I think (Bridgewater State) was the perfect school for me. It definitely taught me how to make friends, how to prioritize and get the work done. It set you up for success.
As a first-year student living in Shea Hall, Mary-Jane Strom, ’96, often kept her residence hall room door open to foster connections with her peers. Three decades later, the practice still works for the Girl Scout CEO.
“Leaving my (office) door open is something I do today,” said Strom, who earned a degree in fine arts and now leads the Girl Scouts of Northern California. “I talk to everyone. Bridgewater taught me how to create a supportive community.”
For Strom, Bridgewater State stood out for its academics and athletics. She competed on the swim team and club rugby and water polo squads. She lived on campus throughout college, forming close friendships with her roommates that persist to this day. She also worked at the circulation desk at Maxwell Library.
“I think it was the perfect school for me,” Strom said. “It definitely taught me how to make friends, how to prioritize and get the work done. It set you up for success.”
Strom initially planned to major in education but switched to art after taking a few classes in that department. She particularly enjoyed the faculty and strong sense of camaraderie among students working on projects in the Art Center.
“Art is very meditative and helps me in my everyday life,” Strom said. “I still do a lot of drawing on weekends and after work.”
Art also led Strom to a post-graduation job as an art teacher and outdoor educator at a Nature’s Classroom camp in Rhode Island. She went on to serve Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts as a program specialist and director of camps. Since 2017, she has worked for the Girl Scouts of Northern California in roles such as chief mission delivery officer, chief program officer, and now CEO.
Strom grew up as a Girl Scout and earned the Gold Award, which is the organization’s highest level of recognition. She found her passion creating the same positive experiences for others that she enjoyed as a child.
Today, she manages the fifth largest council in the country, with approximately 50,000 members stretching from the San Francisco area to the Oregon border. Northern California boasts extensive outdoor resources, and Strom enjoys helping girls connect with nature and grow their leadership skills.
She sees her job as building community, just as she did at Bridgewater State.
“Like Bridgewater, the Girl Scouts is a sisterhood where you can find your friends and people who will support you in your life and career,” she said.
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