President Niemi
“To ‘Live to the Truth’ is our shared promise. It reflects our belief that education is a singular tool for advancing social justice. It must always serve the public good by ensuring that every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and lead with integrity. In a world that urgently needs truth-seekers and change-makers, we empower our students, through all of their learning, to think critically, act with compassion, and use their voices to advance equity and justice in their communities and beyond.”
Nancy S. Niemi, PhD
President
Where Truth and Justice Come Together
Social justice isn’t a talking point at Framingham State, it’s rooted in who we are. Our commitment to social justice is about ensuring that every member of our community has the support and opportunity to thrive.
Across campus, truth and justice come together in work that includes:
- Equity-centered teaching and learning, rooted in critical thinking, inclusion, and respect for diverse perspectives.
- The Center for Inclusive Excellence, which provides space, community, and programming that celebrates multicultural life and fosters belonging.
- Civic engagement and service learning, where students apply what they’ve learned to real needs in Framingham and beyond.
- Research and scholarship that investigate inequality, public health, immigration, environmental justice, education access, and more.
- Leadership programs that prepare students to organize, advocate, and make ethical decisions in challenging contexts.
Every effort reflects the belief that truth has a moral dimension: it asks us to acknowledge injustice, understand its roots, and act with integrity to change it.
Truth in the Classroom
Learning to Ask Better Questions
At Framingham State, education is about more than collecting facts. It’s about developing the ability to interpret, analyze, challenge, and create.
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Examine ideas from multiple perspectives
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Engage in meaningful dialogue
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Conduct ethical research
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Think critically and independently
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Build the confidence to shape your own truth
César's Experience
César’s experience at Framingham State is a perfect example of how the university lives to the truth, creating a more engaging and inclusive community for everyone.
Dr. Satish Penmatsa — Chair, Computer Science
As Chair of the Computer Science Department, Dr. Satish Penmatsa helps students navigate one of the fastest-moving fields in the world. For him, truth in computer science isn’t about memorizing the latest tools, it’s about mastering the core principles that help students adapt, innovate, and make ethical decisions in a rapidly evolving landscape. Whether teaching artificial intelligence, data science, or systems design, Dr. Penmatsa challenges students to look beneath the surface, ask why things work, and think like true computer scientists. In his classroom, living to the truth means embracing critical thinking, valuing foundational knowledge, and preparing to build technology that serves the public good.
“My goal is to help students think like computer scientists because when you understand how things work under the hood, you can keep up with anything.”
Truth in Action
Meet Students Who Are Living to the Truth at FSU
Alix
As a Psychology major and Education minor, Alix works as a Flight Director at the Christa McAuliffe Center for Integrated Science Learning, where she helps younger students explore science, space, and real-world learning with excitement and wonder. For her, truth isn’t just about facts: it’s about helping others discover their own potential, and inspiring them to ask questions, learn boldly, and stay true to their dreams. Living to the truth means lighting the way for others.
“I try to be as involved as possible on campus. I am the events coordinator for Student Government, which is a wonderful way to take charge of what I really want to see on this campus.”
Wenchell
Wenchell found his path at Framingham State through honesty, discipline, and a refusal to settle for easy answers. As an English major in the Honors Program with concentrations in Professional Writing and Journalism he’s wrestling with big questions about representation and voice. His Honors thesis examines the novel Erasure by Percival Everett, which challenges how the publishing industry often rewards stories that reinforce racial stereotypes. A skilled photographer and aspiring entrepreneur, he’s building a versatile set of skills so he can stay open to many paths. For Wenchell, living to the truth means not just studying, but using his voice, his lens, and his ambition to challenge assumptions and keep his options wide open.
“Career readiness has always been an important factor for me. I don’t want to close the doors on any opportunities that may be out there.”
Marlin
As a first-generation college student and the child of immigrants from El Salvador, Marlin channels her identity, experience, and hope into her writing. Her poem, “An Immigrant’s Fire,” voiced at a university rally for higher education, stands as both art and activism. It’s a bold statement about what truth and belonging really mean. At FSU, she’s not just studying English: she’s using it to uplift voices, share stories, and insist that every person’s truth deserves respect.
“I just want to show solidarity with my community. I’m very passionate about it.”
Living to the Truth: Alumni in Action
Framingham State alumni carry the University’s motto with them long after graduation. By staying true to themselves and their values, they are leading with integrity, serving their communities, and turning education into meaningful impact.
Tayna Tovar ’18
For Tayna Tovar ’18, living to the truth meant embracing her identity and leading with her values. The daughter of Guatemalan immigrants, she grew up feeling caught between cultures. At Framingham State, she found the support and space to claim her full identity as a strength. Through leadership roles, research, and mentorship, she gained confidence and discovered her voice. Today, as a Regional Coordinator at Positive Behavior Supports Corp., Tovar leads teams across Eastern Massachusetts and serves families in both English and Spanish. “Living to the truth means living to your values,” she says - a lesson shaped by her time at FSU.
Royce Veal ’11
Royce Veal ’11 lives to the truth by giving back to the community that shaped him. After transferring to Framingham State to play basketball, he found a home on campus and earned his degree in Merchandising and Buying Operations. Inspired by his father’s example, Veal turned his passion for basketball into a platform for impact. Today, he serves as executive director of the Chills Diamond Ring Education Foundation, which provides youth and adults across Greater Boston with entrepreneurship, career readiness, and leadership programming. Veal recently returned to FSU to pursue a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership, continuing his commitment to growth and service.
Deron Hines ’18
For Deron Hines ’18, living to the truth means meeting people where they are and serving with purpose. A Sociology major and former student-athlete, Hines found belonging and leadership opportunities at Framingham State, including serving as president of Brother2Brother. After graduation, he continued his work supporting youth and families through nonprofit and higher education roles. Today, Hines serves as a Chelsea City Councilor while pursuing a Master of Social Work degree. Grounded in the values shaped at FSU, his work reflects a deep commitment to equity, access, and community empowerment.
The History Behind our Motto
Framingham State’s motto dates back to the University’s opening in 1839 as the first public teacher’s college in the United States. President Cyrus Peirce closed each class with the call for students to "Live to the Truth." The phrase ties into our founding mission of expanding public access to high-quality education and preparing graduates to lead with integrity. Nearly two centuries later, that mission endures and the call to live to the truth is more urgent than ever.