We believe that everyone should have a stake in ensuring that all individuals are empowered to reach their potential while participating fully in their communities.

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Ahana Summit

AHANA Summit

Join the BAIC for a retreat designed specifically for AHANA students! The goal of the AHANA Summit is to continue to build community among AHANA students, highlight resources on campus, and allow each student to share his or her unique story.

AHANA Summit will take place on Friday February 4- Sunday February 6, 2022.

Register today to secure your spot!

Contact Danielle Date for more information.

Benjamin E. Mays Mentoring Program

The purpose of the Benjamin Elijah Mays Mentoring Program at Boston College is to assist undergraduate students in building solid foundations. The underlying objective of the program is to inspire students to strive toward excellence and to give them a steady advocate while they navigate through college. Students can benefit from the encouragement, sound advice, and ongoing support from those who have succeeded in reaching their goals. Students are able to better define educational, career and life goals with such resources at hand, particularly through obstacles they may face.

Mentoring Program

Navigating a large university campus can be challenging for any freshman, but AHANA (African American, Hispanic, Asian, Native American), multiracial, and OTE students at Boston College can find support through the Benjamin Elijah Mays Mentoring Program. This mentoring program, is named after the great educator Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays, who served as a mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and many others. It was established in 1991 by the Office of AHANA Student Programs under a Ford Foundation grant dedicated to improving campus diversity. The Mays Mentoring Program is designed to provide undergraduate students with an opportunity to have a personal connection with a faculty member, administrator, or staff who can guide them through the college environment.

The Mays Mentoring Program also attempts to ameliorate potential isolation and loneliness that are often experienced by undergraduate students by pairing them with a mentor who is dedicated to developing a relationship with students througout their Boston College journey. There are currently over 67 mentors, including administrators, faculty members and staff, and over 100 students enrolled as proteges.  

Learning Outcomes

By participating in the Benjamin Elijah Mays Mentoring Program, protégés will be able to:

  • Seek support/guidance from their mentors
  • Listen and critically examine the perspectives of their mentors
  • Think critically and proactively with regards to their academic, social/personal and long-term career goals
  • Articulate the value of a mentoring relationship and the importance of having mentors
  • Learn and identify new resources available on campus, and how/when to utilize them


Applications

Students: 
Complete the protégés application

Faculty/Staff:

For New Mentors ONLY: 
Complete the mentor application

Current Mentors ONLY: 
Update your Mentor Participation Form

For more information about the Benjamin E. Mays Mentoring Program, please contact:

Email: maymentoring@gmail.com

 

Bowman Advocates for Inclusive Culture

Mission Statement

Bowman Advocates for Inclusive Culture are student leaders who strive to support and empower the undergraduate student body in building a more inclusive Boston College community through cross-cultural dialogue.

Who We Are

Boston College sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have been trained by BAIC staff members to facilitate cross-cultural activities and dialogues with our peer community.

What We Do

  1. Co-facilitate debrief sessions during the Diversity Edu program during Welcome Week along with Resident Assistants, FACES members, faculty, and staff
  2. Facilitate Cultural Competency workshops for students that focus on diversity and identity
  3. Facilitate small group discussions at BAIC events or Diversity Conferences

Bowman Advocates

  • Bowman Advocates:Accurately assess the strengths and weaknesses of their leadership skills
  • Articulate awareness of social justice issuesIdentify the relationship between past inequalities' and current social structures and conditions
  • Identify experiences that have consciously or unconsciously shaped their identity, assumptions about other people and their world view.
  • Define specific terms related to prejudice and discrimination
  • Explain the impact of bias behaviors in interpersonal and inter-group relationships  
  • Explain different levels of power and privilege that are associated with group membership      
     

 


 

If you have any questions or are interested in being part of the Bowman Advocate leadership program, please contact:

Andy Petigny, Associate Director
andy.petigny@bc.edu

Yolanda Okundaye
okundayy@bc.edu

Applications are due April 10th!

Apply Today

The Magis Civil Rights Immersion Trip is a six-day tour through the South with stops at major sites related to the civil rights movement. The trip coincides with BC’s spring break, and encourages students to gain a deeper understanding of historic events, and of their own place within the continued battle for racial equality in the United States.  

