Salem State University, just 15 miles north of Boston, is one of the largest state universities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and an important partner in the economic, cultural and intellectual vitality of the greater north-of-Boston region. Located in the historic seacoast town of Salem, Massachusetts, Salem State provides a diverse community of learners and a high quality, student-centered education; one that prepares them to contribute responsibly and creatively to a global society

Higher Education

Salem State University

Billy Walsh

Yalile Maldonado

Cherié Butts

John D. Keenan, JD is the 14th president of [Salem State University](/org/salem-state-university), a role he began on August 6, 2017.

Prior to being named president, Mr. Keenan served as general counsel and vice president for administration at [Salem State University](/org/salem-state-university). He was responsible for the university’s day-to-day operations in support of its academic mission, overseeing human resources and equal opportunity, capital planning and facilities, information technology, risk and asset management, and university police.

Mr. Keenan previously represented the Seventh Essex District in the Massachusetts State Legislature from 2005 to 2014. He was a leading proponent of gaining university status for Salem State in 2010, the lead sponsor of a bill providing benefits equity for all state university faculty, and an advocate for increased funding for state universities. He also moved a number of significant public projects forward, including the building of the J. Michael Ruane Judicial Center, the Salem MBTA Station, and the Thaddeus Buczko Probate Court. He was the leading proponent of the $1 billion Footprint Power redevelopment of Salem Harbor Station, the largest project in Salem’s almost 400-year history. At Salem State, he utilized this expertise to help fund and recently complete the Sophia Gordon Center for Creative and Performing Arts.

In addition to his strong commitment to public higher education, Mr. Keenan’s time in the state legislature allowed him to be lead on issues of social justice. He voted to preserve marriage equality, address schoolyard bullying, and protect transgendered employees in the work place. While the bill ultimately did not pass, one of his proudest votes was in support of the DREAM Act, to provide in-state tuition for undocumented students.

Before serving as a legislator, Mr. Keenan was an assistant district attorney in Essex County and a member of that office’s first ever Domestic Violence Unit. This experience positioned him to help lead Salem State’s Title IX team, focusing on both the prevention and investigation of sexual assaults on campus. As a result of his efforts, Salem State hosted the National Center for Campus Public Safety’s Trauma-Informed Sexual Assault Investigation and Adjudication Institute on campus in January of 2017. Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey spoke at the institute to bring attention to this national problem. Mr. Keenan also served in the administrations of Mayor Neil Harrington and Mayor Stanley Usovicz as Salem city solicitor.

A lifelong Salem resident, Mr. Keenan is a proud product of Salem Public Schools. Like 35 percent of Salem State students, he is in the first generation of his family to attend college. Mr. Keenan received his bachelor’s degree from Harvard College and his JD from Suffolk University.

Mr. Keenan’s leadership of the North Shore’s only public, four-year institution of higher learning comes after more than 300 years of family history in Salem. He is a direct descendent of Rebecca Nurse, who was executed in the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. This tragedy shapes his commitment to social justice and human rights. He serves on the board of the Salem Award Foundation for Human Rights & Social Justice and on the North Shore Advisory Board of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).

Mr. Keenan resides in Salem with his wife, Kara McLaughlin, and their two children, Aidan and Erin. An avid bike rider, he is a 26-year participant of the Pan Mass Challenge, raising over $160,000 for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

John D. Keenan

Rob Lutts

Ruthanne Russell

Teresa J. Chisholm

Paul Mattera

Magnolia Contreras

Sean Bennett, EdD, arrived at [Salem State University](/org/salem-state-university) in 2020 to lead the university’s strategic diversity and inclusion priorities, working collaboratively with stakeholders throughout campus to develop, implement and embed inclusive excellence in all university endeavors. He entered with more than 20 years of leadership experience across Higher Education and K-12 environments. Prior to joining Salem State, Sean has served as Assistant Dean for Academic Operations & Student Success, Director of the Multicultural Center for Academic Success, and Associate Vice President for Institutional Diversity Initiatives and Pipeline Programs. Across positions, Sean has been charged with demonstrating leadership and innovation on projects impacting university administration, faculty, staff, and students. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from [Clarkson University](/org/clarkson-university) and Master of Education degrees from both the State University of New York at Brockport and [Harvard University](/org/harvard). Sean completed a doctorate in Higher Education Management at the [University of Pennsylvania](/org/university-of-pennsylvania) and most recently worked at the [Rochester Institute of Technology](/org/rochester-institute-of-technology) in Rochester, NY.

