Be Remarkable: Meet Jessica Rogers
“Salem women are incredible. They are incredible, and they are impactful.”
Born and raised in Greensboro, North Carolina, Jessica Rogers decided to attend Salem College after her high school guidance counselor encouraged her to apply. She had also applied to several other schools and didn’t give Salem much thought until she was awarded a scholarship and invited to visit the campus. “I fell in love with it, despite my best efforts,” she laughed. “I was awestruck by how many people already knew my name–not just people in the admissions office, but professors I met with already knew my name. I felt like this place really was a community. It felt like a place where I could be myself.”
Jessica double majored in History and Psychology and said that because of Salem’s small class sizes, she got to know every single one of her professors really well. She stayed busy during her four years of college and was part of Fremdendienerin (a Student Ambassador Group) and the Student Government Association. She was also an orientation leader, a Presidential Scholar, and a Carroll Lennon Student Life Award Recipient in 2004.
“It was revolutionary to think about educating girls in the 1700s, and we are still doing that; we are still revolutionary. We are still breaking down barriers for girls and women and doing it in a way that is really authentic and genuine. And it’s a fun place!”
When she has run into her professors over the years, they still remember her. “I had such a great experience, and that is part of the reason why, after graduating, I started working for Salem College admissions. I thought ‘this is the thing I already know how to do, to talk about how amazing Salem is,’” she said. After working in admissions for two years, Jessica moved overseas with her husband, who was serving in the military. Upon returning to North Carolina, she worked for a local community college in their financial aid office until Salem drew her back, and she returned as the Assistant Dean of Admissions. Three years later, she transitioned to a new role as Director of Enrollment Management at Salem Academy. Jessica has loved working with Academy students and their families and enthused, “it’s this incredibly formative time of their lives. The power of helping a student grow into who she’s supposed to be is incredible. It’s amazing to watch them grow over that span of four years.”
“Girls get to be who they’re supposed to be here. You don’t have to start one way and end that way; we want students to grow and change, and I think it’s so amazing to get to be part of that and to see it happen in real time.”
When asked what she loves about Salem, Jessica answered without hesitation: “I love the sense of community. I love that when I’m having a tough day, I can get up and walk around this campus, and it can change my whole mood. I love that I know every single one of our groundskeepers. I love that I know all of our maintenance staff. I love that Ms. Lena, who was cleaning the Gramley dorm when I was a student, remembers me, and she’s still here. I love the power of this place, the power of sisterhood and community.”
For Jessica, Salem was never simply a school she attended; it became her home. From her first visit to campus as a prospective Salem College student, to her role as Director of Enrollment for Salem Academy, her remarkable story is one of community and belonging.