Get Career-Ready with: Miguel Salvador '23, Social Justice Studies Major Student Profile
Photo by Madi Fisher '23
Meet Miguel Salvador '23
- Major/Program
- Social Justice Studies
- College Activities
- Treasurer of the LatinX Student Association and resident educator. I also love attending Campus Activities Board's events, like bingo night and their weekly coffee stations.
- Hometown
- Honesdale, Pa.
- High School
- Wayne Highlands Honesdale High School
- Dream Job
- University professor
- Hobbies & Interests
- Photography, reading and writing
"There is a great sense of community at Point Park. It is a fairly small university, but the advantage of that is you are not just a number here on campus. You can make valuable connections with the faculty and staff throughout your time at Point Park. The resources here, such as the professors, networking opportunities and the ability to gain hands-on experience, will help you become successful in your career."
Why did you choose Point Park University?
For me, it was the hands-on learning that really caught my interest when researching the school. I also found it amazing that Point Park is right downtown and close to so many activities. Another big factor was my major. Point Park is one of the few universities that teach social justice studies. There is a great sense of community at Point Park. It is a fairly small university, but the advantage of that is you are not just a number here on campus. You can make valuable connections with the faculty and staff throughout your time at Point Park. The resources here, such as the professors, networking opportunities and the ability to gain hands-on experience, will help you become successful in your career.
Describe your favorite professors and courses.
Many of my favorite professors are those who teach courses within my major. Chris Girman, Ph.D., Jehnie Burns, Ph.D., Sarah Schulz, Ph.D., Adale Sholock, Ph.D., Dora Ion, Ph.D., and J. Dwight Hines, Ph.D., have taught me a lot about my chosen field. Instructors Jaime Simmons, a student in Point Park's Ph.D. in Community Engagement program, and Ben Schonberger, M.F.A., are also great contributors to the social justice studies program. The consistency I've received from them throughout my education here as a transfer student has been phenomenal. I also want to express my special thanks to Robert Ross, Ph.D. He is truthfully the reason why I came to study at Point Park. On a whim, I emailed him at the last minute asking for a reason why I should come to Point Park after already committing to another institution. After hearing from him, I knew I wanted to learn from him. He teaches one of my favorite courses, Economic Geography. The course explores the historical context of the economy, how it functions, how it geographically expands, and how to examine it through a social justice lens.
@pointparku Take a look into a day in the life of what's it's like to get career-ready as a Social Justice Studies major at #PointParkUniversity with senior Miguel Salvador! Check out his Q&A at pointpark.edu ✨ #GRWM #GetReadyWithMe #PointParkU #SocialJustice #SocialJusticeMajor ♬ Morning with U - Tollan Kim
How is Point Park preparing you for a career in social justice?
Point Park offers a very hands-on learning experience. You are not just learning in a classroom. Networking opportunities provided through the University and the downtown location contribute to your education. My assignments have included attending events related to my major all over the city. Whether it was a speaker, a special event or a symposium, these experiences connected with my coursework.
I am currently doing my second internship, working with a nonprofit organization called Interrogating Justice. I provide research related to the cases and causes they're pursuing. I just worked on a project focused on celebrities who have been, or had family members, incarcerated and are supporters of prison reform.
What are some of the activities you have been involved in on campus?
I am treasurer of the LatinX Student Association, for which I attend meetings with the rest of the board members, help create events, locate supplies for events and file budget requests. It is a fun position to be in, especially when I get to see everything come together for a great event. I am also a resident educator on campus for Lawrence Hall's 18th and 20th floors. My job includes conducting tours, creating monthly programs for my residents and advising my residents as needed. I get to plan and attend pretty cool events with my fellow resident educators. I was also a campus tour guide for a while. I enjoyed answering students' questions, especially transfer students. It was a fulfilling experience seeing them come to Point Park the following semester.
What are your top three places to hang out on campus and why?
First, you have to head over to the University Center and spend some time in the vault. It is a great place to get some work done in a quiet setting. They have huge bean bag chairs, perfect for relaxing. I also hang out on the fourth floor of Lawrence Hall. Located one floor above the dining hall, it has a comfy lounge with furniture and you can watch TV. Finally, another favorite place of mine is Point Perk, our campus coffee shop. It is a nice place to hang out and get work done because there is always music playing and it has an excellent view of Village Park.