Our Mission

The mission of the Office of Global Education (OGE), in accordance with Boston College’s Jesuit values, is to provide BC students with a wide variety of educational opportunities abroad. In the spirit of men and women for others, as well as providing an emphasis on global citizenship, OGE’s programs are designed to complement and enrich the Boston College experience.

Guiding values of OGE 

OGE is committed to helping students become more independent. It is our expectation that students work in a collaborative manner with OGE, our partners, and the BC community. OGE expects students to be engaged throughout their education abroad journey. OGE expects students to take ownership and responsibility for all aspects of their study abroad experiences. 

OGE is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all students interested in pursuing global opportunities both away from the Heights and for exchange students visiting BC. OGE strives to foster an environment that is considerate to all BC students and the greater BC community. 

OGE’s advising model is rooted in professional standards and has been honed by years of professional experience. OGE is committed to providing high-quality education abroad advising to all Boston College and exchange students. 

OGE’s programs are designed for students to develop critical skills while abroad to help with their future employability and personal development. 

OGE believes that time abroad will help BC students foster a sense of their place and belonging as part of the larger global community. 

OGE is committed to exploring how global education can be more environmentally sustainable.

Advise >1,200 students from all fields of study and with varied foreign language backgrounds, who participate in semester, academic year and summer faculty-led programs and internships

Advise students applying for fellowships, scholarships, and grants, many of which fund study and research abroad

Provide ongoing support for students participating in international programs, from pre-departure to re-entry

Process academic credit for approved semester and OGE summer programs abroad

In coordination with the McGillycuddy-Logue Center for Undergraduate Global Studies, administer the McGillycuddy-Logue Fellows Program

Provide academic and administrative support for over 200 international exchange students annually from partner institutions

Organize activities that promote the internationalization of the University

Learning Outcomes

On an ongoing basis, the Office of Globlal Education’s assessment initiative reviews all BC and external programs to gauge the extent to which students are meeting the following goals and learning outcomes, derived from its mission statement.

OGE Assessment Plan

Global Mindedness

  • Increased awareness and concern for world affairs.
  • Empathy for others from diverse backgrounds.
  • Sense of responsibility toward others.

Cross-cultural Learning

  • Ability to understand and articulate different viewpoints.
  • Tolerance for ambiguity.
  • Ability to recognize and decipher social cues and norms, and act accordingly within local culture.

Foreign Language Acquisition (in non-English speaking countries)

  • Ability to carry out daily tasks in the host country (for students with no prior host language experience).
  • Advanced host language proficiency (for students with prior host language experience).

Academic Enrichment

  • Further development of disciplinary knowledge and skills.
  • Development of new areas of interest.
  • Ability to understand structure and function in other academic systems.

Meet Our Team

 

Larry Pickener
Larry Pickener
Director
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Larry Pickener

Larry Pickener

Director

Austen Carpenter
Austen Carpenter
Program Manager

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Austen Carpenter

Austen Carpenter

Program Manager

Christina Hatzipetros
Christina Hatzipetros
Associate Director, Program Development & Communications

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Christina Hatzipetros

Christina Hatzipetros

Associate Director, Program Development & Communications

Brodie Henry
Brodie Henry
Academic Operations Administrator

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Brodie Henry

Brodie Henry

Academic Operations Administrator

Ashley Jun
Ashley Jun
Associate Director, Finance and Operations

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Ashley Jun

Ashley Jun

Associate Director, Finance and Operations

Samantha Lee
Samantha Lee
Program Manager

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Samantha Lee

Samantha Lee

Program Manager

Brendan McGrath
Brendan McGrath
Administrative & Fiscal Assistant

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Brendan McGrath

Brendan McGrath

Administrative & Fiscal Assistant

Rowan Mayback
Rowan Mayback
Technology & Applications Specialist

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Rowan Mayback

Rowan Mayback

Technology & Applications Specialist

Patrick O'Donnell
Patrick O'Donnell
Assistant Director, Education Abroad

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Patrick O'Donnell

Patrick O'Donnell

Assistant Director, Education Abroad

Elizabeth Ryba
Elizabeth Ryba
Exchange Program Manager

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Elizabeth Ryba

Elizabeth Ryba

Exchange Program Manager

Vaughn Thornton
Vaughn Thornton
Program & Outreach Specialist

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Vaughn Thornton

Vaughn Thornton

Program & Outreach Specialist

Shannon Williams
Shannon Williams
Summer & Internships Program Manager

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Shannon Williams

Shannon Williams

Summer & Internships Program Manager

Our Home

Our office is located in Hovey House, at 258 Hammond Street, across Beacon Street from McElroy Commons. Locate us on the BC campus map. Hovey House is equipped with an accessible parking spot and entrance through the patio and library. For assistance, please call: 617-552-3827. 

Hovey House