The Berry IOP hired 10 students to serve as Vikings Vote Ambassadors for the Municipal Elections in November 2023 and the Presidential Primary Elections in March 2024. These Vote Ambassadors are responsible for helping students throughout their voting process including assisting them with their voter registration, sharing nonpartisan information about candidates, and helping them create a voting plan. Each Ambassador is a liaison with a specific community or department to inspire a culture of voting across campus. Through class visits, themed tables, partnerships with student organizations, and educational events, the Vote Ambassadors helped over 300 students register to vote and talked to over 2,500 students about voting this fall.
Votar es Poder (Voting is Power) In celebration of Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month, the Berry IOP hosted a powerful conversation with local Latinx leaders about the importance of voting and getting involved in the community. Panelists included: Manny Cruz, Massachusetts State Representative (7th Essex - Salem); Shantel Alix, Director of Community Building for the North Shore Community Development Coalition; and Camila Diaz, President of Pre-Law Society and Berry IOP Program Assistant.
Public Service Internship Scholarships | Summer 2023 Part of the IOP’s mission is to create entry points and break down barriers for all students interested in pursuing careers in politics and public service. One way we fulfill this is by offering competitive scholarships for students completing internships in these fields. For summer 2023, the Berry IOP awarded eight students with a Public Service Internship Scholarship of $3,500. Students’ internships included work in elected officials’ offices, historical research, and community organizations focused on youth advocacy, economic equity, and neighborhood empowerment.
Meet the Team Cynthia Lynch
Samantha Giffen
Miah Reyes ‘24
Jessie Wilson ‘24
Executive Director
Program Assistant
Assistant Director
Program Assistant
FREDERICK E. BERRY INSTITUTE OF POLITICS BerryIOP@salemstate.edu salemstate.edu/BerryIOP @BerryIOP_SSU Berry Institute of Politics Fall 2023 Newsletter
Camila Diaz ‘24 Program Assistant