Beacon Email Newsletter MARCH 2020

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Greetings from BEACON!

The new year brings with it a flurry of new activity at BEACON. In addition to a full load of applied research projects, BEACON is also home to a number of community initiatives. One such initiative is Bienvenidos a Delmarva. Bienvenidos a Delmarva (Welcome to Delmarva) is a capacity-enhancement network of over 70 service-providing organizations that came together in 2000 to better prepare for the needs of the region’s non-native-born population.

Over the past several decades, migration has changed the demographics of the Delmarva Peninsula in a dramatic way. The Latinx population alone has increased by as much as 300% in parts of Lower Delaware and 200% in some parts of the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland. At this time, there are more than 31 different languages spoken on Delmarva. Members of the immigrant population have a wide variety of economic and professional backgrounds. They work in industries such as agriculture, construction, transportation, health care, ship building and aerospace. They are farm workers, welders, physicians, engineers and rocket scientists.

Bienvenidos a Delmarva focuses on five priority areas: language, education, health, transportation and legal aid. Members of the network work together to make sure that they are better prepared to work with the region’s growing immigrant communities in these priority areas. Bienvenidos a Delmarva welcomes all interested individuals and organizations. For more information, contact us at BIENVENIDOS@salisbury.edu.

Please be on the lookout for the 2020 Bienvenidos a Delmarva 20^th Anniversary Forum in late September or early October of this year.

Sincerely,

Dr. Memo Diriker, Director Dr. Sarah Guy, Associate Director

Understanding the

Business of Politics

Did you know that by some estimates, over $15 billion will be spent on politics this year? On Monday, February 10, BEACON, the Honors College and PACE sponsored "Understanding the Business of Politics" to explain why and what happens to this money. Attendees learned more about the mechanics of the campaign industry from a panel of experts.

Taste of the Eastern Shore

On Thursday, February 13, BEACON staff were delighted to once again be a sponsor at the annual Taste of the Eastern Shore (TOTES) event. This was our 18th year and we cannot be more pleased with the outcome. Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland always puts on an incredible showcase of our beloved Shore. Thank you so much to all who were involved!

UPCOMING EVENT

Sunday- Tuesday, May 3-5: MEDA Annual Conference

Student Spotlight: Cate McCreavy

My name is Cate McCreavy and I am an undergraduate research assistant with BEACON at Salisbury University.

I am currently a junior accounting major in the Perdue School of Business and a member of the Honors College. I am from Lafayette Hill, PA, which is right outside the city of brotherly love. I wanted a change of pace and environment from what I was so accustomed to so I decided to move to the Eastern Shore to attend Salisbury. I have not looked back since. I was fortunate enough to be hired by BEACON at the beginning of the fall 2019 semester, and I have enjoyed every minute of it.

Since starting at BEACON, I have worked on a variety of projects. Collaborating with my fellow teammates, I have worked on economic impact studies, strategic planning and statistical profile economic studies. My favorite part about working at BEACON so far is the variety of projects I have been able to work on. From the National Folk Festival to currently the horticulture industry, the projects and work I have been exposed to would never have been possible if BEACON had not decided to bring me onto their team. I have learned so much over these short few months and I look forward to the upcoming months as I continue to learn and receive advice from my fellow “BEACONites."

Outside of my time spent at BEACON, I can be found working on my accounting homework. I am on track to graduate next May with 150 credits, allowing me to sit for the CPA. Upon graduation, I hope to be hired by a firm working on audits. When I am not studying or working, I am usually attending meetings or at different events on campus. I recently was elected president of my sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha. I am also an active member of Beta Alpha Psi and a University Host on campus. Each organization I am involved with has shaped me to be the leader and person I am today. I am so thankful for all of the opportunities Salisbury University and BEACON continues to provide me with that help prepare me for my future career and more.

Contact Information

1101 Camden Ave Perdue Hall, Suite 100

Salisbury, MD 21801

P: 410-546-6001

Email us at beacon@salisbury.edu

SU is an Equal Opportunity/AA/Title IX university and provides reasonable accommodation given sufficient notice to the University office or staff sponsoring the event or program. For more information regarding SU’s policies and procedures, please visit www.salisbury.edu/equity .

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