51成人动漫

Lisa Brathwaite, Assistant Dean, Law School

Where did you grow up? Why aren鈥檛 you there now?

IBarbados. My parents wanted me to have access to more opportunities that were available on the island, also my extended family lived in Boston so they wanted me to live here with them.

What path brought you to 51成人动漫?

I started working in the private sector (large law firms) doing recruiting to
test the legal profession. I realized there was so many things students did not know as they navigated that interview and job search process and I wanted to be able to support them on that journey. I decided to come to the law school setting to help prepare students to take advantage of the jobs they were seeking.

What are you most passionate about professionally?

Supporting students as they work towards their goals and making sure they can thrive in institutions of higher education.

Where can we find you when you鈥檙e not working? What鈥檚 your favorite way to spend a weekend or Sunday afternoon?

I am usually at home or spending time with my family and friends. I enjoy being near the water, so I take any chance I get to walk by the water or just go to it and relax.

Any volunteer activities you鈥檙e crazy about?

I appreciate the opportunity to prepare meals for the unhoused population through my church. (I can鈥檛 wait until we get back to it, now the kitchen has been renovated)

Who is your hero? Why?

My grandmother was one of my heroes. I am consistently floored by the way in which she navigated life with few resources, but built a lasting legacy, touching lives beyond her family.

Who is your mentor? How did you connect with them?

One of my mentors is one of my former managers. She was a selfless leader who encourages and challenges to continue to soar.

What鈥檚 the most interesting place you鈥檝e visited?

Ghana- the people are incredible, the food, culture and history, though difficult in many ways, is the tangible evidence of what I learned as a child.

What would be impossible for you to give up?

Chai 鈥揑 love a good cup of hot chai!

What鈥檚 one thing you want to accomplish before you die?

I want to have a family and I think I want to further my education.

Phionna Cayola Claude, Assistant Director, Student Life, Messina College

Where did you grow up? Why aren鈥檛 you there now?

I grew up in West Roxbury, MA until second grade, when my family moved into our first family home in Dedham, MA. My family has been there ever since, and that is where I consider 芦聽home sweet home聽禄. Ironically, my role at Messina is a live-on position, so I live here at 51成人动漫, but I frequent home, especially every Sunday for Mama Claude鈥檚 home-cooked Haitian meals.

What path brought you to 51成人动漫?

When I applied to 51成人动漫 as Resident Director during my last year in grad school, I actually didn鈥檛 hear back from them until 3 months later, and after I declined a job offer at another Jesuit institution. As I went through 51成人动漫鈥檚 interview process, it was the most exciting and inspiring conversation I had throughout my job search. It was also a full-circle moment when I received the job offer after being waitlisted during my college application process. It was also special because I got assigned to the same residential community my brother lived in during his first year at 51成人动漫.聽

What are you most passionate about professionally?

I am most passionate about doing God鈥檚 work while in a professional role. I deeply believe every encounter and opportunity that I get to spend one-on-one with a student or colleague is a divine appointment with the Lord, and my role is to be humble enough to minister to them or receive their outpouring of care, love, or wisdom. It鈥檚 been a beautiful two-way street of laughter, servitude, reflection, and ultimately growth.聽

Where can we find you when you鈥檙e not working? What鈥檚 your favorite way to spend a weekend or Sunday afternoon?

When I鈥檓 not working, catch me in my apartment on my couch, scrolling for a comfort rom-com or action-packed movie. I am a homebody, unless I have very specific fun plans with my girlfriends, family, or new acquaintances. My favorite way to spend a weekend is on Saturdays at 11 AM on Zoom with the young ladies from my Bible study group, Women of Her Word, and then on Sundays leading praise & worship at my church, Avenue, in Needham, MA.

Any volunteer activities you鈥檙e crazy about?

I love volunteering for retreats or mentorship experiences. I especially love it when my passion for travel collides with my appreciation for retreats.

Who is your hero? Why?

I unapologetically must save Jesus Christ. He literally died for me and has the most epic comeback with His resurrection. His presence is supernatural, and I admire how intelligent, loving, clever, and patient He is with me and towards everyone else.

Who is your mentor? How did you connect with them?

Dr. Quincy Bevely was my first mentor ever. I met him at my alma mater, Providence College, as a student leader. Recently, I鈥檝e connected with a new mentor, Dr. Erin Wilson, through a professional development strengths assessment here at Boston College.

What鈥檚 the most interesting place you鈥檝e visited?

El Salvador has been the most interesting place. It was a transformative experience, leading an all-girl group of college students on an immersion service trip, while also having a personal encounter with the Lord. I reflect on the boldness I stepped into to trust the Holy Spirit and His guidance on when to lead prayer and when to take a step back. I also vividly remember the spiritual and physical strength it took to climb a mountain at 5 am, and along the way I received revelation and affirmation that my dreams and purpose in life may be difficult and a big calling, but it is certainly possible with slow, steady, and consistent baby steps.

What would be impossible for you to give up?

Ugh, I would hate to say goodbye to my morning coffee. I love an extra-ice, perfectly dark roast smooth coffee experience with a unique flavor combo. I truly look forward to my first morning sip every day; it鈥檚 the most satisfying, indulgent experience I cling to!

What鈥檚 one thing you want to accomplish before you die?

I hope I get to travel to multiple continents, to places I never would have imagined visiting, to obviously explore, enjoy, and admire, but also to preach and share the Gospel, the good news and testimony of how my relationship with Jesus Christ changed my life for the better.

Caitlin Cunningham, Director of Photography, University Communications

Where did you grow up? Why aren鈥檛 you there now?

