Boston College is among the top “Schools for Service” in the United States, as identified by the Catholic Volunteer Network, an organization of Christian volunteer and mission programs that fosters and promotes full-time national and international service opportunities.
BC is among five institutions singled out by CVN in the New England region, along with the College of the Holy Cross, Providence College, Stonehill College, and St. Anselm College; other schools are grouped in the Mid-Atlantic, West and Southwest, and Midwest regions.
“We’re proud to recognize one particular group of service supporters—the women and men who serve in campus ministries, service-learning and social justice offices, and career centers at colleges and universities nationwide," CVN noted in posting the “Schools for Service” list as part of its National Volunteer Week commemoration. "These campus professionals walk with students, help them engage in service, and help them to consider how to incorporate spirituality and social justice into their lives post-graduation.
“Through this work,” CVN continued, “they help both their students and our member programs to share in the vision statement of the Catholic Volunteer Network: Through service rooted in faith, all will know the opportunity to impact the world and be transformed.”
Kate Daly, associate director of the Boston College Volunteer and Service Learning Center, said BC students who consider full-time service after graduation have many resources on campus—including herself, a former member of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, as well as many other people across the University who serve as mentors and advisors. The VSLC works with Campus Ministry, the Career Center, Student Services, and many other departments to offer programming and resources to help students make this decision, she said.
“We offer one-on-one advising and for many years held a post-graduate service discernment overnight with seniors and alumni who are former volunteers. We also host a post-grad service reception before Senior Week for seniors who have chosen full-time service. This event is attended by the many faculty, staff, and administrators who want to acknowledge this choice.”
Daly added that more than 50 of the Catholic Volunteer Network member organizations come to BC every fall for the Post-Graduate Service Fair sponsored by VSLC and the Career Center, which provides an opportunity for recruiters and students to meet one-on-one to discuss domestic and international full-time service.
Serving with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps was “a transformational year for me, and continues to be so,” said Daly. “I am always impressed by the thoughtfulness and care our students take in discerning whether full-time service is the right next step for them. It's a privilege to be able to walk with students wherever their heart for service might lead them.”
Daniel Ponsetto, the Welles Remy Crowther Director of the Volunteer and Service Learning Center, praised Daly’s role in helping students decide on pursuing post-graduate service and said the CVN’s selection of BC was gratifying in many respects.
“This recognition by Catholic Volunteer Network is an affirmation of the commitment Boston College has made to service-learning, and an acknowledgement of the many students who choose to serve after graduation,” he said. “In a special way, it also celebrates the many wonderful staff and faculty mentors on our campus who encourage our students to serve others.”
Sean Smith | University Communications | May 2020
