“Jordan has long maintained its central role in Middle East geopolitics, and regional conflicts have significantly impacted its social demographics ever since the Gulf War. There is political and economic stress, and increasing levels of domestic violence, which are reflected in the inhabitants’ mental health...Most collectivist countries like Jordan that emphasize the group’s necessities and goals versus individual needs and desires tend to stigmatize mental health disorders as taboo. My investigation determined that although the internalized public and personal mental health shame is fading, it needs increased attention.” - Faith Drescher ’25, who received the Omar A. Aggad Travel and Research Fellowship to pursue her research | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/AggadFellowships

"Turning pro is cool at a young age, but nothing is guaranteed. I want to play until I'm 40, but who knows what's going to happen? To me, having some sort of stability in a profession that is not that stable allows me to go with the flow, roll with the punches. I enjoy every day at the rink more knowing that when my career is over I can pull out my degree and do something good with it.” - Spencer Knight, who plays for the Florida Panthers and is currently enrolled at the Boston College - Woods College of Advancing Studies | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/GoalOriented Photo: JC Ruiz

“We work with freshmen a little more intensely, which just lays the foundation, I think, for their time here. I do weekly meetings with all freshmen on my teams. Some might only be 15 minutes a week, but they always have that time to ask me questions and they know if they need tutoring or something's going wrong, I will help them in any way I can. My favorite part of my job is the relationships I’ve built with players. Seeing their academic progress over four years, or however long they’re here, and watching them graduate is so rewarding.” - Patrice Bouzan ’91, a Learning Specialist and Academic Counselor who helps Boston College Athletics student-athletes reach their academic goals | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/GoalOriented

As I have been working at Boston College for 36 years, it has become my second home, and my colleagues and friends are an extension of my family. I work in one of the largest and most diverse departments of the University. I consider the BC Dining Services employees unsung heroes. Their hard work and dedication provides the best nourishment, which plays an important role in the development of our students. My job is challenging yet very rewarding. Each workday can be different: one moment I may be answering questions and helping employees and the next, dealing with a complaint. My goal is to promote a positive work environment and that our employees feel valued and respected." - Marcela Norton '04, '16, Employee Relations Officer | READ MORE about BC's "Hidden Heroes" on campus: https://on.bc.edu/HiddenHeroes

"As a member of Boston College Arts Council, I felt a holiday craft fair would be a great way to highlight the artists and makers on campus. From creating and hanging flyers, to sending out emails, to churning out my own crafts, the event kept me busy and wrapped in anticipation throughout the semester. I was so happy to have the opportunity to sell my creations in the holiday, gift-giving season, and I found that other crafters were equally as enthusiastic and pleased with the event. It is wonderful to meet other students who share a passion for creating, and the Boston College community really came out to support and appreciate the hard work and talent of their peers. In a busy finals season, the Holiday Craft Fair provided a cheerful study break and a festive close to the semester." - Margaret Ryan '25, organizer of the Holiday Craft Fair

“I had promised a lot of people, including my parents and Jerry York, that I would finish my degree at some point. I don't know if we thought it was going to take this long, but it always felt like I had that hanging over my head. Getting my diploma was awesome—different than any athletic achievement I’ve ever had. Ten years ago, before I had kids, I probably would have just had them send it to me, but I actually had a lot of fun at the commencement ceremony, and having my girls there to see it was important to me.” - Brooks Orpik ’22, who graduated from the Boston College - Woods College of Advancing Studies three years after announcing his retirement from the NHL | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/GoalOriented Photo: Alastair Ingram, Boston College Athletics

"What I’m doing is responding to people’s questions about this country. And I think the magic of it is not me. It’s that I’m a teacher, and a translator for people asking questions. And a lot of what I do is simply say, 'Okay, here’s what the Department of Justice is, and here’s what a congressional committee is, and here’s the difference. And here are the powers that they have. And here’s what they’re trying to do.' All those things that many people pretend they know and they don’t actually know. And that’s always been the key to my professional career, saying, 'Wait, I don’t understand that. What are you talking about? Let’s figure out what exactly you mean.'" - Heather Cox Richardson, History Professor and author of the "Letters from an American" newsletter | READ MORE in Boston College Magazine: https://on.bc.edu/HistorysFirstDraft

“At the end of the day, we don’t do what we do for recognition. We are here to honor Kevin [Eidt]’s legacy, not our own. We love the work and feel as though it is work worth doing. When I look back on my four years here, my time will undoubtedly be defined by running this service. I am grateful for this organization, the people in it, and the job we get to do together.” - Brian Coyne ’23, Boston College EMS President | READ MORE about BC EMS's 25th anniversary: https://on.bc.edu/BCEMS25

"I definitely think I'm a poster child for unusual, unexpected, serendipitous outcomes. I assumed I knew I was on my right path, but it diverged and went to a completely different destination. I look back at what happened to me and feel such a connection with many students who are in college today who think they know what they want to do, but ultimately discover they are meant to do the opposite. For me, I thought I wanted to go to law school. I thought I was meant to get Truman and Fulbright Scholarships. Teach For America made sense. But then I brought back my dad's small digital video camera, learned how to edit on iMovie, and my life was changed with a single video screening in Fulton 511 during a show for my comedy group, Asinine." - Joe Sabia '06, online video producer and creator of Vogue's “73 Questions” | Read More in Boston College Magazine: https://on.bc.edu/JoeSabia_BCM

"I think one of the hardest things about discussing mental health is speaking up about it for the first time. After that, it always gets easier. That's why I really loved To Write Love On Her Arms., because it was a designated space for those mental health conversations. We'd start every meeting by discussing our highs and lows of the week, causing everyone to be a little bit vulnerable and talk about themselves. That can be really hard to do, especially when you're not quite sure if your relationship with someone is going to reach that deeper level. I think that, for the most part, people are very willing to have deep conversations but they're waiting for somebody else to start them. So, if you're the type of person who can build up the nerve to start that deep conversation, I would always say go for it, because chances are someone will reciprocate it." - Julianna Markus '23, member of the TWLOHA-BC e-board Photo by Yating Wang '24

“I cannot say that I have a favorite style of music. Musical theater, pop, classical—I think they’re all equally great. I’ve also always had a fascination with STEM. It started with dinosaurs and from there I fell in love with trying to figure out why things are the way they are, how to make things more efficient, and just understanding how the world works. At Boston College, I get to explore both avenues. The professors here just really want to help you succeed—whether it’s in science or music or whatever you want to do, they’re trying to help you be the best version of yourself.” - Maxwell Korman ’23, this year’s Pops on the Heights student soloist | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/DualPerformer

"When girls put those sneakers on their feet and say they fit like no other basketball sneaker. Moolah Kicks is the only for-profit business in women’s basketball. Everything else is a charity, a nonprofit, or women’s basketball is secondary to what they do in men’s basketball. Every dollar we earn goes into either more products for women’s basketball players, or more marketing dollars, which in turn raises the profile of the game and creates more financial opportunity for women’s basketball players." - Natalie White ’20, founder of Moolah Kicks | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/BreakingtheMold