I was raised close by in Wellesley, went to Hamilton College in upstate New York, and then moved overseas for a few years to live in New Zealand and then Australia. Once I returned, my parents retired and sold my childhood home. A move to Boston made the most sense for me professionally and personally. Within a year of moving to Allston, I started working at 51成人动漫 as a contractor, and built my last 16 years around photography, with a lot of that time based at 51成人动漫.

What path brought you to 51成人动漫?

I met a freelance photographer in 2010 who worked with my current department, the Office of Photography within University Communications. She was moving away and gave my name to 51成人动漫 since the office was in need of help. I was a contractor for four years, left to pursue freelance full-time 2015-2021, and returned as salaried staff in October 2021. I鈥檝e now been a contractor, staff member, and graduate student here.聽

What are you most passionate about professionally?

I always try my best to honor the personality of an event or subject and to capture emotion. As an introvert, photography allows me to be part of something while often observing it from a distance. I love the editing and curating process, and am obsessive about communication, efficiency, and organization.聽

Where can we find you when you鈥檙e not working? What鈥檚 your favorite way to spend a weekend or Sunday afternoon?

Admittedly, a bit of a long commute and busy office days have me seeking relaxation and quiet on the weekends. When I鈥檓 able, I love visiting museums and galleries, trying new restaurants with friends, cooking with my husband, taking fast walks, and finding space away from crowds. I鈥檓 kind of a hobbit 鈥撀營 like planning for multiple snacks a day, and having deliberate and excessive leisure, with occasional adventure.

Any volunteer activities you鈥檙e crazy about?

For the past two and a half years, I was a graduate student until this past May (Woods 鈥�26), so I鈥檓 just starting to reclaim my personal time beyond study periods. While I don鈥檛 have structured volunteering, I鈥檓 a big believer in donating time, money, and possessions when I can.聽

Who is your hero? Why?

I don鈥檛 look for heroes so much as I look for heroic qualities, regular people doing giant things in a distinctly hard time. As a child of the 鈥�80s, I watched my mom鈥檚 full-time career in confusion and awe; most of my friends鈥� mothers managed their homes (also its own important challenge). She聽 was the first woman I knew who held a full-time profession at a corporate level, and she built this network of powerful women 鈥撀爐hey were a complete inspiration, working hard and then literally kicking off their heels and having long fun dinner parties barefoot. She taught me about hard work, service for others, and having a wicked sense of humor. My mom passed away in 2022, and I look for her and those qualities everywhere I go. All that said, Zohran Mamdani is doing aspirational things right now, and I hope his joy and dedication become infectious. I want to clone him to every state and political office.

Who is your mentor? How did you connect with them?

Last year was my first as a Rise mentor, and it came at a valuable time, since my boss, who was an important mentor, passed away suddenly. All the women in this program stepped in and stepped up to actively teach me, and listened with compassion, life experience, and humor. I was just as much a mentor as a mentee, and I hope it鈥檒l continue that way.

What鈥檚 the most interesting place you鈥檝e visited?

I鈥檓 lucky to have traveled quite a bit in my life. During my study abroad years ago in the Czech Republic, I visited Kutn谩 Hora鈥檚 Bone Church, which was one of the most chilling and impactful places. Last year, I got to touch a grey whale in Mexico, and visited Scotland, where I made my husband promise he鈥檇 bury me there (hopefully a long time from now). This summer, I organized a private tour for my family of this amazing abandoned (haunted) mansion in Vermont.聽 I try to go to a new country every year if I can, and keep an eye out for local adventures, too. Add in a ghost story, and I鈥檓 game.

What would be impossible for you to give up?

Organization, efficiency, and communication are my trifecta. I do this fueled by coffee, chicken burritos, mandatory time alone that our house dubbed, 鈥淚ntrovert Hospital,鈥� and a family that gracefully tolerates my need for ice cream, cheese, and quiet. I also can鈥檛 give up my husband, daughter, taking pictures, and a large collection of blankets for nap time.

What鈥檚 one thing you want to accomplish before you die?

My only job is to make my daughter a better person than I am.

Caroline Davis, Associate Dean of Student Outreach and Support

Where did you grow up? Why aren鈥檛 you there now?

I grew up in Worcester, MA and actually, live close to there now!聽 I moved to Boston after college and then to Chicago, and never imagined I would move home.聽 Ultimately though, the east coast called me back and I moved back to be closer to my family as my husband and I started our own family.

What path brought you to 51成人动漫?

In college, I found my community through activism and social justice and was really interested in mental health and well-being. All of this led me to go to graduate school to become a Social Worker.聽 Before graduate school I worked in medical settings and I thought I would become a hospital-based clinician, but my graduate internship at a hospital changed my mind! I had a series of opportunities that really made me fall in love with working with young adults and I pivoted into higher ed.聽 First, I worked in Res Life but my dream job has always been what I do now. I have been at 51成人动漫 for 13 years and am still in love with the work I get to do, balancing supporting students 1:1 and positively impacting the 51成人动漫 system as a whole.

What are you most passionate about professionally?

I meet with a lot of students who are going through a very difficult time.聽 I feel so privileged that we can build trust so that they can share their stories with me and we can try to find a path forward.聽 I am passionate about working to help all students feel like they belong at 51成人动漫, are seen and heard at 51成人动漫, and help make 51成人动漫 more accessible for all students.聽

Where can we find you when you鈥檙e not working? What鈥檚 your favorite way to spend a weekend or Sunday afternoon?

When I am not working, I am probably cheering on kid鈥檚 soccer or softball, walking with our dog or playing in the yard. My ideal Sunday afternoon would involve some coffee, swimming in the ocean with my kiddos, chocolate, and snuggling up with a good book.

Any volunteer activities you鈥檙e crazy about?

