Where will St. Mike’s 2026 seniors go next? Spotlight on Ashley Silveira ’26

Ashley Silveira ’26 poses with a certificate she received following her April 2026 induction into Delta Epsilon Sigma, the national honor society for Catholic higher education. (Photo courtesy of Ashley Silveira)

Seekonk, Massachusetts, native Ashley Silveira ’26 will graduate from Saint Michael’s College this May and continue on the path she has laid for herself during the last four years. 

She has combined academics – with a major in Anthropology and Sociology and a minor in International Relations – with internships, leadership positions, and study-abroad experiences to set herself up for a successful future. 

Silveira’s time at Saint Michael’s has led her to an exciting next step – working as a Staff Assistant in U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders’ Burlington office. 

Silveira was recently asked to reflect on her experiences at Saint Michael’s and how they have helped set her up for her next steps after Commencement.

The following Q&A interview has been lightly edited for style and clarity. 

Saint Michael’s College: What are your career/education plans after graduating from Saint Michael’s College? 

Ashley Silveira: After graduating from St. Mike’s, I will be starting a full-time position as a Staff Assistant for U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders in his Burlington office.

SMC: How did Saint Michael’s College support you to get to this point?

AS: Saint Michael’s supported me by giving me a community that constantly encouraged me to do well for myself while also doing good for others. That balance has shaped so much of my experience. Service is such a big part of the mission here at SMC, and being in that environment pushed me to think seriously about how I wanted to use my education and experiences to help people.  

During my time here, I was able to challenge myself in so many different ways. I interned in Sen. Sander’s office while taking a full class load, competed as a student-athlete, served as my class president in SGA (the Student Government Association), and was involved in multiple clubs. The opportunity to go abroad multiple times helped broaden my perspective and grow into a more independent and adaptable person. What stands out to me most is that Saint Michael’s gave me the support to pursue all of those things at once. It is a place with a strong sense of community, where people want you to succeed, but they also want you to use that success in meaningful ways. That mindset helped me prepare for this next step, working for Sen. Sanders.

SMC: What will you take with you into post-grad life from your education at Saint Michael’s? 

AS: I will take with me a strong sense of purpose, excitement, and responsibility. St. Mike’s taught me that success is not just about what you accomplish for yourself, but also how you use your own experiences, education, and opportunities to serve others. That idea was present in so much of my time here, and it is something I know I will carry with me into post-grad life.

SMC: What are you most looking forward to after graduation?  

AS: What I am most looking forward to after graduation is stepping into work that feels meaningful and purposeful to me. I am excited to begin working with Sen. Sanders’ office because it gives me the opportunity to continue a path in public service that I already know I care deeply about. It feels rewarding to move from being a student and intern into a full-time role where I can take on more responsibility and make a real contribution. I am also looking forward to this next chapter because it feels like a natural extension of everything Saint Michael’s has encouraged in me: working hard, serving others, and being part of a strong community. After spending my college years balancing academics, athletics, leadership, service, and experiences abroad, I am excited to bring all of that into post-grad life and keep growing through work that directly helps people.

SMC: Do you have a career/education goal for the next five years?

AS: In the next five years, I hope to keep building a strong foundation in public service and grow through work that allows me to serve others in a direct, meaningful way.  Starting in Sen. Sanders’s office is an exciting first step, and I want to use that experience to keep learning more about government, policy, and how to best support communities.  More than anything, I hope to keep building a path that is both meaningful to me and useful to others.