Mission

As part of the aim of the 360 degree development of our students, the facilitation of a healthy concept of self is crucial. Important to understanding who we are as individuals, as well as being culturally and racially diverse, is an appreciation of where we come from and the history of struggle by our forebears that allow us to experience the liberties we so take for granted these days.

The civil rights movement is a pivotal part of this for many of us; white and black alike.

Too many of our youngsters today think of the civil rights movement to be the stuff of which stories are told. For them, the movement belongs in history books and is as fantasy-based as Snow White and the Dwarfs, with their varied names. It needs to be made alive for them so that they can come to realize that the civil rights movement is part of our everyday experience because it is  that struggles which continues for so many and which continues to develop a healthy tolerance for the variety that defines all humanity.

This is part of what the educational program we provide at our Jesuit Catholic university aims to do through campus ministry. To have students find God in all things and come to terms with their place in the universe so that they can positively impact their world.

Apply Here

Contact

For more information, visit the Thea Bowman AHANA and Intercultural Center, Maloney Hall Suite 455, or email bostoncollegejamaicamagis@gmail.com.

Learning Outcomes

  • To help students reflect critically and engage in the history by visiting the national monuments of the Civil Rights Movement
  • To examine the Civil Rights Movement through the lens of faith and justice in order to learn about the lives and be in solidarity with the people who have been socially, economically and or politically marginalized through historical racism
  • To help students understand who they are as individuals
  • To help students find God in all things so that based on this experience of seeing history firsthand they can positively impact their world, respective communities at Boston College and at home, in order to find ways to integrate and reflect critically on issues of faith, respect, and justice.
Majis Civil Rights Immersion Trip
Community Engagement and Research Advocacy Course

Community Advocacy and Research Engagement Program

This is a two-semester program that offers leadership, research, and public policy training for students interested in working with Latino, Asian American, Native American, and/or African and African Diaspora communities in Massachusetts. In the Fall, students will participate in a seminar to study the process of community-based research and its methodologies, and begin to design a research proposal for an independent study with a faculty advisor for the Spring semester research project. The seminar will also include a Lecture Series where academic researchers and community professionals will discuss their current work and experiences on issues related to the four research-interest communities.

 

Program Highlights

  • Year-long research seminar, including research methods
  • Opportunity to conduct independent research under faculty guidance
  • Small classroom environment, personal support & guidance
  • Opportunity to present in public forums
  • 7 academic credits (may fulfill requirements for the Asian American studies concentration, African and African Diaspora studies program or Sociology)
  • Latino, Asian American, Native American, African & African Diaspora tracks
  • Designated for cultural diversity credit
     

Program Components

  • This is a two-semester program that offers leadership, research, and public policy training for students interested in working with African and/or African Diaspora, Asian, Latino, and Native American communities in Massachusetts.
  • In the Fall, students participate in a seminar to study the process of community-based research, its methodologies, and begin to design a research proposal for an independent study. 
  • The seminar will also include guest speakers where academic researchers and community professionals will discuss their current work and experiences on issues related to the community of their research interest. 
  • In the Spring, students will work with a faculty advisor on their independent research projects. They will also attend a seminar once a week with the course instructor.
     

View Past Community Research Program Abstracts

Learning Outcomes

As a result of participating in this program students will be able to: 

  • Gain an understanding of the uniqueness of community-based research in comparison to other forms of research
  • Build upon knowledge of the issues affecting communities of color and those organizations
  • Acquire methodological skills
  • Learn the important components in designing a research proposal and conducting a study
  • Be critical consumers and producers of knowledge
  • Gain a deeper understanding of ethical and methodological issues related to community-based research
  • Develop presentation skills

Eligibility Requirements

The program welcomes applications from students who meet the following criteria:

  • Interest in social justice issues, leadership development, community involvement and scholarship

To Apply

Interested applicants should submit the following materials: 

  • A completed application - apply here 
  • A current resume
  • A current unofficial transcript

If you have any questions about the Community Research Program please contact:

Tiffany Zheng, Assistant Director
Email: zhengti@bc.edu

 

Dialogues on Race

Dialogues on Race (DOR) is a peer-led discussion group on issues surrounding race, identity, and racial justice. The program consists of four weekly meetings and takes place in various residence areas around campus. DOR is a safe space for students of all races to explore and expand on their knowledge of their own racial identities, speak about current issues, and support one another in building a more inclusive BC community.  All students are encouraged to participate regardless of initial comfort, level of understanding, and/or previous experience with racial dialogue.  The DOR is always open!