We have been focused on supporting our super-local community- supporting our town鈥檚 foodbank, helping to deliver meals for meal delivery community group and also volunteer at a not-for-profit farm in town that is working to address hunger through providing fresh produce to food insecure Worcester county residents.

Who is your hero? Why?

Hero is a tough word, my favorite person is my husband Steve.聽 He is a pillar of unwavering support for me in my career, education, and for our family.聽 He works hard to be the type of person we didn鈥檛 really have growing up and inspires me to be the best parent I can be.聽 He also does all of the laundry, kid sport drop offs, most of the housework and keeps me well supplied with coffee and chocolate.聽聽

Who is your mentor? How did you connect with them?

I have a few mentors, especially former supervisors I met through work, but my field supervisor for my internship in grad school sticks out.聽 She is an incredible clinician, funny, insightful, always a step ahead, and had a huge job with the district attorney but was humble and always showed up fully herself. She has been there for me in moments when I needed support and guidance and as I grew into a professional, we have been able to learn from each other.

What鈥檚 the most interesting place you鈥檝e visited?

Seattle- not so much because it was interesting in and of itself, but because it was one of the first places I traveled to by myself as an adult and on a plane.聽 It was the first time that I had really been out of New England and although I intellectually understood that not everyone lived in the culture I did, I hadn鈥檛 realized how that could feel.聽 I knew then that I needed to leave Boston for grad school which is how I ended up in Chicago.聽

What would be impossible for you to give up?

Having a dog (or at least an animal) in my life!

What鈥檚 one thing you want to accomplish before you die?

Spend enough quality time with the people who I love and who love me.

Claire Donohue, Associate Dean, Center for Experiential Learning, 51成人动漫 Law

Where did you grow up? Why aren鈥檛 you there now?

Vestal, NY. It never occurred to me to stay home, a decision I find amusing when I reflect back on how beautiful that area of New York is and how low the cost of living is!

What path brought you to 51成人动漫?

I met my (now husband) in undergrad. He graduated a year before me and headed to NYC for work. I was looking at grad schools, but planning on deferring for a year to give him one more year to work and put his applications in. As a consequence, I looked only in big cities, and as a northeasterner at heart, only on the northeast corridor: DC, NYC, Boston. I like 51成人动漫 because it was small. My undergrad was huge鈥攁 city within itself, but in a tiny town. I found myself wanting the opposite, a small community in a large city. 51成人动漫 fit the bill.

What are you most passionate about professionally?

Being of service. I know it鈥檚 like we are supposed to say that at 51成人动漫, but truly I never once thought about any work other than public service anchored work. To be clear, I do not think that is the only path or only way鈥攕ome small part of me wonders why I didn鈥檛 just try to make bank, because money is power, but alas!

Where can we find you when you鈥檙e not working?聽What鈥檚 your favorite way to spend a weekend or Sunday afternoon?

On soccer fields, basketball courts, or dance competitions cheering my daughters on, riding my horse, running (though less these days than in the past), cooking, walking my ill-behaved dogs, gardening, and honestly sometimes staggering under the weight of the pressures involved in working full time and having a family. And on Sunday mornings in particular you will find me at church. A small very liberal Episcopal parish in East Milton Square.

Any volunteer activities you鈥檙e crazy about?

Serving as President of my town鈥檚 youth soccer league. (Shhh, I never played soccer growing up!)

Who is your hero? Why?

I don鈥檛 think I have one. I find most people, even people who impress the pants off of me, to be remarkable and fallible, inspiring and exacerbating. No one is my hero. We鈥檙e all just sort of in it, aren鈥檛 we? But okay, my grandmother impressed the crap out of me: marrying at 19, miscarrying as many times as she had babies, losing a baby at birth, making sure her four surviving children were educated, and in so doing, sending that next generation to university where she and her husband, my grandfather, had, at that same age, been in the mines of York, UK and the docks of Portsmouth, UK.

Who is your mentor? How did you connect with them?

I had had a shifting village of mentors over the years mostly from places I worked.

What鈥檚 the most interesting place you鈥檝e visited?

Impossible to answer!! I have loved Manie since I was a child. I was disoriented by the landscape of New Mexico the first time I visited my husband鈥檚 family there. I feel at home the minute I step off the plane in the U.K.. I had a work trip to Santiago, Chile that was so so cool. I have loved Portugal, Scotland, Iceland, Spain, Italy, Ireland鈥�

What would be impossible for you to give up?

Coffee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And my husband and kids.

What鈥檚 one thing you want to accomplish before you die?

Oh jeez. Nothing really. I just want to be a very ordinary, happy person surrounded by good people. But okay, I want to see my kids launch into the amazing women I see in them, but their accomplishments in that regard won鈥檛 be my accomplishments. Hmmm鈥�I think I could get my spoken French back if I had time to give it a whirl. I鈥檒l let that be my answer.

Monetta Edwards, Director, Winston Center for Leadership and Ethics

Where did you grow up? Why aren鈥檛 you there now?

Guyana, South America. My family emigrated to the United States in the 80s.

What path brought you to 51成人动漫?

I spent the first half of my career in the hospitality and corporate planning sphere and, in 2010, decided to make the transition from corporate work to have a more work-life balance, and found that here at Boston College.

What are you most passionate about professionally?

The reason I get out of bed in the morning is the opportunity to be part of our students鈥� journeys. Having the opportunity to play a role in their lives gives me purpose. I love that I can bring in incredible speakers who can come to campus to share their inspiring stories with our students and help them see what is possible.

Where can we find you when you鈥檙e not working?聽What鈥檚 your favorite way to spend a weekend or Sunday afternoon?

Reading or going to see a live show (concert or theater).

Any volunteer activities you鈥檙e crazy about?

I am a 30+ year volunteer and supporter of the Special Olympics, and The ALS Association.

