My name is Jeffrey and I’m currently pursuing an M.Ed. in Higher Education in Student Affairs here at Salem State. As a graduate assistant, I work in the First Year Experience office as a General Student Success Coach. I was born and raised just outside of the city of Chicago, but I’m currently living off-campus in Gallows Hill, Salem. During my undergrad, I studied at Becker College in Worcester, MA as a pre-veterinary student during my first year. However, after becoming an RA and getting involved in student organizations from student government to Farmers For America, I quickly realized that my passion lay in working with students. As such, I switched my major at the beginning of my sophomore year at Becker and graduated a year early. From there, I got accepted to the graduate program here at Salem State University, but I deferred and spent a year as a full-time barista at Starbucks to take a break from the academics, save some money and most importantly, spend more time with my family. Now, I’m excited to jump back into my second year at SSU!
1. I’m left-handed. 2. I was the team captain of my archery team in high school. 3. I have three amazing siblings, all older than me (ages 25, 34, and 39) 4. I was the minister for the wedding of the current manager of the Blackhawks (my brother-in-law!). 5. I’m an uncle! I have two nephews, 8 and 10, and a niece less than a year old. 6.I’ve never broken a bone—and hopefully never will. 7.I was raised just outside the west side of Chicago and came from a public high school of almost 3,000 students. 8.When I was little, I took my first steps while I was in Canada for a few days, but I’ve never been out of the country since. 9.I can't stand the taste or texture of bell peppers. 10.Winter is my favorite season because of the snow (and Christmas). 11.I love to travel, and try to visit my sister who lives in the Bay Area when I can. 12.I used to work as a barista at Starbucks and still remember how to make all the old drinks. 13.This is my second year in Salem, but I got my bachelor’s degree in Worcester, so I’ve been living in Massachusetts for awhile now—save for my gap year, which I spent back home with my family. 14.Dr. Strange is my favorite superhero, and I’ve seen the first Dr. Strange movie too many times to count. 15.My older brother is currently an EMT in Chicago, and he tells me about all the gross stuff he sees on his runs. 16.My family and I love to do those murder mystery box games that are full of evidence needed to solve a crime. 17.I want to retire in San Francisco one day! 18.I’m allergic to cats but really wish that I wasn’t so that I could own one. 19.I think yellow is a severely underrated color, if not the best color. 20.My dream travel destination is Portugal! If I don’t retire in San Francisco, I’d love to retire there instead. 21. I almost exclusively wear Vans even though I can’t skate. 22. I think rain is the best kind of weather. 23. If I turned out to be a girl, my mother planned on naming me Patricia. 24. I think certain pizza places’ pizzas would be better served cold. 25. I ran into some metal workout equipment in the dark when I was younger, and I now have a small scar that runs down the side of my face because of it.