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By Lillien Kelley ‘2

This spring, the Frederick E. Berry Institute of Politics is launching a new Running for Office Workshop Series! This is a semester-long program that will empower and equip undergraduate and graduate students with the skills and knowledge needed to to run for elected office or work on an election campaign at any level. This in-person program includes a total of 4 monthly workshops facilitated by political consultants from who have experience working with local, statewide, and national political and advocacy campaigns. Errin Douglas, the Chief Operations Officer of The Davis System, LLC, is a 2018 graduate of ����ֱ�� with a B.S in Business Administration as a Katzman’s Entrepreneurship Scholar.

After an application process, the Berry IOP accepted a cohort of 8 students to enroll in the workshop series. We are excited to welcome the following inaugural participants:

Cameron Foley ‘22 (she/her) is an undergraduate student who is majoring in Political Science and minoring in Environmental Sustainability.

William Walsh ‘23 (he/him) is an undergraduate student majoring in Political Science, and minoring in Spanish, Legal Studies, and History. William is also a Senator in the Student Government Association (SGA) on campus.

Derek Baseman ‘22 is an undergraduate student majoring in Political Science. 

Shorash Shirwany ‘22 (he/him), a graduate student pursuing a Master of Art in English Literature spoke about joining the program. “It is my dream to become a social and political activist and run for public office someday. In doing so, I gladly would be the voice of the youth and at the service of my community.” said Shirwany. 

Carrie Jelsma ‘22 (she/her) is a graduate student pursuing a Master of Social Work. Through this workshop, she says she is excited to “learn how to better apply my social work skills and knowledge to the political arena. Learning how to work in our political systems is key to being able to achieve social justice. Who could benefit from more social workers in politics? All of us!”

The following students served as Voter Registration Ambassadors (VRAs) with the Berry IOP during the Fall 2021 local election season. As VRAs, they were responsible for supporting Salem State students through the voting process. They helped students register to vote, and submit their ballots. By enrolling in this workshop series, these students will build upon the skills they gained as VRAs.

Izzy Welch ‘22 (she/her) is an undergraduate student majoring in Political Science and minoring in English.

Michael Corely ‘22 (he/him) is an undergraduate student majoring in Media and Communications with a concentration in Journalism and a double minor in History and English. Michael also serves as the Assistant Treasurer of the SGA and is one of the founders of the College Republicans at ����ֱ��.

Nora McQuade ‘25 (she/her) is a first year undergraduate student majoring in History. Nora also serves as a Senator for the SGA.

The Berry Institute of Politics is excited to see these students grow as they gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to run for office!