Who is your hero? Why?

My maternal grandfather, Curtis Hughes. In Guyana, he made an unpopular decision at the time to pay for the education of his seven daughters. His decision set the trajectory of the strong female self-worth that is ingrained in my family.

Who is your mentor? How did you connect with them?

There are several people I consider mentors. I鈥檝e never even met a couple of them, and some are even younger. I think it is important to find people whose values align with yours, who are doing work, and who are doing things that you admire and perhaps aspire to do. I was hired into 51成人动漫 by Yasmin Nunez, the current Associate Dean of Finance and Administration at the Lynch School. She is someone I admire tremendously and has been an incredible advocate and sponsor for me here at 51成人动漫.

What鈥檚 the most interesting place you鈥檝e visited?

The Highlands of Scotland brought me a sense of peace and serenity while I was there. Paris is my soul city; I love the smell and energy of the city and never give up an opportunity to visit.

What would be impossible for you to give up?

Hands down, ice cream.

What鈥檚 one thing you want to accomplish before you die?

Speak conversational French.

Emily Egan,聽Associate Director, Campus Ministry

Where did you grow up? Why aren鈥檛 you there now?

I grew up in Worcester, MA. I have lived in several different places since then but returned to the Boston area to be closer to my family of origin as my husband, Kyle and I started a family of our own.

What path brought you to 51成人动漫?

I worked in faith-based community organizing, education, and ministry for ten years prior to 51成人动漫. I was excited by the prospect of working in Jesuit Higher Education since my experience at another Jesuit University propelled much of my life trajectory. One of the Universal Apostolic Preferences of the Society of Jesus is to, 鈥渁ccompany young people in the creation of a hope-filled future.鈥� What an inspiring endeavor!

What are you most passionate about professionally?

I鈥檓 passionate about cultivating spaces where the soul can feel its worth and to form students committed to contributing to the common good in their own unique ways.

Where can we find you when you鈥檙e not working?聽What鈥檚 your favorite way to spend a weekend or Sunday afternoon?

Spending quality time with family and friends fills me with joy. I have a five-year-old, Gavin. A gift from this past summer has been doing familiar things, like going to the beach or getting ice cream, but feeling a sense of newness doing it with him. Everything is exciting to him. It鈥檚 been a blast!

Any volunteer activities you鈥檙e crazy about?

I serve as a spiritual director with various retreat houses and faith-based organizations. One current example is the Ignatian Spirituality Project which focuses on serving women in recovery who are transitioning from being unhoused.

Who is your hero? Why?

A former high school student who has been through hell and back and still manages to see God in every person he meets. His goodness is contagious and awe-inspiring.聽

Who is your mentor? How did you connect with them?

Fr. Corey Brost, C.S.V. He was one of my first supervisors and encouraged me to creatively and relentlessly pursue my passion for faith and justice. His support carried me to faith-based initiatives in Chicago, Boston, the US/MX border, Kenya, Pine Ridge Reservation, and Israel/Palestine. I also witnessed him demonstrate great character and poise under challenging circumstances. I strive to try to always do the same.

What鈥檚 the most interesting place you鈥檝e visited?

The souls of other people who have been gracious and generous enough to let me in.

What would be impossible for you to give up?

Alone time to recharge, get centered, and pray.

What鈥檚 one thing you want to accomplish before you die?

To get over myself! haha.

Ali Bane Hammond,聽Director, Women鈥檚 Philanthropy, Major Giving

Where did you grow up? Why aren鈥檛 you there now?

I grew up in Manchester, MA. I would love to live there again someday, but right now the rush-hour commute would mean too many hours in the car and away from my 2-year-old son, Harry. I now live in Stoneham, MA, about half way between 51成人动漫 and Manchester, where my parents and many other family members still live.

What path brought you to 51成人动漫?

For starters, I went to 51成人动漫. I studied theater and communication and had no idea what I wanted to do after graduation. I ended up moving to New York City and working at N51成人动漫 during my first few years out of college. During this time, I engaged in what I now recognize as 鈥渄iscernment鈥� and discovered that I wanted to pursue higher education administration. After getting my Master鈥檚 in the field, I worked at a few different Boston-area institutions and did a short stint in Washington, DC at the Department of Education before accepting a job in 2014 as the Assistant Director of FYE, an office that had a big impact on me during my own undergraduate days.

What are you most passionate about professionally?

I am passionate about the idea of belonging. This desire to belong to one another is so innate, yet often so hard to come by. I believe the desire to belong plays an important role in the transition to college, for better and for worse. Most of the programs I run in FYE and the research I engage in as a graduate student in the Lynch School concerns, to some extent, belonging.

Where can we find you when you鈥檙e not working? What鈥檚 your favorite way to spend a weekend or Sunday afternoon?

At the beach. In the summers, I鈥檓 there as often as possible enjoying the golden hour with family and friends. In the winter, I like to bundle up and go for walks along the shoreline. Being by the ocean has always been very centering for me.

Any volunteer activities you鈥檙e crazy about?

I love the Posse Foundation, a city-based organization that recruits and prepares high school students to receive full-tuition leadership scholarships to college. I volunteered with them for years as a writing tutor. I also used to volunteer at Massachusetts General Hospital. My dad had a life-saving surgery there while I was in college, and it felt like a small way to repay the incredible healthcare workers who perform miracles on a daily basis. Over the last few years, I鈥檝e had less time to devote to those organizations, and have instead tried to support candidates for political office that I really believe in.

Who is your hero? Why?

Easy call. My parents are my heroes. Their selflessness has always inspired me to be better. However, since becoming a mom, the magnitude of their sacrifice has hit me in a new way.

Who is your mentor? How did you connect with them?

