A Remarkable Story
Meet Heather Zifchak
Meet Heather
Salem College alumna and Director of Alumnae Engagement Heather Zifchak C’93 didn’t lay eyes on Salem’s campus–or even the city of Winston-Salem–until the day she arrived for her freshman year with a trunk full of her belongings. Originally from Florida, Heather spent her high school years at an all-girls boarding school in Virginia. Heather loved her high school experience so much that she knew she wanted to attend a women’s college. After being accepted into the five colleges she applied to, Heather decided Salem College was the place for her.
“I lived on campus all four years. Everyone I ever lived with as roommates are still my very best friends to this day.”
Heather, who majored in interior design, flourished throughout her four years at Salem College and said, “I truly loved being at Salem. I really enjoyed the smaller environment. I loved having classes with 10 or 11 students.” Heather formed close relationships with many of her professors and said she tells current students that, in addition to the friendships made with fellow students, “friendships with your professors can last forever.”
Heather still sees many of her Salem College classmates regularly, and they remain very close. When reflecting on the four years she spent building relationships with her Salem Sisters, Heather said, “We just did everything as groups. All of our activities were fun, both on- and off-campus, and we did everything as a group. For example, we all took pottery classes down at Sawtooth School for Visual Art together.”
It was a full-circle moment when Heather returned to Salem, first as a volunteer, then as a Salem Academy mom–her daughter graduated from the Academy in 2025–and finally as a full-time employee in her role as Director of Alumnae Engagement. “I was on the 250th committee, which formed during COVID, so Salem could be ready to celebrate its 250th anniversary. We met virtually for a while, then Salem opened its campus again in August 2021. That’s when I started coming into Katherine Watts C’80’s office to set up a mini store of 250th merchandise. April 2022 was our big 250th celebration, and I joined Salem full-time in the alumnae office in September 2022.”
Heather is a Salem Sister through and through, and she’s thrilled for all of the current Salem College students who are now part of the school’s 254-year legacy. Her advice to them is to “appreciate each day. You may not know it, but this is such an incredible time. You can enjoy learning and build friendships; it’s such a unique time to finish becoming who you are.”
“It’s an incredible place–there’s nothing quite like Salem.”