A Remarkable Story
Meet Summer James
Meet Brian
“To me, being remarkable means being a leader, someone who can encourage and inspire other people.”
Summer James, a senior, has found inspiration and purpose during her four years at Salem College. Summer is double-majoring in psychology and public health, with a minor in health advocacy. “Salem gives a variety of opportunities to explore what you’re interested in, without having to stick to one thing. For example, I started off majoring in just psychology, and I realized the new public health degree intersects with psychology. I really like how Salem’s curriculum gives you the opportunity to take different classes, which can shape where you end up,” she said.
Summer’s goal is to pursue a career in mental health advocacy, and she would like to work with young children of color to “help them understand their mental health and ways to address it.” Summer is working on an extensive research project focused on the effects attending a primarily white school has on students of color. She began with a qualitative study–a focus group of six students of color–and is awaiting the results of a survey that was distributed to every school in the North Carolina Triad region. Summer presented her findings thus far at the North Carolina Honors Association Conference, where she was recognized as a top presenter. “Sharing my work at the North Carolina Honors Association Conference was an eye-opening experience. Being more of a shy and reserved person, it was a way that I could break out of my shell and share my experiences and research with people from different schools. Being recognized as a top presenter made me more confident that what I’m studying is important,” Summer said of her experience at the conference.
Summer is part of the Salem Scholar program, a four-year scholarship and leadership program for incoming Salem College students who are interested in health and have a demonstrated record of academic excellence and leadership. The mentor Summer has built a relationship with through the program has been a massive source of inspiration. Summer said of their relationship, “She was really able to help me define my goals and give me the confidence and motivation to have a detailed plan of where I want to be in the next few years, and what I want to do while I’m in school. I really think the time with my mentor has shaped who I’ve become.”
“Salem College’s focus on women’s empowerment has shaped me to be more cognizant of being a woman and how I can address systemic issues and barriers in society. Being a woman, I have the voice to stand up and say what needs to be said. Salem has really shaped that by empowering women to understand who they are and what they can contribute.”
Her professors at Salem College have also been instrumental in Summer’s academic success: “My professor and advisor, Dr. Robertson, has really helped me. He’s given me the courage to step out of my comfort zone, do new things, and do research that I know is impactful to people who may have experienced the same thing as me.”