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Thrive


Creating a Safe and Empowering Community

You asked for a place to talk; we're here to listen. You asked for a community; we're here to build one. You asked for a place to grow; we're here to help you thrive. Thrive is a mentorship program for sophomore women to build new relationships and engage in authentic conversation. The program consists of weekly small group meetings facilitated by upperclasswomen held throughout the spring semester. Topics for discussion include the intersection of salient aspects of one’s identity, passions and vocations, community and friendship, goal-setting, and much more!

Take this chance to connect with upperclasswomen and mentors, build community, and talk about the shared experiences of being students at BC. 

Sophomore women meet weekly with their small groups in the spring semester. Weekly 90-minute meetings occur in small groups of six to seven sophomore women and two junior and/or senior mentors. Weekly meeting times are determined by the group before the start of the spring semester. Other commitments include a winter welcome event, monthly program-wide dinners in the spring, and a closing event.

Sophomore Application (will open in November)

 2022–2023 Schedule

Thrive Participants 2022-2023

Anna Daher, LSOEHD '23

Graduate Assistant, Thrive Mentor ProgramAnna is the Graduate Assistant for the Thrive Mentor Program. She is from Boston and graduated from Boston University in 2020 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She is in her final year of the Masters in Higher Education program, on the Student Affairs track in the Lynch School of Education and Human Development. Anna is looking forward to continuing her work in the Women's Center this year and is passionate about providing support for all students to feel safe and empowered on campus. In her free time, she likes to go on walks, practice cooking Lebanese dishes, and spend time with her family and friends.

Christie Louis

Christie Louis, '24

Christie is originally from Petion-ville, Haiti but now resides in Wrentham, MA. She is undeclared on the pre-med track hoping to earn her Biology BS and minor in African and African Diaspora Studies. Christie is extremely passionate about racial justice issues with an emphasis on Black women's health and well-being. She aspires to be an OBGYN in hopes of dedicating her life's work to decreasing the Black Maternal Mortality rate in the United States and around the world. Christie currently serves as an Events Coordinator for HA and as AHANA+ Caucus Coordinator for ALC. She has a deep love for travel, cooking, and dancing to Kompa. She is extremely honored to have the opportunity to work in an office such as the Women's Center which aims to create a safe and inclusive space for all women on campus. 

Lesley Carranza Bonilla

Lesley Carranza Bonilla, '24

Lesley was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts but spends most summers in El Salvador with her family. She is majoring in Nursing with hopes of concentrating on public health. Lesley is passionate about social justice, women's rights, and healthcare equity; especially those in relation to health disparities among African American and Latinx women during pregnancy. She is committed to learning more about inequalities in the healthcare field and the necessary steps needed to implement solutions. Lesley aspires to become a midwife in hopes of dedicating her life's work to decreasing pregnancy-related inequalities worldwide. Lesley believes safe spaces like the Women's Center provide the support individuals need and the resources to develop new skills to reach their full potential. On campus, Lesley is involved in the Organization of Latin American Affairs, Vida De Intensa Pasion dance team, Strong Women Strong Girls, Keys to Inclusive Leadership in Nursing, and the McNair Scholars Program in which she is conducting undergraduate research on pregnancy experiences during the Covid-19 Pandemic. When Lesley is not busy with school-related work, she enjoys reading romance novels, discovering new music, watching true crime documentaries, and cooking new foods.

Justine Rozenich, '25

Justine Rozenich, '25

Justine is from Glen Ellyn, Illinois. She is double majoring in International Studies and Philosophy, aspiring to someday work as a lawyer in the human rights field. She is passionate about intersectionality and sexual assault prevention, and this year she hopes to continue increasing student accessibility to the important resources offered by the Women’s Center. At BC, Justine is involved in both The Gavel and Camp Kesem, in addition to serving as a tour guide and panelist for the Student Admission Program. In her spare time, she loves to pick up a good book, explore restaurants in Boston, and spend time with family and friends. She believes that the Women’s Center is an incredibly special space on campus and is extremely grateful for the opportunity to join the team this year! 

Mentor Pair 1: Louise & Fernanda

Louis Kim '23

Louise Kim, '23

Louise is a senior studying finance and entrepreneurship in CSOM, and living in Iggy this year! On campus she is a tour guide, an associate for the SSC Venture Studio, and a family head for RHA. She loves watching TV and movies (is currently on season 2 of Game of Thrones!!), cooking/baking, and listening to music (Taylor Swift, Panic! at the Disco, the Lumineers, Korean indie, etc etc). Her goal for Thrive is to create a safe space where everyone can learn from each other (including me!) and share experiences, goals, worries, thoughts, and everything in between.

