Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
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83 DECEMBER 2019 Road to centralize the institution. New science labs are needed to better prepare students for vocations in STEM and healthcare fields. This fall, the university will submit a plan to the Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) to add seven new wet labs to Meier Hall and have the former Horace Mann School on North Campus house new nursing and occupational therapy simulation labs. As novel as these changes seem, they align with SSU's mission, which began in 1854 with the establishment of the Salem Normal School: "to provide a high quality, student- centered education that prepares a diverse community of learners to contribute responsibly and creatively to a global society, and serve as a resource to advance the region's cultural, social, and economic development." Keenan, whose professional career has centered on social justice, embraces this objective, claiming that "education is not just for elites." None of the advice Keenan received from past presidents prepared him for the actual pace of the job, which he enjoys. "Convocation to commencement is an all-out sprint, with a couple of weeks of quiet time in between semesters," he describes in his warm Boston accent. His first two years were "fascinating to live through and grow into." Now, at the start of year three, Keenan understands "the rhythm of the job." "The exciting and rewarding nature of the job remains the same: seeing our students graduate and succeed," he says. This is his priority. Following the momentum of Keenan's immediate predecessor, President Patricia Maguire Meservey, and her team, SSU's six-year graduation rate continues to climb. Over the past 11 years, it has risen close to 21 percentage points—from 38 percent to 58 percent—putting SSU in the top 7 percent nationally in terms of progress. Keenan's second priority is civic engagement, both inside and outside of the classroom. This is a significant aspect of higher education, he says. "Our students have even challenged me on several fronts, from divesting in fossil fuels to having improved food service on campus—most importantly, having 24/7 dining." When asked what President Keenan does when he is not working assiduously in his new position—when he gets to hang up his hat—he smiles and says, "I love being a dad and spending time with my family." He speaks passionately about his wife, Kara McLaughlin, and their teenage children, Aidan and Erin. You can also read on SSU's website that Keenan is "an avid bike rider" who has raised more than $160,000 over the past 26 years for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute as part of the Pan Mass Challenge. Keenan is quite visible on campus, interacting with students, faculty, and staff alike. He is the people's president and plans on remaining at SSU for several years helping to shape the minds of our future socially responsible leaders. CONTACT salemstate.edu Natural looking results & non-surgical cosmetic procedures. Physician performed aesthetic practice Botox Fillers Skin Tightening CoolSculpting CO2RE INTIMA Clear + Brilliant Hair PRP Hair PRP O-Shot P-Shot Vaginal Rejuvenation RF Microneedling Vampire Facial/Facelift CO2 Laser Resurfacing Ulthe Ultherapy