“Volunteering was always part of the fabric of who I am, and that really was solidified as a student at Boston College. There was a community there for me that allowed me to really participate. It stayed with me into my career, first as an English teacher and then in nonprofits, where I’ve been for almost 20 years. This position and the opportunity to do this as a career is the culmination of everything that I've ever done. It feels really good to have the skills, and now the resources to be able to help others.” - Barbara Cotton ’92, an American Red Cross executive director currently assisting with Hurricane Ida relief efforts

"Being a transfer student is a big part of my identity. Ever since I stepped foot on Boston College's campus, I have used my passion to help prospective transfer students learn more about our vibrant community through Boston College Admission's Student Admissions Program. This year, I am excited to be taking that passion a step further by advocating for transfer students and their needs as the Undergraduate Government of Boston College (UGBC) Transfer Student Assembly Representative. I want current and incoming transfer students to have as engaging of a college experience as mine has been so far." - Naziha Bugazia '22

“You can't please everyone with writing, so the advice I give people is to write something you can live with because it's going to be out there forever and you're going to get criticized no matter what you do. One of the criticisms I got was people saying, ‘It’s too dramatic. It's a soap opera.’ And that’s fine; they're entitled to their opinion, but I'll also point out that when men write things that are dramatic they're usually called tragedies, and when women write things that are tragic, they're usually called soap operas. Just an observation.” - Asha Lemmie ’15, author of the New York Times bestseller "Fifty Words for Rain" | Read More: http://on.bc.edu/RightasRain

"Maya Angelou said, 'I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.' I believe that the BC Dining Services staff lives this out in the most beautiful ways. It has been a gift to learn from their example in my past two years at Boston College. Individuals who work at BC Dining live out the call to be 'humans with others.' Not only do they work tirelessly to make sure that all of our needs are met, but they truly encounter each of us every day. I was actually joking with a friend about how the BC Dining staff cover all of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, from giving us nourishment for our physiological needs to empowering us to be our best selves for our self-actualization. They strive to help us all feel welcomed and know that somebody is looking out for us at BC. These staff members were particularly important for me as a first-year student because they always made me feel like I was 'a somebody.' The people in BC Dining embody what it means to share big love in the small moments: the way they meet us where we are, intentionally ask about our days, learn our names, and put big smiles on our faces. I am forever grateful to be friends with them!" - Mary Clare Scalise '23

"The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified these health care inequities and the social, cultural, and economic factors that contribute to them. Statistics show that minority populations, specifically Blacks and Latinos, have been disproportionally affected by the pandemic and are at increased risk for COVID-related deaths and other resulting illnesses. Perhaps one positive thing to come out of the pandemic is that it has raised awareness of the inequities in our health care system—and served as a catalyst for addressing them. My research project is important and timely, and I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to contribute in some small way." - Julia Spiegel '22, a neuroscience major & Hispanic Studies minor who is a research assistant at Brigham and Women's Hospital, where she analyzes data related to Hispanic cancer patients | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/JuliaSpiegel

"I had a fairly typical childhood growing up in the greater Boston area spending far too much of my time at Fenway Park, the Boston Garden, and Alumni Stadium. Until I began losing my vision at the age of eight, I wanted to be a professional athlete. I was involved in Undergraduate Government of Boston College (UGBC), but the service trip I took to rural Virginia with Boston College Campus Ministry's Appalachia Volunteer Program was probably the biggest turning point in my life in terms of recognizing the needs that our society has and starting to think about how to address those needs in a legislative way. It was that trip that motivated me to apply for an internship at the State House, and then continue to work in public service. What I’ve learned is that so many people just want someone to listen, and to be treated with dignity and respect. Everyone has the potential to contribute." - Alex Gray ’06, one of four Eagles running for At-Large City Council in Boston | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/AlexGray

"A lot of my Boston College experience was being involved in extracurricular activities like intramural sports and the The University Chorale of Boston College, where I was exposed to a lot of people from different backgrounds and encouraged to develop connections with all of them. I think that's something that BC does well, that encouragement to get to know other people and be able to work with them in any type of situation. Extracurriculars also gave me an opportunity to lead and manage projects, skills I was able to offer up in job interviews.” - Madeleine McCullough ’20, program associate at Partnership for Public Service | Read more: https://on.bc.edu/2020Grads

"My favorite music memory at Boston College has to be the first weekend of December each year. On Friday evening, Saturday evening, and Sunday afternoon, The University Chorale of Boston College and orchestra put on the annual 'Christmas On The Heights' concerts. Being part of both groups, those concerts are really special to me, and I always enjoy seeing all the alumni come back to support the community. The weekend concludes with the campus-wide Advent Mass on Sunday evening, which has always been my favorite mass to perform at because it really brings the campus together. To me, that's what music is all about." - Nova Wang '21, 2021 Arts Award winner | Read More: http://on.bc.edu/NovaWang

“I loved being a neuroscience major. I loved learning about the brain and how it works and how it impacts everything that we do. That experience combined with the advocacy work I did through the FACES Council and working at the Boston Living Center really shaped the qualities I was looking for in a job. I knew that I wasn't going to be a doctor, but I wanted to explore all the different opportunities that I had to make a difference in the healthcare space without having to go to med school.” - Avni Amin ’20, a program and community coordinator at Stupid Cancer | Read more: https://on.bc.edu/2020Grads

"My favorite memory in film has to be my journey to New Zealand through the Boston College Salmanowitz film grant. I journeyed with another student, Luke Layden '19, to create a short documentary about Douglas Al Bazi, an Iraqi refugee who survived the captivity of ISIS. His story was breathtaking, offering a narrative of incredible resilience. One of the great joys of filmmaking, even as a student, is the privilege to listen and share incredible stories. I was so honored and humbled to help bring his story to screen." - John Mohler '21, 2021 Arts Award winner | Read more: http://on.bc.edu/JohnMohler

“I've always felt two ways about being bicultural. In one sense, I was raised to take pride in who I am—as an individual, as an American, and as a Zimbabwean— so I've never been skeptical about my identity. But as I've grown older, I've realized the parts that aren't so great, like having to go on YouTube to figure out the Common App because my parents didn’t grow up here. Nevertheless, I think because I'm first-generation, I have that eagerness to pursue an opportunity when I hear about it. I might not have known about it, but now that I do? I'm going for it.” - Kudzai Kapurura ’23 | Read More: http://on.bc.edu/KudzaiKapurura

"I am extremely thankful for the opportunities, relationships, and memories made during my four years at Boston College. One of my greatest memories was serving as President of the Undergraduate Government of Boston College (UGBC) this past year, which only opened my eyes even more to what a special place BC is. We saw our community come together and look out for one another amidst COVID-19, which was incredible to witness. I will miss BC greatly. Go Eagles!" - Christian Guma '21