CoEdu Graduate Student and David Eccles School of Business Alum Abbey Salamera Featured in BBC Video

Meet Abbey Salamera, a graduate student in the Education, Culture, and Society (ECS) program here at the College of Education, who was recently featured in the video “Supporting mental wellbeing to empower success” presented by the David Eccles School of Business and produced by the BBC. As the Program Coordinator for Student Engagement & Belonging (SEB) at the David Eccles School of Business, Abbey plays a key role in planning belonging events and collaborating with affinity organizations to build community. Abbey is not only shaping her own academic journey but also making a significant impact on her community. She believes education has the power to transform individuals and communities.

 For Abbey, education is not just about acquiring knowledge, it’s about the pursuit of learning and the ability to use that learning to create meaningful change. 

“To me, education is about the pursuit of learning,” she explains. “Whether education is taken casually or professionally, it has the power to impact the lives of learners who want to make a difference with the knowledge and experiences that they get. By providing everyone with the opportunity of education, everyone has a chance to engage in their communities and transform their environment.” 

Abbey’s graduate work in ECS has been crucial in shaping her understanding of the backgrounds and experiences of students. A course she has taken, Social Inequality in Higher Education, helped her understand the challenges students face, particularly those from marginalized communities. This academic perspective has influenced her professional work in SEB, where she can create a more supportive environment for all students. Her studies also provide her with the tools to advocate for students in the face of challenges, such as navigating policies like Utah’s HB251 legislation, which can impact many student services.

Her involvement is showcased in the BBC Storyworks video about mental health at the Eccles School. The video highlights the importance of mental health resources for students. Abbey was inspired to participate in the video because of the initiative’s focus on supporting students as whole individuals. 

“The main thing that inspired me was the In a Pinch Basic Needs Initiative” Abbey shares. “This campus resource provides students with resources for their basic needs such as food, housing, mental health, and more, and it's very important to think about taking care of the students as their whole selves.” 

The In a Pinch Basic Needs Initiative, led by the Office of Student Engagement & Belonging at the David Eccles School of Business, strives to help students access essential resources. This initiative is designed to reduce challenges that might stand in the way of students' academic and personal success and rooted in the belief that every student should have the support they need and aid when it’s needed most.

 The process of creating the video was a chance to reflect on her own experiences as both a U student and a staff member. She views the video as an opportunity to raise awareness and break down the stigma around mental health in higher education. 

“Especially at the business school, or anywhere, mental health is not really brought up. I hope this video reminds everyone that it’s okay to struggle and that there are support systems available to help us through difficult times,” she says.

Her graduate studies have guided her with the knowledge to understand and address the importance of student experiences, and she will continue making a positive impact on the student experience. Her professional aspirations include furthering her work in student services, creating spaces where students feel heard, supported, and empowered to succeed. 

“Education is a powerful tool, it’s about providing opportunities for students to grow and find their place in the world, and I want to be part of that process,” Abbey says.

Through her studies, her work at Student Engagement and Belonging, and her participation in initiatives like the BBC video, Abbey is committed to making a difference in the lives of students, ensuring that mental health and well-being factors into conversations around higher education.