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2025 Celebration of Academic Excellence at Salem College

CAE Logo 2024

For over 250 years, Salem College has been committed to the tradition of academic excellence. For generations, Salem students have distinguished themselves as student scholars in their undergraduate work in the creative and performing arts, humanities, social and natural sciences, professional programs, and teacher education. The Celebration of Academic Excellence epitomizes the intellectual engagement, unwavering curiosity, steadfast commitment, and perseverance through the sometimes challenging, but ultimately rewarding research and creative process. This event is one of the many  treasured traditions we have enjoyed throughout Salem's history, as it celebrates the intellectual community and supportive bonds that link students each year, across years, and from one generation to the next. As a celebration of academic achievement, it represents the pride that Salem College has in all of its students.

Our celebration begins with the Faculty Research Symposium, followed by concurrent sessions, representing scholarly academic research and creative expression of Salem's undergraduates. The closing session will offer a time of reflection and discussion facilitated by a multidisciplinary faculty panel. The day concludes with the College community gathering for the annual Leadership Banquet, which honors outstanding students for their leadership and service while at Salem.  

You can learn more about our presenters and their projects by clicking on the titles below. We are excited for you to join us in celebrating and publicly acknowledging the academic and creative accomplishments of our students and faculty!

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2025 Session I

8:30 - 9:45 am

Opening Session - Faculty Symposium

Better Together: Salem’s Journey with NASA

Rebecca Dunn
Kris Porazzi Sorrells
Professor Rebecca C. Dunn & Head of School Kris Porazzi Sorrells

This talk will explore a collaborative initiative between Salem Academy and College and North Forsyth High School, focused on increasing the retention of women in...

2025 Session II

10:00 - 11:15 am

Honors

Multidisciplinary

The School-to-Prison Pipeline: How Does the Socioeconomic Structure of Forsyth County Impact the School Policies that Push Students into the Criminal Justice System, and How Can We Utilize Community-Based Solutions to Disrupt the Pipeline?

Tashica Bogle
Tony Davis
Kamryn McShan
Tashica Bogle, Latonya Davis, & Kamryn McShan

The school system functions as a school-to-prison pipeline, subtly criminalizing many innocent children from an early age, particularly those from marginalized communities. Strict disciplinary policies—such...

2025 Session III

11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Multidisciplinary

A Comparative Analysis of Jamaican Parents in Jamaica and the US: How Do Historical and Cultural Factors Shape Jamaican Parents' Views on Their Children’s Career Expectations, Success, and Social Mobility?

This study looks at how historical and cultural factors shape Jamaican parents' views on their children's career expectations, success, and social mobility, comparing the perspectives...

Honors

2025 Session IV

1:45 - 2:45 pm

Poster Session

How Has the Opioid Crisis Changed Surrounding Specific Geographic Areas Following the 2012 Obama Administration?

The opioid crisis has had a major effect on our society. This overall public health emergency has led to addiction, overdose, and misuse in our...

How Victim Resource Accessibility Influences Rates of Domestic Violence Across the State of North Carolina

Abigail Hawkins
Carlee McWilliam
Samantha Mendez
Kyla Simmons
Abigail Hawkins, Carlee McWilliam, Samantha Mendez, & Kyla Simmons

How do the different cultural, geographic, and economic factors affect rates, types, and risks of domestic violence? Furthermore, how does accessibility to aid and resources...

English & Professional Writing

2025 Session V

3:00 - 4:00 pm

English & Creative Writing

Visual & Performing Arts

2025 Session VI

4:15 - 5:00 pm

Closing Session - Faculty Panel with Student Discussion

Reflecting on the Day

Traci Porter
Maria Knuckley Robinson
Nicki Young
Tiffany Zhang
Maria Knuckley Robinson, Nicki Young, & Tiffany Zhang

This closing session will offer a time of reflection and discussion facilitated by a multidisciplinary faculty panel featuring Professors Traci Porter, Maria Knuckley Robinson, Nicki...