I have been lucky to have had mentors who have supported me in different seasons of life. From high school teachers, to faculty members, and supervisors at BU and 51成人动漫. A common thread among these relationships is that I had to take some initiative, usually by requesting a conversation, in which I learned about them or sought advice.

What鈥檚 the most interesting place you鈥檝e visited?

The place I have visited that has felt the least familiar to me is Marrakech, Morocco. My husband and I traveled there on the first trip we ever took together, so it holds a special place in my heart. I still have a bag of authentic Ras el hanout (a classic Moroccan spice) that I purchased in the medina. Every now and again I take it out of the cupboard and take whiff and it鈥檚 like I鈥檓 there!

What would be impossible for you to give up?

My first thought was coffee. My second was ice cream. But I鈥檓 going to go with my third, which was dancing. Dancing has been my 鈥渢hing鈥� since I was a little girl and even throughout my undergrad days at 51成人动漫. Though I rarely take class any more, I do a lot of dancing in my kitchen鈥攐ften with my son Harry on my hip.

What鈥檚 one thing you want to accomplish before you die?

I would love to write a book someday. Maybe a children鈥檚 book.

Mara Hermano,聽Vice-President, Institutional Research and Planning

Where did you grow up? Why aren鈥檛 you there now?

I grew up in Manila, Philippines. I wanted to study art by seeing the actual work, not from slides, so after two years at University, I transferred to college in NYC so I could go to museums and see a lot of art, right up close. I also wanted to get away from the restrictive cultural and gender stereotypes of the time.

What path brought you to 51成人动漫?

A meandering path has brought me to 51成人动漫. Prior to higher ed, I worked in arts and culture. I鈥檝e been in higher ed for close to 25 years, first at Washington University in St. Louis, then at Rhode Island School of Design. After 10 very busy and fulfilling years at RISD, I started to look for new learning opportunities and experiences and found myself interviewing at 51成人动漫. I鈥檝e been at 51成人动漫 since September 2019.

What are you most passionate about professionally?

There are a few things that I advocate passionately. One is integrated planning, which my professional organization defines as 鈥渁 sustainable approach to planning that builds relationships, aligns the organization, and emphasizes preparedness for change.鈥� A critical part of integrated planning is using data to inform decisions and closing the loop鈥� moving from data to assessment to planning. While it may seem counter to my work with data, I am passionate about the fundamental value of art and design -- as affirmations of our humanity and our connectedness, as catalysts for social justice, and engines for innovation and economic recovery. As one of my mentors said, art and design are a 鈥渘eed-to-have, not a nice-to-have.鈥� I encourage creativity and collaboration among my staff and support them in trying new things. Finally, I think one must find ways to have some fun at work.

Where can we find you when you鈥檙e not working?聽What鈥檚 your favorite way to spend a weekend or Sunday afternoon?

Swimming pool or beach, visiting museums, catching up with friends, reading, trying new restaurants. Since I finished my doctorate, I鈥檝e also started crocheting.

Any volunteer activities you鈥檙e crazy about?

It is a lot of work, but I really enjoy serving as a visiting evaluator for regional and professional accreditation organizations. I鈥檝e learned so much about higher education, the opportunities and challenges, what institutions have in common as well as what is distinctive about each of us. I鈥檝e also met interesting people and made new friends.

Who is your hero? Why?

My 鈥渓ola鈥� or grandmother, who raised 6 children, including an infant, traveling between the city and the countryside, while my grandfather was in a military prison camp in the Philippines during WW2. I can鈥檛 even begin to imagine the strength it took, so any time I鈥檓 having a tough day, I think about what she had to go through, and my experience just pales in comparison. She was a tough woman.

Who is your mentor? How did you connect with them?

I have two former bosses I consider mentors. They鈥檝e shown me different ways to lead, and both continue to be tremendously generous with their knowledge, perspective, networks, and time.

What鈥檚 the most interesting place you鈥檝e visited?

Taal Volcano and Lake, just south of Manila is an extraordinary geological formation, an active volcano in the middle of a lake that formed in the crater of a dormant volcano. Last summer, I spent two weeks on the island of La Palma in the Canary Islands, and visited Roque de los Muchachos 7,959 feet, home to world-class astrophysics observatories. It felt like another world, surrounded by giant telescopes on this peak. As an art historian, all sorts of buildings and structures throughout history and up to today are endlessly interesting manifestations of the power of human creativity.

What would be impossible for you to give up?

Travel, shoes, books, music, and good food.

What鈥檚 one thing you want to accomplish before you die?

Learn to sail-- I just need to find the time. And more travel!

Heather Jack, Senior Associate Director of Major Giving

Where did you grow up? Why aren鈥檛 you there now?

I grew up in Annapolis, Maryland on the Chesapeake Bay. I went to college in Middlebury, Vermont. After college my fianc茅 (now husband) was taking classes at 51成人动漫 Law so we moved to Newton in 1996. We raised two kids in this area. My daughter is a senior now at Middlebury College in Vermont and my son will be a freshman at 51成人动漫 next fall!

What path brought you to 51成人动漫?

I have been involved in the non profit sector throughout my career. In the early 2000s, I founded two nonprofits, The Volunteer Family and Future Philanthropists, the success of which led to merging with national organizations, and consulted on fundraising and marketing with 20 Boston based larger nonprofits. This led to a full-time job with Advancement at the Rivers School, where I was responsible for many initiatives, including alumni relations, annual fund and fundraising for the school鈥檚 campaign. In March of 2020, I transitioned to Boston College, where I began working for University Advancement. I work in the Northern California region as a primary contact for many of our most involved alumni and parents.

What are you most passionate about professionally?

Make the world a better place through helping nonprofits achieve their missions.