Fernanda Botello Deras

Fernanda Botello Deras '23

Fernanda is a senior pursuing a Psychology BS and is interested in attending Law school postgrad. She is from Mexico City but has lived in places such as Connecticut, Puerto Rico, California, and currently Stockholm, Sweden. She is grateful for this mentoring opportunity in the Thrive Program because it is a fantastic way to form new friendships and hopefully cultivate an abundance of connections and create an open environment in which everyone involved can grow. She is interested in issues regarding immigration and the intersectionality behind being an immigrant and also being a woman. In the fall semester of 2021, Fernanda studied abroad in Utrecht, the Netherlands, being able to easily visit home in Sweden and getting to see her English bulldog named Ozzy.

Mentor Pair 2: Mairi & Lauren

Mairi Scholefield '23

Mairi Scholefield, '23

Mairi is from Medford Lakes, New Jersey. She is a senior majoring in International Studies. On campus, Mairi is a member of FACES Council and is a Peer Advisor for the International Studies Program. In her spare time, Mairi enjoys spending time outside in her hammock, trying new restaurants, and exploring the city. Mairi was a participant in Thrive her sophomore year, and she is excited to have the opportunity to be a mentor for this year’s Thrive mentees!

Lauren Gillet '23

Lauren Gillet, '23

Lauren was born in Bangkok, Thailand to British parents but has lived in South Florida since she was 6 years old. She is a senior and first-generation college student majoring in Economics with minors in International Studies and Accounting for Finance & Consulting. She is interested in the intersection between economics and education and how different countries can pursue sustainable development to reduce both intranational and international inequities. This is her first year with the Women's Center where she is excited to be a mentor to sophomore women as a part of Thrive. She is also involved with the Student Admissions Program as a panelist, works at the Career Center, and is a part of the Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program. Outside of school, Lauren loves to go to concerts, watch baking shows and Disney/Marvel movies with her friends, and especially travel and has been to around 30 countries.

Mentor Pair 3: Devin, Katherine, Lila

Devin Hoffman

Devin Hoffman, '23

Devin is a senior majoring in Nursing and minoring in medical humanities. She grew up both in Connecticut and outside London with her parents, brother and sister (who are twins!), and her golden retriever. Devin is passionate about health equity, social justice, and mental health and hopes to someday work on community health initiatives, particularly with survivors of sexual and domestic violence. On campus, she is involved in Arrupe International Immersion, 4Boston, Bystander Intervention, and the University Chorale. In her free time, Devin enjoys discovering new music, cooking, and reading. She can also be found attempting to re-teach herself piano or taking many walks around the res.

Katherine Jackson

Katherine Jackson, '23

Katherine is from a tiny town southwest of Boston, and is at BC as a senior majoring in nursing. When she's not running to and from clinicals/jobs at various hospitals, she enjoys working on the training side of the Women Center's Bystander Intervention Program, playing board games with friends, listening to and singing all kinds of music, reading mystery novels, trying new foods, and drinking copious amounts of coffee. Katherine's photo was taken by Aneesa Wermers for If You're Reading This, a mental health support network with a chapter at BC. Her photo was published this fall along with her letter openly detailing her own mental health journey. Katherine is so excited to be a Thrive mentor this year and openly share about her experiences at BC (spoiler alert, it's not been all fun and football games!), and work to help others feel empowered to talk about their experiences, the good and the bad, with self love.

Lila Zarrella

Lila Zarrella, '23

Lila is from Rhode Island and strongly identifies with her New England upbringing (as evidenced by her allegiance to all things Boston sports, Dunkin, and Noah Kahan). She is double-majoring in Political Science and History and is currently in the process of applying to law school. She is passionate about sexual violence prevention and reproductive justice. Outside of Thrive, Lila is an editor for the Oracle (Boston College’s History Journal), a third-year trainer in the Bystander Intervention Program, and a fellow in the John Marshall Program through the political science department. She loves exploring Boston, taking a spin or yoga class at the plex, reading, and cooking (often with as much garlic and cayenne pepper as her tastebuds will allow).

Mentor Pair 4: Jyllian & Isabella

Jyllian Foster

Jyllian Foster, '24

Jyllian is from Abingdon, Virginia, a small mountain town off the Appalachian trail. She is majoring in Communication with double minors in American Studies and Theology. At BC, she is a coordinator for Campus Activities Board’s Live Entertainment department and an associate editor for the Gavel’s Print Edition. Jyllian is passionate about community building and connecting with others through service. When not in class, she avoids her homework by FaceTiming her home friends, trying new snacks from Trader Joe’s, attending obscure campus events and shamelessly listening to country music.