How It Works

  • Students meet for 3 consecutive weeks,1.5 hours each week on the same night via Zoom.
  • Using articles, films, video, and their own experiences, participants discuss and reflect on issues related to race.
  • Session themes include: race at BC, their identity and how it shapes them, institutional racism, race in the media, and more.
  • All sessions are peer facilitated by Bowman Advocates for Inclusive Culture.

 

What Students Are Saying

“I’ve learned that it’s very important to share your experiences in order to connect with others and work to ease racial tensions.”

“My favorite aspect of this program was that I could discuss topics about race outside of a classroom environment with people who were as equally interested as I was.”

“What I really loved about DOR was talking to people from different racial backgrounds than me and just learning about their experience at BC. It is so refreshing to learn about other people’s lives and to examine firsthand what life in BC (or America!) is like for those who aren’t in the racial majority.”

“It is important to learn about different experiences because it forces people to be more analytical and critical of the systems of power that may not always be directly present in their lives. Also, just knowing about other cultures in general makes for a more well-rounded and educated person who can try then to understand a variety of perspectives.”

This year's discussion topics include:

  • Race and Education
  • Race and Healthcare
  • Race and Film- Race, the Music Industry, and Theatre
  • Race and Social Media
  • Race and Sports
  • Race and the Criminal Justice System
  • Race, Fashion, and Beauty Standards


Learning Outcomes

As a result of participating in Dialogues on Race, students  will be able to:

  • articulate how others' racial identities may affect their experiences in society
  • define institutional racism and explain how it impacts society.
  • identify the relationship between past inequalities' and current social structures and conditions
  • show a willingness to be open to new and challenging perspectives
     

Sign Up Here Today!  (Deadline to sign up is Saturday, February 26)

Contact Us

Sara Sparks, Graduate Assistant, sara.sparks@bc.edu

 

Ethnic Heritage Months

BAIC collaborates with student organizations and academic and student affairs departments to celebrate the contributions of AHANA communities.   Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 through October 15; Native American Heritage Month is in November; Black History Month is in February and Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is celebrated in April. 

Ethnic Heritage Months

Football Tailgates

Before each home football game, BAIC hosts a tailgate with music, burgers, hot dogs, and various ethnic foods! We collaborate with different clubs and campus partners to provide a space for everyone to have some fun!

AHANA tailgates

Racial Identity Development Experience (RIDE)

What is the RIDE?

The Racial Identity Development Experience (R.I.D.E), a weekend retreat that provides a safe space for undergraduate students to consider and discuss experiences of race and identity. On this retreat, participants will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue, reflect on their own personal experiences, and learn from other students. 

The impact of the RIDE cannot be overstated, and is probably best expressed by past R.I.D.E participants. In post-evaluation surveys, participants have described the retreat as “an amazing, formative experience that taught me how far I have come and how far I have to go,” “a life-changing experience” “I finally feel like I belong,” “surpassed my expectations because I learned so much more than I ever could have anticipated,” and “the highlight of my BC career so far!”

Although the RIDE retreat is only limited to one weekend, the RIDE experience lasts throughout the year. Participants can sign up for the “Conversations Partner” program second semester, which pairs RIDE participants with graduate students mentors to continue discussions about race and identity. Additionally, this year the BAIC will launch RIDE 2.0: Intersecting Identities. RIDE 2.0 consists of three events where participants will further explore how race informs other aspects of their identity, such as gender, socioeconomic class, and sexuality. More information about the intersectionality series will be posted in January!

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Application Deadline is Sunday, December 1. 

Register Now!

 

How can you help students learn more about the RIDE?

  • Invite us to pitch the retreat to your classroom or organization! We can keep our pitch as succinct as 1 minute or as detailed as 5 minutes, and allow time for question & answer.

  • Share our flyer and program description with your listservs!

  • Nominate students you know to lead or attend this retreat! To nominate a student, email ride@bc.edu. We will follow up with the student to let them know about the nomination and give them all of the information they need to know to apply and/or register.

