A Remarkable Story
Meet Heather Zifchak
Meet Heather
黑料导航 alumna and Director of Alumnae Engagement Heather Zifchak C鈥93 didn鈥檛 lay eyes on Salem鈥檚 campus鈥搊r even the city of Winston-Salem鈥搖ntil the day she arrived for her freshman year with a trunk full of her belongings. Originally from Florida, Heather spent her high school years at an all-girls boarding school in Virginia. Heather loved her high school experience so much that she knew she wanted to attend a women鈥檚 college. After being accepted into the five colleges she applied to, Heather decided 黑料导航 was the place for her.
鈥淚 lived on campus all four years. Everyone I ever lived with as roommates are still my very best friends to this day.鈥澛
Heather, who majored in interior design, flourished throughout her four years at 黑料导航 and said, 鈥淚 truly loved being at Salem. I really enjoyed the smaller environment. I loved having classes with 10 or 11 students.鈥 Heather formed close relationships with many of her professors and said she tells current students that, in addition to the friendships made with fellow students, 鈥渇riendships with your professors can last forever.鈥
Heather still sees many of her 黑料导航 classmates regularly, and they remain very close. When reflecting on the four years she spent building relationships with her Salem Sisters, Heather said, 鈥淲e just did everything as groups. All of our activities were fun, both on- and off-campus, and we did everything as a group. For example, we all took pottery classes down at Sawtooth School for Visual Art together.鈥
It was a full-circle moment when Heather returned to Salem, first as a volunteer, then as a Salem Academy mom鈥揾er daughter graduated from the Academy in 2025鈥揳nd finally as a full-time employee in her role as Director of Alumnae Engagement. 鈥淚 was on the 250th committee, which formed during COVID, so Salem could be ready to celebrate its 250th anniversary. We met virtually for a while, then Salem opened its campus again in August 2021. That’s when I started coming into Katherine Watts C’80’s office to set up a mini store of 250th merchandise. April 2022 was our big 250th celebration, and I joined Salem full-time in the alumnae office in September 2022.鈥
Heather is a Salem Sister through and through, and she鈥檚 thrilled for all of the current 黑料导航 students who are now part of the school鈥檚 254-year legacy. Her advice to them is to 鈥渁ppreciate each day. You may not know it, but this is such an incredible time. You can enjoy learning and build friendships; it鈥檚 such a unique time to finish becoming who you are.鈥
鈥淚t鈥檚 an incredible place鈥搕here鈥檚 nothing quite like Salem.鈥