Where can we find you when you鈥檙e not working? What鈥檚 your favorite way to spend a weekend or Sunday afternoon?

Going for a run outside near the start of the Boston Marathon, spending time with my family, or reading a book on the porch in my backyard.

Any volunteer activities you鈥檙e crazy about?

I have served on many boards over the course of my career but I think mentoring through RISE might become my new favorite volunteer activity! College aged seniors are some of my favorite people. There is so much potential during this time of life.

Who is your hero? Why?

If I'm being entirely honest, my hero is definitely Taylor Swift!

Who is your mentor? How did you connect with them?

I think a good mentor opens your mind up to different possibilities and points you in a different direction you could go in your life. My best mentor was my old boss at The Rivers School. She hired me, encouraged me to take on a career in Advancement, told me how much I could learn, and taught me how to be good at this job.

What鈥檚 the most interesting place you鈥檝e visited?

The Great Barrier Reef in Austrailia! I was able to go snorkling there when I was younger.

What would be impossible for you to give up?

Exercise, especially running and yoga. Also, quiet, productive working time.

What鈥檚 one thing you want to accomplish before you die?

Biking around the world with my husband.

Alison Marshall,聽Senior Associate Director of Major Giving

Where did you grow up? Why aren鈥檛 you there now?

I grew up in Denver Colorado. I live in Boston because when I was a senior at 51成人动漫, I met my husband who is from Cambridge.聽Cantabrigians are weird people鈥� they don鈥檛 like to leave.聽 So, now I live in- wait for it- Cambridge.

What path brought you to 51成人动漫?

Both my parents, an uncle, and several older cousins went to 51成人动漫. When I was looking at colleges, like a typical 17-year-old, I told my parents that they couldn鈥檛 MAKE me go to 51成人动漫. On a family trip back East, my dad asked if we could visit campus.聽 I arrived and looked around. On the plane ride home, I told my parents that they couldn鈥檛 STOP me from applying. 🙂

Many years later, after figuring out that I wanted to be a nurse, building a clinical practice at a community health center and having a daughter, I got a chance to join a faculty at another local University. But I was overwhelmed with the responsibilities there and my husband saw a posting for a faculty position at CSON.聽 I applied without any hope of getting it- I wasn鈥檛 actually qualified.聽 But, lo and behold, the interview went well and here I am!

What are you most passionate about professionally?

I am most passionate about providing equitable healthcare to underrepresented groups, particularly women and those at the lower end of the socioeconomic spectrum. I am also passionate about teaching. 51成人动漫 students are the most amazing people and getting to spend time in a classroom together is one of my very favorite things.聽

Where can we find you when you鈥檙e not working?聽What鈥檚 your favorite way to spend a weekend or Sunday afternoon?

Those that know me know that I am either a premature grandma, or a prairie woman living in the city. I love to read, knit, garden and hike in nature.聽

Any volunteer activities you鈥檙e crazy about?

I like to volunteer at health fairs and at my daughter鈥檚 sporting events. I am a crazy parent referee!聽

Who is your hero? Why?

My heroine is my mom. She has always been a quiet example of the kind of person I hope I can be.

Who is your mentor? How did you connect with them?

An important person in my life is my doctoral Chair, Dr. Chris Lee.聽 He is a brilliant nurse scientist who I was grateful to learn from in the classroom. It was a very nerve-wracking moment when I asked him to be my Chair.聽 It is a lot of work to mentor a doctoral student, and he has a lot on his plate. I knew that once he agreed, he would provide me with excellent guidance and he did!聽 I credit getting my degree in large part to how he mentored me.聽

What鈥檚 the most interesting place you鈥檝e visited?

Japan! It was just the best cultural experience.聽 I can鈥檛 wait to go back!

What would be impossible for you to give up?

Cheese.聽 No, peanut butter. No! Diet Coke! Oh, I don't know鈥� I couldn鈥檛 live without any of those.聽

What鈥檚 one thing you want to accomplish before you die?

I really want to be able to speak Spanish fluently enough to be able to hold my own at a dinner party.聽 Right now, I can really only ask if you have a headache, a rash or elbow pain.聽

Arissa Oh,聽Associate Professor, History

Where did you grow up? Why aren鈥檛 you there now?

I grew up in Toronto; from the time my family immigrated from Korea to the time I left for college at Yale. When I left for college, I had no idea I was leaving Toronto, or Canada for good. I鈥檓 not there now because my job is here, but I鈥檇 love to go back!

What path brought you to 51成人动漫?

51成人动漫 is my first job, so it has not exactly been a long and winding road. Before I started here in 2010, I did a postdoc at University of Illinois and my PHD at University of Chicago.

What are you most passionate about professionally?

I study and teach classes about race, gender, and migration, and these are subjects that will never get old for me. People tend to equate history 鈥� what happened 鈥� and historians 鈥� the people who record what happened 鈥� with white men. I am passionate about showing that women, people of color, gay men and women, etc. also made history. Rather than the George Washingtons of the world, I want to know about the nameless people, the everyday people: how they lived, how they migrated and formed families, how they understood their own lives, and how they interacted with people who did have power. In the same way, not just white men write history. Women, people of color, marginalized people have told important stories that have too often been overlooked or purposely ignored. It鈥檚 important to me to elevate those histories and historians.

Where can we find you when you鈥檙e not working?聽What鈥檚 your favorite way to spend a weekend or Sunday afternoon?

I love boxing and kickboxing, and if I could find a partner, I鈥檇 be playing squash too. On weekends it鈥檚 all about family. I鈥檓 driving my kids to their various activities, or we鈥檙e going on family hikes or bike rides. I also love to listen to podcasts and do some embroidery or watch Korean dramas and knit.

