By
Amanda Terzian, Connell School of Nursing
Hometown: Albany, NY
Accomplishments: Member of Sigma Theta Tau International (nursing honor society); Sister Thea Bowman Scholar Award winner; Undergraduate Research Fellow for Assistant Professor Kelly Stamp; peer leader of CSON Freshman Nursing Professional Development Seminar; member, CSON chapter of the National Student Nurses’ Association; mentor in BC Big Sister/Little Sister program; tutor at Connors Family Learning Center; student nurse technician at US Veterans Administration Medical Center (NY); home health aide for a local elderly couple.
Post Graduation Plans: Accepted into the Connell School’s BS/MS program and plans to become an adult/geriatric nurse practitioner.
My time at Boston College has allowed me to realize and embody the Jesuit tradition of “service to others” in a very real and personal way. As a nursing student, I have had a unique education experience, much of which occurs in the clinical setting caring for patients. I think there is a natural connection between the Jesuit spirit and nursing, and Boston College has allowed me to embrace the two as one. Similar to the Jesuit tradition, nursing takes a holistic perspective by caring for the whole person but with consideration for each part: mind, body, and spirit. At Boston College, I too have been able to mature in these aspects and come to better understand myself. I hope that by having a more complete sense of self, I can foster this same growth and healing environment for my patients. I hope to carry the spirit of service, art of reflection, and sense of interrelatedness into my future career.
Emmie A. Monsein, Carroll School of Management
Hometown: Minneapolis, MN
Achievements: CSOM Honors Program; Golden Key International Honor Society; Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society; peer advisor in CSOM; co-organizer, Every Bite Counts food donation program; co-leader and trainer for low-income tax assistance program partnership between CSOM Accounting faculty and BC Neighborhood Center.
Post-Graduation Plans: Work as an investment banking analyst for the boutique advisory firm Moelis and Company in Boston.
BC has made such an impact. I think the academic influence is more obvious, but the extracurricular pursuits and the relationships have really made their mark. I never imagined I would be able to form such close relationships with professors and administrators. Of course I've made such great friends, and I am also grateful for the international experiences BC has provided, both the International Management Experience course and studying abroad in Greece. I've learned how important it is to me to find ways to give back, be it through service trips, weekly volunteering, or in more of an administrative/facilitator role. Ultimately, BC has left me with an understanding of the importance of community and all of its components.
Irza M. Torres, Lynch School of Education
Hometown: Boston
Accomplishments: Recipient of Alfred Feliciano and Valerie Lewis Award for AHANA leadership; research project in Guatemala; mentor to students at Another Course to College High School program in Boston; advisor at Learning to Learn program; undergraduate research assistant to Professor Brinton Lykes; research on the DREAM Act submitted to the Journal of Hispanic Higher Education and to be presented at a Harvard Graduate School of Education conference.
Post-Graduation Plans: Will work with the City Year program before attending graduate school to study social work.
My journey at BC has been a formative experience. I have learned to find my purpose and to develop an understanding on how to best serve others with my talents. As a first-generation college student, I am grateful to have received a BC education and I intend on giving back to my community — particularly by sharing my story with inner-city youth attending Boston Public Schools during my City Year service term: If I can do it, so can they. I am proud to be the first person in my family to graduate from college.