For professors only: Offer extra credit for students who attend the retreat! If you identify with the mission of our office and/or the R.I.D.E retreat, or if the program may enhance your student’s learning experience inside the classroom, consider incentivizing the retreat with extra credit. If you do, please let us know so that we can confirm your students’ participation with you!

Learning Outcomes

As a result of participating in the RIDE, students will be able to:

  • Recognize how they have been socialized to see race and identify areas where racial differences have been reinforced 
  • Articulate awareness of own racial identity and express why
  • Demonstrate comfort-ability talking about race and identity
  • Develop one way to discuss racial identity in the future

Still have questions?

Send us an email at ride@bc.edu.

Spiritual Engagement & Outreach Initiatives

Vision

As a part of BAIC, we desire to promote the spiritual development of AHANA and multicultural students. We work to increase the awareness of spiritual diversity on campus by providing connections between multi-faith groups with students seeking to further their spiritual formation.
 

Spirituality, Faith, and Religion ... What's the Difference?

Spirituality: Broader concept that involves belief in a connection to something larger than ourselves, includes a search for meaning in life.

Faith: A Belief based on complete confidence or trust

Religion: Organized system of beliefs, views, and practices. 

Here at the BAIC’s SEOI, we want to be a resource for you. Students are encouraged to connect with us in order to have conversations about spirituality, interconnectedness, faith, justice, and everything in between in a safe, relaxed environment. Reach out and have a conversation! We can’t wait to meet you.
 

Additional Resources Can be found here

Student Faith Organizations

On Campus Worship Centers

Off- Campus Worship Centers
 

The Gift of Giving—Charity In Religion

Charity is a crucial building block in any society, and can go to support an endless variety of individuals, including the poor, homeless, orphans, refugees, and virtually every other marginalized population there is. Charity may be something tangible, such as food or clothes donations, monetary donations, or serving in a community. Most religions urge members to give from what they have been blessed with as a way of benefitting others as well as ourselves.

Buddhism:  Education is a guide, knowledge is key. (Buddha)

Christianity: A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge increases power. (Old Testament, Proverbs, 25:4)

Hinduism: As long as I live, so long do I learn. (Sri Ramakrishna)

Islam: Read! In the name of your Rabb (Cherisher and Substainer) who creatd man, out of a clot: Read! And your Lord is most bountiful who has taught (the use of) pen. He has taught man that which he knew not (Qur'an, 96:1-5)

Judaism: For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of who has it. (Old Testament, Ecclesiastes 7:12)

 

AHANA Send Off

The AHANA Send Off is an event that celebrates a great achievement in a students’ life—earning a college degree.  It also acknowledges and celebrates the culture of our students of color. All graduating students of color are invited to participate in this event. This event takes place the Saturday prior to Commencement. Graduates receive a complimentary dinner and special stole at the event plus more surprises! 

AHANA Send Off

Senior Toast

Following Commencement ceremonies, the BAIC hosts a toast to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduating seniors with food and company!

AHANA Senior Toast

Program Description

To create a strong community among undergraduate AHANA women at Boston College and provide opportunities for them to develop intellectually, spritually and socially.

Learning Outcome

  1. Establish a sense of community and create/strengthen support networks of peers and mentors.
  2. Develop Strategies for navigating a PWI as women of color.
  3. Strengthen academic and leadership skills and personal and professional development.

 

The AHANA Male Leadership Program

The AHANA Male Leadership Program (AMLP) provides support for freshmen and sophomore students by strengthening their academic & leadership skills, personal & professional development, and nurturing character enrichment. The purpose of AMLP is to develop and utilize leadership, communication and networking skills that engages and prepares AHANA men to emerge into tomorrow's men of competence, excellence, compassion, and social justice leaders.

Learning/Operational Outcomes:

  • Strengthen academic and leadership skills;
  •  Life skills. Students will develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their role in society;
  • Team build, foster community and create/strengthen support networks of peers and mentors;
  •  Interpersonal Competence.

Students will learn to practice team leadership through active group participation. Students will examine their own and others' intrinsic and extrinsic motivations as leaders.

The contact person for this program is Richard Mapeza at mapeza@bc.edu.

Male Leadership Program