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When Salem State Foundation board member Virginia Lyons ’16 was still a sophomore, she attended a symposium hosted by the National Association for Black Accountants. At the event, she met a recruiter from Ernst & Young who talked to her about her interests and put her on the path to earning her first internship in the field of finance—a journey that culminated in a full-time job offer with the company following her graduation. 

“The experience and connections I gained from attending the symposium and participating in internships directly led to my current career,” says Virginia. “However, these opportunities are above and beyond the cost of tuition, and many students are only able to take advantage of them if the school helps to fund their attendance.” In addition to her academic and professional endeavors, Virginia was one of the founders of the Black, Brown and Proud student affinity group. The chance to build community and empower her peers remains one of her favorite aspects of her Salem State experience. Today, she remains involved in promoting diversity and equity initiatives within Ernst & Young, building off the strong foundation she gained at Salem. 

Attending professional events and programming for student groups are both funded by unrestricted support for the university. Generous donors helped Virginia thrive both personally and professionally. As a member of the Salem State Foundation board, she is proud to help pay that gift forward. “I originally wanted to attend a private university, but that didn’t make financial sense for my family,” Virginia explains. “What I discovered at Salem State is that—thanks to the support of our community members and donors—incredible learning opportunities can be affordable and accessible for everyone.”