Scarlett Urbaez is a double-major at Salem College and taking advantage of the unique health and humanitarian systems major as well as our public health major. She advocates for others to use their voice and wants to be a humanitarian that helps people through health advocacy policy.

Cadence Durham is a sophomore at Salem College and studying health sciences while minoring in studio art. Cadence is a key part of the Salem tennis team and is part of the Salem Scholars program which has given her academic opportunities beyond her wildest imagination.

Clare Buchanan made the pilgrimage from Los Angeles to Salem College without having stepped foot in North Carolina. The journey has been everything she’s hoped for and more. She will be entering her second year in the Fall as she majors in Nonprofit Management and Environmental Studies with a History minor. Clare’s found that her time at Salem College has already been life-changing and life-affirming.

Alysa Thombs is a sophomore at Salem College and is a double-major in public health and health science with a minor in nutrition. After leaving her home life in Virginia, Alysa found a new kind of family and home at Salem College.

Isabel Scott is a senior at Salem College double-majoring in business and psychology and she has become an impactful leader during her time at Salem. She’s taken advantage of the small school atmosphere and the opportunities it creates, which has led to her serving as the President of SGA, Treasurer of Dance Company, Vice President of Rotaract and the school’s soccer captain. She plans to use the skills she gained at Salem College to be a leader in the business world after graduation.

Ashlynn is Salem’s director of student engagement and through her own experiences as a college student and working with many diverse students during her career in student life, she is a guiding example of how to embrace opportunities and allow them to positively shape a clear set of values and a rewarding future in leadership.

Sarah Ravenel cherished her time at Salem Academy so much that she became a Salem College student and has dreams of obtaining her graduate degrees from Salem as well. Despite her love for Salem, she has enriched her college experience by taking advantage of our partnership with Wake Forest University and the access it gives her to a different kind of extracurricular experience.

On her first day of kindergarten, Professor Jamila Young’s father dropped her off and told her to ‘leave no stone unturned.’ Over the years, her parents encouraged her that she could be anything she wanted and she did just that. From her childhood years in Albany, Georgia until now, she discovered her love for learning and her drive for making an impact on the world. Her natural curiosity and zest for leadership led her to becoming an assistant professor of health law and policy at Salem College.

Alisa Alexander is a health sciences major entering her final semester at Salem College before she begins optometry school. She credits her time at Salem with helping her find her new career path and to be ready to pursue it. Alisa reflects on her time at Salem and the professors who helped her along the way.

Meet Erica Shepperd-Debnam, whose journey from Salem to her current role as an Ambulatory Clinical Pharmacist at Children’s National Hospital in D.C. is a testament to Salem’s transformative power.

As Salem College’s orientation and first-year engagement coordinator, Sydney Bowen understands that first impressions last a lifetime. In her role, Sydney ensures first-year college students experience a smooth transition into college life, a critical initiative to students’ longtime success.

A current student at Salem College majoring in sociology with a concentration in criminology, Sarah Limbach dreams of becoming the next President of the United States. She has found a home at Salem College where she feels empowered by her friends and enriched by the opportunities that a place like Salem has given her. Sarah’s aspirations to attend law school will pave a path for her to become a politician and serve in the country’s highest offices. Her Salem experience will shape her journey into politics due to the unforgettable experiences and bonds she has formed here.

Wendy Hawkins is more than just the operations sustainability coordinator at Salem College, she is also a 2022 graduate with a BA in environmental studies with a concentration in conservation and ecology. Wendy is on a mission at Salem to bring sustainability to life and educate campus about the wonders and complexities about how human interactions affect the environment.

For Alex Byers, Salem is a way of life. From growing up in Winston-Salem to attending both Salem Academy and College, Salem’s impact on Byers’s life is one she’ll always remember. Since 2016, she has embarked on an incredible journey at Salem that’s taught her to think critically, be a fearless leader, and build lasting friendships that will endure the test of time. 

As an American College of Sports Medicine Clinical Exercise Physiologist and a senior staff member of Wake Forest University’s (WFU) Healthy Exercise and Lifestyle Programs (HELPS), Salem College’s Assistant Professor of Exercise Science, Carlo Davids, helps Salem students discover health leadership through the study of movement and how it impacts the health and fitness of the human body.

Logan Rost, ND, MPH, CHES^® (C’13), was born in rural middle Tennessee. Recruited by Salem College’s soccer team and awarded the prestigious Lucy Hanes Chatham full-tuition academic scholarship, Logan initially had questions about attending a small college. Although Logan was at first hesitant to attend a small college, Salem’s size ended up being one of the things she valued most about her college experience. Today, Logan is a Naturopathic Doctor and Public Health Professional in Pateros, Washington and appreciates the science faculty at Salem for her undergraduate study. She also is a proponent of Salem College’s Health Leadership focus.

Dr. Janice Jett, assistant professor and program director at Salem College, is a beacon of inspiration! Her journey from a gifted student to leading Salem’s Master of Educational Leadership program is truly remarkable. With a passion for education and a commitment to developing outstanding leaders, Dr. Jett’s impact reaches far and wide.

A Winston-Salem native, Breshaun Liles spends most of his days finding ways to help others, whether it’s volunteering at his church, coaching basketball to high schoolers, or mentoring students at Salem College. His heart of gold and boundless generosity inspires the hearts and minds of everyone who crosses his path. Breshaun’s strong faith and humble passion for helping others shines through his life’s mission.

Salem College and REACH Women’s Network joined forces for an inspiring mentoring program, connecting Salem’s students with REACH’s diverse mentors. Led by REACH co-presidents Iris Cole and Julia Townsend, the program focuses on honing skills, networking, and fostering career clarity. Mentees participate in engaging events, including goal-setting, strengths assessment, and speed networking.

Juyoung Shin C’16 was born and grew up in a small port city called Gunsan in Korea until her family moved to the United States when Juyoung was in middle school. For most of her life in America, Juyoung lived in the Triangle area of North Carolina. After attending a large high school, Juyoung knew that she wanted to go to a smaller college where she could get to know everyone and become a vital part of the community.

Rynne Ambrose Hankins A’08, C’12 is a Salem supporter through and through, having gone to both the Academy and College before earning her Ph.D. in chemistry from Wake Forest University. She cherishes her time at both Salem institutions, truly valuing the unique experiences they afforded her.

Thanks to a remarkable partnership, Salem College’s counseling services and health services are both operated by Novant Health. This joint venture has created an opportunity for Amber Kelley, Director of Counseling Services, and Emily Brown Smingler, Advanced Practice Provider, to care for students’ physical and mental health while utilizing the resources of Novant Health, one of the leading healthcare providers in the country. This truly remarkable collaboration benefits the current and future health of our Salem College students.

Monique Farrell (C ’01) was born in Trinidad, West Indies and lived there until she was seven when her family moved to Miami. She remained in Miami until August 1997 when Monique, at 18, began her undergraduate education at a remarkable place: Salem College.