The term AHANA was coined in 1979 by two students, Alfred Feliciano and Valerie Lewis. These students, acting as ambassadors for fellow students, objected to the name "Office of Minority Programs" then used by the University, citing the definition of the word minority as "less than." They approached Dr. Donald Brown, then director of AHANA Student Programs, and proposed that Boston College use the term AHANA, instead of minority. They felt that the acronym AHANA, representing students of African American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American descent, celebrated the cultural differences present in our society.

After receiving overwhelming approval from the University's Board of Trustees, the Office of Minority Student Programs became the Office of AHANA Student Programs. Today, with Boston College's permission, colleges and universities across the country have followed Boston College's lead to use the term AHANA to represent their minority students. Here at Boston College, the Office of AHANA Student Programs develops, implements, and coordinates a variety of programs that support and enhance the academic performance of undergraduate AHANA students.

The Office of AHANA Student Programs is located inside the Thea Bowman AHANA Center. The Thea Bowman AHANA Center was acquired in 1970 and is named in honor of Thea Bowman, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration. It is located at 72 College Road, adjacent to main campus.

Click here to learn about a complete array of services and programs offered at the Thea Bowman AHANA Center.