Recognition for the new Coordinator of Student Activities, Anissa Nieves.

Westfield – Groups of students, staff, and alumni enjoy the jam-packed events of
Welcome Week, from August 31st to September 6th, unaware that among them is 4’10” Anissa
Nieves. Her height helps her blend easily into the crowd, even though she is the one who planned
the event they’re all attending.
“Welcome Week had an amazing turnout and engagement. I saw such a sense of
community in that one week alone. I couldn’t be prouder of not only myself, but my team and
students who were right there on the ground with me doing the work throughout the entire
week,” said Nieves, the new Coordinator of Student Activities in the Department of Student
Activities, Involvement, and Leadership (SAIL).
Nieves, who is usually seen wearing a pair of red, rounded glasses, began her position
with SAIL in March of 2025, with responsibilities including overseeing the Campus Activity
Board (CAB) and Social Squad, the student groups that lead campus-wide event planning, and
managing the department’s social media marketing. As well, Nieves is a New Student Orientation
Coordinator. Known for her blunt bangs, bright personality, and consistent use of the catchphrase
‘I’m just a girl,’ Nieves may not be recognized in all of these roles, but her work reaches every
member of the campus community.
The students and staff who work alongside her agree that in the short time she has been
working here, she has made a remarkable impact on the campus community.
“One of the strengths that she brings to her role is her new perspective on programs and
how students interact with them. She brings out-of-the-box thinking to event planning and has
unique ideas about encouraging the student body,” said Fabian Morales, a third-year student and
a second-year member of CAB’s executive board and Summer orientation leader.
Those around her have noted that Nieves’s presence has been a pivotal change in the
programs she leads. In the short time she has been in the role, her peers and students across
campus have observed changes in programming, events, and leadership, all of whom note her
presence in this role as a strength for the university.
Nieves is originally from Massachusetts, and is the mom of a three-year-old son, and says
she is surrounded by love from her family. Her downtime is spent with her family, reading,
writing, doing puzzles, and playing video games. When not on campus, Nieves runs her business,
Nissa’s Naturals, selling homemade scrubs and soaps.
Nieves has an extensive background in program and event planning. Before beginning at
Westfield State, she had worked in after-school programming for elementary school students
since she was about 17. While doing this, she was in charge of program planning, partner
communications, and national curriculum adaptation. Even though her audience has changed
drastically since she left her position working with elementary school programs, she feels that
much of what she learned and was prepared for in that role can translate to her current work in
higher education, where she still finds herself learning and growing with the students around her.
“They taught me A LOT about patience, how to admit I am wrong and take
accountability, how to think outside the box, how to have fun even when I really don’t want to,
how to care about others deeply, how to show empathy, and so much more. My college students
do the exact same thing. They just have different challenges that hit them,” Nieves said.
These skills haven’t gone unnoticed, as those around her describe her empathy, passion,
and ideas as among the most vital things she brings to her job, changing the environment around
her.
“Anissa came in to SAIL last year during a window of time where there was a lot of work
and pressure put on the few staff that we had, and her addition to the team, as well as the rest of
the new staff, has completely turned the atmosphere and sense of direction 180 degrees, and I am
extremely grateful for her leadership and support,” Morales said.
Her self-proclaimed ‘work bestie’, Connor Burt, the SAIL department’s graduate
assistant, explains that Nieves’ place in the department is beyond just her job title; her care and
enthusiasm, showcased in her role, extend beyond her work, as she fosters a community for all
around her.
“I considered myself a helper, maybe an ‘assistant advisor’ of CAB. But one day she
acknowledged me as her co-advisor in front of students, which was very heart-warming to hear,”
Burt said.
“Another strength she brings is her character and personality within SAIL. Her
personable and positive attitude is a strong compliment to the staff, students, and department
during busy days, downtime, and everyday conversations,” Morales said.
Nieves’ empathy is also consistently described by those around her, with students and
peers sharing personal moments they have had with her, which helps contextualize the role she
plays in others’ lives.
“She’s always checking in, even when you don’t want her to; she will always remember,
and she is very thoughtful,” said Angelina Cassella, a second-year student and member of CAB.
Even those who aren’t fully aware of Nieves or her role on campus, many feel that events
and activities are an irreplaceable part of the Westfield State experience. Many students cite them
as the beginning of lasting friendships and connections, and they have also noticed a dramatic
improvement in these events.
“In my first year, CAB played a very pivotal role in my involvement on campus and
provided me with most of my current friends. Now I typically attend an event about once a
month, but I’d love to go to more,” said Julia Hickey, a third-year student studying Education and
Theater.
“Nissa definitely works hard, and she makes everything look so effortless and easy. I am
not aware of the full extent of the work she does, but from what I know, she has a lot of
responsibility and handles it flawlessly and with poise,” Hickey continued.
“I feel like campus events have always been good, but there have been improvements in
them since the beginning of this year. I try to attend as many as I can,” said Jake Kirker, a
third-year student studying math and computer science.
Her impact on the campus community has not gone unnoticed, but she is not done with
the work to make student activities and programming the best they can be. At the beginning of
her time here, a goal she was striving towards was interdepartmental collaboration, which she
feels has made progress with the monthly SAIL newsletter; she finds that more departments are
willing and excited about collaboration.
An upcoming goal Nieves has is to focus more broadly on the student body’s outcomes
from every event they attend, so people can make the most of each program and get to know each
other in new ways.
“I want to keep bringing new experiences, activities, cultures, and teachings to our
campus,” Nieves said. “I genuinely want individuals to walk away from Westfield State feeling
like they gained something from these events, either physically, mentally, or emotionally.”