Why be a Boston College

Resident Director?
Why be a Boston College
Resident Director?
When I started here at BC as a graduate student, I
did not anticipate how this school would have such
a profound impact on my professional career. Over
the past 6 years, I have found so many
opportunities to get involved and to keep
developing my professional skill set. Working at
Boston College in the Office of Residential Life has
allowed me to develop my supervision, program
development, and crisis management skills. I’ve also
been able to participate and lead retreats, become
an academic advisor, and get involved in our
affinity groups on campus.

I have been honored to move from being a graduate

student, to a Resident Director, to an Area Jenna Sattar Kwiatek
Coordinator, and now, to an Assistant Director Assistant Director,
during my tenure here. I have learned and grown
so much as a professional and am so thankful for
Sophomore Area
the opportunities I have been given as a member of
the Office of Residential Life.
Why be a Boston College
Resident Director?
When I graduated from BC with my undergraduate
degree, I always knew I wanted to come back to work in
Jesuit education.  I completed my grad work and first
job out of graduate school at a large, public institution
with a very large housing department.  I left Jesuit
education so I could learn more about myself and my
field in a different context.   After four years away, I
knew it was time to return.  

I returned to Jesuit education because of the mission-

driven work that creates the institutional ethos of care
and informs every student interaction and department
decision.  Working at a Jesuit institution puts the
Mary Risigo development and care of the person first, which allows
us as educators to form the responsible, reflective
Academic Advisor, members of society.  Coming to BC felt a lot like coming
Woods College of home because I was surrounded by people who
Advancing Studies approached our work in Student Affairs with like-
minded values and dedication to a mission much larger
than any of us individually.
Why be a Boston College
Resident Director?
As an undergraduate student at St. Bonaventure University,
I learned the value of service, pursuing knowledge to find
truth, reflection and wisdom, and understanding and
humility. After reflecting on my experience as an
undergraduate student at a Franciscan institution, I knew
that I wanted to continue my professional journey at a
mission driven institution with strong values. Once I began
my interview process with Boston College, I immediately
knew that I would be able to find these values within the
institutional culture and student experience.

Even though I have only been at BC for 7 months, I feel that

I have been able to develop relationships with folks in our
department, along with other departments. I am currently a
member of MEEA (Middle Eastern Employees and Allies),
which has allowed me to explore a part of my identity with
supportive members of the BC Community. I have also been
able to follow my passions within student affairs by creating
a proposal for a themed community that will support and
house international students, along with providing a
cultural engagement alternative for students that may not
be able to partake in a study abroad experience. I hope to
continue to live through my passions at BC and I hope to
Audrey Mooradian
give back to the BC community. Resident Director
 Why be a Boston College
Resident Director?

Thomas Harwell
Director of Student Diversity
& Inclusion Initiatives
Questrom School of Business
Boston University

Being an RD gave me the opportunity to develop the skill set that I thought was going
to enhance my career. Having the opportunity to lead and serve on departmental and
campus committees allowed me to gain expertise in an array of functional areas. This
led me to serve as an Assistant Director in Career Services before taking on my current
role as the Director of Student Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives in the Questrom School
of Business. Learning how to work with different people, critically and strategically
develop solutions to complex issues, and become immersed in the campus and NASPA
Regional community are all attributes that have led to my continued success, which
not have been possible without the supportive supervisors, colleagues, and mentors
that I developed at Boston College. 
Why be a Boston College
Resident Director?

I wanted to be at an institution with school

spirit and traditions that students and staff
members can participate in. Over the
last three years, the school spirit at BC has
been contagious. From sporting events to
dance shows to traditions such as first year
convocation, I've enjoyed being a part of
something more than my day-to-day role.
 Running in to students in my BC gear has
continued to develop relationships and
follow-up conversations because they realize
I'm more than an RD. I'm a BC Eagle, just like
Matt Razek them. Residential Life is usually invited to
sporting events and dance shows and I'm
Resident Director always one of the first individuals to jump
on the free tickets. This has made me feel
more a part of the community. It's made BC
feel like home. Go Eagles!
 Why be a Boston College
Resident Director?
Samantha Gordon
I have been at BC for the past 4 years, three of Resident Director
which working professionally with first-
year women as the Resident Director for the
Kostka Women's Experience, a living-
learning community, while also overseeing
two other buildings. The best part of my
experience here has been working with the
Kostka Women's Experience. Through this
community, I get to work alongside the
Women's Center in promoting and planning
events such as Love Your Body Week and
Care About Rape Education week. My
placement in this community was very
much based on my passion for working with
female students and all things feminist. BC
has been able to provide me with the
opportunities to get involved in areas that I
am passionate about.
 Why be a Boston College
Resident Director?
Aside from our in-house professional development
workshops, I have been able to attend multiple
conferences and work with other departments to gain
experiences that focus on living out the Jesuit mission
through reflective practices. Specifically, as a Retreat
Director for a vocational discernment retreat I am able
to work with students in a different context than as a
Resident Director while also learning more about
reflection and career exploration.

As a member of the Jewish faith, I have found so many

ways in which the Jesuit mission aligns with my own
non-Catholic faith tradition. The dedication to lifelong
learning, helping others and the world through a
commitment to service and social justice, and the
importance of finding God in everyday life has made Jeremy Weinberg
working at BC an incredibly personal experience for me Resident Director
as well as a beneficial professional experience. Students
and colleagues are much more open about their beliefs
in ways I did not find at non-religious institutions while
also giving the space for expression in all ways that are
not religious.