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ΒιΆΉ³ΙΘΛΎ«Ζ· Jessica Patti β08, β09, β12G, β20G has a long history with Salem State. She earned her bachelorβs at the university, stayed to complete her master's in special education, and recently returned to earn her Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in educational leadership in 2020.
The CAGS program is designed to help professionals advance in their careers. For professor Patti, one of the key advantages was the programβs willingness to accommodate her schedule and needs as a working teacher. βThe instructors met us where we wereβliterally. They came to our school to teach us about what it means to be a leader, how to use data effectively, how to lead adult learning, how to manage budgets, and more.β
Her connection to the university doesnβt end there: Now sheβs a visiting professor teaching at the Salem State McKeown School of Education. βWhen I first came to Salem State, I had no idea the influence that this school would have on my life,β professor Patti explains. βMy professors saw me for who I was and who I could become. I try to carry on that spirit in my own teaching. And if Salem State develops a doctoral program, I will be first in line!β
βAs an undergraduate, I remember taking a class on the third floor of Sullivan overlooking the ocean,β she continues. βThereβs this magic hour when the sun is setting and you can see it reflected in the ripples of the water and you feel like this is where you were always supposed to be. How wonderful that the first class I ever taught on campus was in that same room.β