Any volunteer activities you鈥檙e crazy about?

Unfortunately, life in the professoriate and two kids has left very little room for that kind of thing. I hope to volunteer in the future though 鈥� probably in politics and/or social justice or women and children鈥檚 issues.

Who is your hero? Why?

I don鈥檛 have one hero, but I really try to draw a lesson from and find something to emulate in all of the people in my life. Examples: one colleague has an incredibly kind way of boosting others up in every interaction; a friend works harder and more steadily than anyone I know; my mother has lived with chronic pain since I was about 12, and has never complained about it.

Who is your mentor? How did you connect with them?

I have a variety of people I turn to for different reasons. One is a colleague, one was a college professor, one was my graduate school advisor. When I was younger, I was very shy about reaching out to people, but I鈥檝e realized that it never hurts to ask anyone for anything. The worst they can do is say no (or ignore you altogether).

What鈥檚 the most interesting place you鈥檝e visited?

My husband (then boyfriend) and I drove from California to Alaska once. The area from Northern 51成人动漫 into Alaska was amazing. Stunning views, the sun set super late (it was May), there were moose and brown bears randomly on the road. It was unusual because it really struck me how self-reliant we would have to be if something happened to us. There were few people, no gas stations, and we had no cell service.

What would be impossible for you to give up?

Having a career. And sugar.

What鈥檚 one thing you want to accomplish before you die?

Get my kids raised. Learn to surf, tap dance, or speak Spanish. Write a couple more books.

Akua Sarr,聽Vice Provost for Undergraduate Academic Affairs

Where did you grow up? Why aren鈥檛 you there now?

I grew up in New York City, in Washington Heights. I haven鈥檛 lived there for close to 40 years now because I never moved back after going away to graduate school and starting a family and working outside of NYC.

What path brought you to 51成人动漫?

I鈥檝e been at 51成人动漫 for about 20 years 鈥� I started in the MCAS Dean鈥檚 Office as an Associate Dean -- I was the Junior Class Dean, then the First-Year Dean and Director of Academic Advising, and then about 10 years ago I started in my current role as Vice Provost. I came to 51成人动漫 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where I did my Ph.D. and worked in Student Academic Affairs.

What are you most passionate about professionally?

I am most passionate about working with students to help them to meet their personal and academic goals. Working with young people who are just discovering themselves intellectually and spiritually is the most rewarding part of my work.

Where can we find you when you鈥檙e not working?聽What鈥檚 your favorite way to spend a weekend or Sunday afternoon?

I love literature, theatre, the arts and food. Restaurants, museums, a good show and a great book are some of the ways that I like to spend my time.

Any volunteer activities you鈥檙e crazy about?

I鈥檓 on the board of a Catholic Elementary School in Newton, and that鈥檚 been a nice way to stay involved with my community and with the development of young minds.聽 I plan to do a lot more volunteer activities when I retire!

Who is your hero? Why?

Toni Morrison. I am in awe of the way in which she can use language in her writing. I wish I had that gift!

Who is your mentor? How did you connect with them?

I鈥檝e had a lot of mentors in my life 鈥� both personally and professionally. I think I learned the most professionally from the Assistant Dean that trained me as a graduate student at the UW-Madison 鈥� his name was Jack Cipperly. He really gave me great insight into student academic affairs. I鈥檝e followed his path and have a career that I love. I owe much of my success to his guidance.

What鈥檚 the most interesting place you鈥檝e visited?

I don鈥檛 think it鈥檚 unusual 鈥� but I love Senegal in West Africa. It has such a rich history and culture 鈥� it鈥檚 just a beautiful country.

What would be impossible for you to give up?

Cape Cod potato chips!!聽

What鈥檚 one thing you want to accomplish before you die?

I would like to spend winters in Dakar, Senegal and Summers on Martha鈥檚 Vineyard 鈥� reading all the novels that I can!

Njoke Thomas,聽Assistant Professor of Management & Organization at the Carroll School of Management

Where did you grow up? Why aren鈥檛 you there now?

I was born in Brooklyn, New York but raised in the republic of Trinidad and Tobago. At age 16 I moved to Oakland California where I attended my senior year of high school. The plan was always to move back to the US at some point as I am a citizen. These early experiences have made me a cultural hybrid and fueled my love of travel.聽

What path brought you to 51成人动漫?

Prior to deciding to pursue a career as a scholar, I worked in public health administration. I had the great fortune to work on two Organization Development initiatives in the public health sector which sparked my interest in investigating how organizations work. This led me to explore the field of organizational behavior and ultimately earn a PhD.

What are you most passionate about professionally?

I am a second-generation educator, my mom taught high school biology, and I suspect teaching is in my DNA. Incidentally, I graded a lot of biology exams growing up and my first degree is in Biology. I enjoy finding ways to make learning fun which translates to lots of activities and movies in my class. On the research side I am very concerned about the way work impacts the body and strive to discover positive deviance: how can work be good for the mind, body and soul?

Where can we find you when you鈥檙e not working?聽What鈥檚 your favorite way to spend a weekend or Sunday afternoon?

On a Sunday afternoon you can find me spending time in nature or tending to my many plants. I used to volunteer at the Cleveland Botanical Gardens and hope to get back to that.

Any volunteer activities you鈥檙e crazy about?

I have recently become a mentor to a young lady in the Girls Reflecting Our World program.

Who is your hero? Why?

I have three heroes, first mom because she taught me how to dream big and always looked fabulous. Second Octavia Butler and Zora Neale Hurston who lived the blueprint I follow for success as a scholar. Zora, by the way, always looked fly!

Who is your mentor? How did you connect with them?