Isabella Thorpe

Isabella Thorpe, '23

Isabella is a senior from Tampa, Florida. She is majoring in English and Political Science and has hopes to attend law school after she graduates. As a proud Cuban and Peruvian, she hopes to uplift her community through advocacy and is passionate about making immigration more accessible and fair. On campus, Isabella is involved in The Campus School Volunteers at Boston College and is a research assistant in the Lynch School of Education. She is so excited to meet everyone on the THRIVE team and foster a safe and comfortable space. In her free time, she loves to read, watch and listen to musicals, explore new parts of New England with friends, and do pilates and yoga!

Mentor Pair 5: Lili & Mabel

Lili Fleming

Lili Fleming, '24

Lili is a current senior majoring in finance as well as communication. In addition to academics, she is a member of the Golden Eagles Dance Team as well as an editor for Sub Turri (yearbook). She strives to create authentic connections and engage with her community in whatever ways she can. Outside of BC, Lili adores her bichon, Milo and loves spending her free time working at Lululemon!

Mabel Bassi

Mabel Bassi, '23

Mabel Bassi is a senior at Boston College, majoring in Neuroscience. She is from Huntington, Long Island. At school, she is involved with BC Campus Ministry as a Kairos Co-director and has previously been involved with Jenks Leadership Program. Mainly, she is passionate about spirituality, self-reflection, and introspection. She is excited to be a Thrive mentor this year, as she believes that conversations about women's identity and health are vital, and that Thrive helps to build that necessary sense of community for women at Boston College.

Mentor Pair 6: Christie & Srina

Christie Louis

Christie Louis, '24

Christie is originally from Petion-ville, Haiti but now resides in Wrentham, MA. She is undeclared on the pre-med track hoping to earn her Biology BS and minor in African and African Diaspora Studies. Christie is extremely passionate about racial justice issues with an emphasis on Black women's health and well-being. She aspires to be an OBGYN in hopes of dedicating her life's work to decreasing the Black Maternal Mortality rate in the United States and around the world. Christie currently serves as an Events Coordinator for HA and as AHANA+ Caucus Coordinator for ALC. She has a deep love for travel, cooking, and dancing to Kompa. She is extremely honored to have the opportunity to work in an office such as the Women's Center which aims to create a safe and inclusive space for all women on campus.

Srina Lacet

Srina Lacet, '24

Srina is originally from the New England area but currently lives in Frederick, MD. She is double-majoring in Political Science and African and African Diaspora Studies on the Pre-Law track. She is passionate about social justice, Black feminism, and mental health advocacy, especially for women of color on campus. During her time at Boston College and beyond, Srina hopes to promote the advancement of vulnerable and marginalized populations. Her driving force is to give voice to underserved communities by working within political and educational power systems to change repressive mechanisms.

On-campus, Srina is involved in Haitian Association, F.I.S.T.S. dance team, UGBC AHANA+ Leadership Council, and the Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program. She also has an interest in film and video production as a form of self-expression and storytelling. Outside of the Women’s Center, she enjoys exploring campus or Boston with friends, listening to music, and reminiscing about her favorite Disney Channel Original Movies. She hopes to contribute to creating a safe and inclusive space for all students through her work at the Women’s Center.

Mentor Pair 7: Gracie & Caroline

Gracie Kwak

Gracie Kwak, '23

Gracie is a junior pursuing a Psychology BS with minors in Computer Science and Accounting for Finance & Consulting. She is from Seoul, Korea and is interested in the intersections of gender and culture and is a passionate advocate for those struggling with intimate partner violence. Gracie is also obsessed with her dog, Lucy (pictured above) who lives in Seoul with her parents. When she's not in the WC, you can usually find Gracie at the plex or getting some work done in an empty classroom.

Caroliine Frantz

Caroline Frantz, '23

Caroline is from a suburb of San Francisco and grew up in the Bay Area. She is a senior Psychology (BA) major and double minors in Women's & Gender Studies and Management for Social Impact. Last year Caroline worked on the Boston College Women's Summit and on the Advocacy side of the Women Center's Bystander Intervention Program and is excited to continue that work next year. Outside of the Women's Center, Caroline is a leader for the Kairos program out of the Office of Campus Ministry and is a group leader for BC Bigs, a volunteer program centered around mentoring underserved Boston youth. She loves hiking with her dog, Mexican food, spending time with friends, and doing any outdoor activities.