Sean Bennett

Karen House joined [Salem State University](/org/salem-state-university) in 2014 and is responsible for the development of the institution’s annual budget and the multi-year financial plan, including the allocation of fiscal resources in support of the university’s academic and administrative programs; and for overall fiscal accountability. She also oversees capital planning and facilities. A graduate of the [University of Virginia](/org/university-of-virginia) in Charlottesville, VA, she holds, in addition, a master’s degree in business administration and a graduate certificate from Plymouth State University in Plymouth, NH. Ms. House has extensive experience in the private sector as an accountant, internal auditor and management accountant. She began her career in academia at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, progressing to associate vice president for business affairs/comptroller before joining Keene State College in 2000.

Karen House

Nate Bryant, EdD, joined Salem State in 1987 and today brings his 30 years of leadership at the university to his role as vice president of student success. In his current role, Bryant oversees the areas of marketing and communications, student life, enrollment management, and the Center for Academic Excellence. He has previously held the positions of chief of staff, assistant dean of the Center for Academic Excellence, assistant dean of students for the student life office, and director of undergraduate admissions. He served as the interim president of North Shore Community College in 2021. Bryant received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Salem State, his master’s in education from Salem State, and his doctorate in higher education from the University of Massachusetts – Boston. A resident of Salem, he has served his community in various capacities, including the Salem School Committee.

Nate Bryant

James Lampassi

Samanda Morales

Rita Colucci, Esq., joined Salem State in December 2017, as the university’s general counsel. In her role, she also oversees human resources and equal opportunity, and information technology services. Her 10 years of experience in public higher education include roles as general counsel, chief of staff and board secretary, while also overseeing marketing and communications, public safety and human resources. Prior to joining the world of higher education, Colucci worked as a labor attorney and human resources director for several state agencies. Colucci holds a JD from New England/Boston and BS in political science from [Southern Connecticut State University](/org/southern-connecticut-state-university).



Rita Colucci

With over 15 years of administrative experience, Provost David Silva, PhD joined Salem State in March 2015. He has served in numerous capacities at the University of Texas at Arlington, including his role as founding department chair of the newly established department of linguistics. In 2007, he was appointed vice provost for academic affairs where he was responsible for a broad portfolio of academic initiatives, and then went on to become the university’s vice provost for faculty affairs. As a scholar of linguistics, Mr. Silva has an extensive research portfolio that focuses on phonetic variation and language change in Korean. He has also published and presented on issues germane to university-level teaching and assessment. His scholarly work has been funded by the Fulbright Program, the Korea Foundation, and the Academy of Korean Studies, among many others. Mr. Silva holds a bachelor of arts degree from [Harvard University](/org/harvard), a master of arts in linguistics degree and a doctor of philosophy degree in linguistics, both from [Cornell University](/org/cornell-university). His teaching career began at the University of Texas at Arlington, where he became a full professor of linguistics.

David J. Silva

With 23 years of fundraising experience, Cheryl Crounse has worked in increasing roles and responsibilities within Institutional Advancement since she arrived in 2011. Each role has prepared her for her role as Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the Salem State University Foundation, Inc., where Cheryl is responsible for developing and advancing fundraising strategy through alumni relations, annual giving, advancement services, campaign strategies, events, major gift and planned gifts, and communications as well as overseeing the administration, programs and strategic plans for the Salem State University Foundation, Inc., and its 19-member governing board. Prior to joining Salem State, Cheryl led various advancement efforts at [Emerson College](/org/emerson-college), Harvard Graduate School of Education and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. She received her Business Administration degree from Oswego State University and is a proud first-generation college graduate.

Salem State University

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