I have had so many tremendous mentors and mostly they are women but the person coming to mind is someone with whom I had one life changing interaction. I was attending a young alumni event, and we did the dreaded introductions. I blurted everything out in one anxious breath. A wise older alum took me aside later and said to me "You have interesting things to say, take your time. The world will wait." That kind man was my 5-minute mentor and made such a powerful impact on my speaking presence.

What鈥檚 the most interesting place you鈥檝e visited?

The summer after my freshman year I was part of a student delegation to Haiti. This was an eye-opening experience for me and a lesson in student activism. Despite its challenges Haiti is a beautiful country. I was moved by the generosity of spirit, resilience and determination of my Haitian brother and sisters.

What would be impossible for you to give up?

I cannot give up yoga, soca or roti (a Trini dish that reflects the Indian influence on our culture).

What鈥檚 one thing you want to accomplish before you die?

Two things I'd love to accomplish someday are to get my motorcycle certification and learn how to sew.

Celeste Wells, Professor of Practice, Communications Department

Where did you grow up? Why aren鈥檛 you there now?

I聽grew up in Bountiful & Salt Lake City, Utah. I moved to Boston with my husband and daughter for work, and while I really miss the mountains and desert, I have grown to love聽the lush environment here in New England

What path brought you to 51成人动漫?

I was finishing my Ph.D. when we moved to Boston for my husband鈥檚 job.聽 I was very fortunate to get my position at 51成人动漫 after I defended my dissertation in 2010

What are you most passionate about professionally?

Getting to talk to young people about important things in the world, whether those things happened 6,000 years ago or this week, is basically the coolest job ever.聽 Education is a gift and a privilege, and I feel honored to spend my energy and time educating those who I know will have
the capacity to make a difference in our communities, country, and world.

Where can we find you when you鈥檙e not working? What鈥檚 your favorite way to spend a weekend or Sunday afternoon?

It depends on the time of year.聽 If it is spring, I am messing around in the flower garden or the vegetable/fruit garden (with the dogs dancing around me like pests). If it is summer, I am outside on the porch reading (with the dogs sleeping next to me). If it is fall, my husband and I are wandering around craft fairs (without the dogs because they are terrible in public).聽 And if it is winter, I am sitting on the couch, complaining about how dark it is outside (with the dogs standing in front of the couch glaring at me because I don鈥檛 want to take them outside).

Any volunteer activities you鈥檙e crazy about?

For the past 21, I have been working with an organization in Utah that pairs me with an elder from the Din茅 tribe to assist with food, medicine, firewood, and materials needed to weave or sew in their senior years. It has been deeply meaningful to be able to connect with these grandmothers (four incredible women over these years) who have provided me with such generosity and kindness while also allowing me to aid them with some of the resources they need to live stable and healthy lives

Who is your hero? Why?

My mom.聽 This isn鈥檛 to say there aren鈥檛 amazing .famous people that are worthy of hero status 鈥� but frankly, I have only seen the curated parts of those people.聽 My mom raised me and my sister in very difficult conditions and showed grace, unending love, compassion, patience and joy Every. Single. Day.聽 That鈥檚 pretty tough to compete with. And if I can do a fraction of what she has done in life, I will be proud.

Who is your mentor? How did you connect with them?

I have had two very since.important mentors.聽 I met both of them
within a year of each other.聽 Dr. Karen Ashcraft was one of my undergraduate professors and would become my Master's and Ph.D. chair and advisor, and Dr. Pat Freston, who was the VP of Human Resources at the company I worked for many years, and very sadly died of pancreatic cancer a few months before my daughter was born.聽 Both of these women held me accountable, encouraged, cheerleaded, and chided me.聽 Mentors don鈥檛 magically appear to us.聽 They become part of our lives because we see them, and for some reason, we have this spark of realization that this person reflects something we want to see in ourselves.聽 If we are brave enough, we
reach out to ask them to help us in developing that something.

What鈥檚 the most interesting place you鈥檝e visited?

I have been lucky to visit many places in the world throughout my life and teach in both Australia and New Zealand.聽 For this question, I am differentiating between places that were really beautiful and places that were really interesting for their history. I think a place that really sticks out as amazing and wonderful is in Verde Valley, Arizona.聽
Here, down a trail, is an amazing collection of petroglyphs by the
Southern Sinagua people that lived between 1100 and 1400 AD. These petroglyphs evidence the development of a calendar, as well as methods of marking equinox, planting schedules, and a bunch of other super cool stuff.聽 The Montezuma Castle National Monument is in this same area and shows the incredible architecture of the Sinagua people.聽 Also, quick PSA for our National Parks 鈥� this country is full of unbelievably beautiful, captivating, weird, scary and IMPORTANT history 鈥� make it a goal to see as many of our parks, historic monuments and sites, preserves, and seashores, you won鈥檛 regret it!

What would be impossible for you to give up?

I would never give up my children or my daily medication, but I feel like these answers sorta miss the vibe of the prompt.聽 So, I am
answering a slightly different question, 鈥淲hat is a stupid thing that you would never want to give up (but know you could If you had to)鈥� and that thing is white bread.聽 I love, love, love cheap white bread.聽 I also love sourdough bread. I also love brown bread from Cheesecake Factory.聽 So basically, I love all the breads.

What鈥檚 one thing you want to accomplish before you die?

I know we can die any day at any time, and so I try not to worry too hard about end-state goals, but instead focus on if I died today, would those I love KNOW, with every fiber of their being, that I loved them, was proud of them, and that I knew that they loved me. When we lose people we love, these are the things that we fixate on, so they are the things I try to focus on daily. Accomplishing this means paying attention to not just how I act on my good days, but when I am tired, grumpy, and miserable, the people around me still never question my love and adoration of them.聽 They just know
I鈥檓 grumpy because I don鈥檛 have access to white bread.