Andover's Billy Walsh Will Be Student Rep. On Salem State Board

SALEM, MA — Andover resident Billy Walsh, a senior at Salem State, will serve as a student trustee on the school's Board of Trustees during the 2022-23 academic year, the university announced last week.

Walsh, who is majoring in politics, policy and international relations, with a double major in history, was elected by his peers and appointed by Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker.

"I am excited to represent my fellow students as a trustee and look forward to serving them like they are my constituents," Walsh said. "I ran for election on not raising student fees and advocating for more state funding for higher education, and I intend to uphold those promises. Most importantly, I want to hear from students on how the Board of Trustees can better serve them."

Walsh currently is a senator on the Student Government Association (SGA) at Salem State and previously was the chair of the SGA's Rules Committee.

Previously, Walsh has served on the university's Curriculum Committee, Viking Dining Taskforce, Hunger and Food Insecure Coalition, Strategic Planning Committee and the Curriculum Committee for Politics, Policy and International Relations.

Cherie Butts, chair of the Board of Trustees, said the student trustee serves an important role on the board.

"Mr. Walsh's experiences as a student and record of significant engagement on campus will allow him to bring valuable perspectives to guide our important priorities in the academic year ahead. I look forward to working with him," Butts said.

On the board, Walsh will serve on the Finance and Facilities Committee and the Academic Affairs and Student Success Committee.