Graduate Student Senate and Student Organizations
The chief political organ for graduate students at Boston College is the Graduate Student Senate (GSS). Our Senate comprises representatives from (a) the Carroll Graduate School of Management, the Connell Graduate School of Nursing, the Lynch Graduate School of Education, the Graduate School of the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Social Work, and the School of Theology & Ministry, and from (b) the GSA’s three affinity groups: the Graduate Students of Color Association; the Graduate Pride Alliance; and the Graduate International Students Association. Together, the Senate cooperates on projects relevant to broad sections of the Graduate Student community, in addition to advocating for initiatives put forward by, or on behalf of, the Graduate Student body.
Any graduate student enrolled at BC is able to attend a senate meeting. Moreover, if any graduate student has a statement to make the Senate, that individual is entitled to a hearing by the Senate to be followed by a written response by the Executive Director of the Senate within two weeks.
If you have a question, concern, or suggestion for the Graduate Student Senate please fill out the below form.
Dewin Hernandez, Executive Director
He/Him/His
Dewin is third-year full-time MSW/MBA candidate at the Caroll School of Management and Boston College School of Social Work (BCSSW), where he is part of the Latinx Leadership Initiative (LLI_ education cohort. Dewin completed his undergraduate studies at Berklee College of Music, where he received a Bachelor of Music studying Music Business and Educaiton. As part of his musical training, Dewin studied under distinguished faculty at Berklee and Philippos Nakas Conservatory in Athens, Greece. His clinical practice and focus are at the intersection of the Latinx and LGBTQ+ experience. An alumnus of the Harvard Rappaport Public Policy fellowship and New Leaders Council, Dewin aims to apply all of the skills reaped through his experiences as Director of the Graduat Student Association. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Dewin proudly represents his hometown of Lawrence, MA. He enjoys live music, cooking new recipes, and participating in challenging obstacle course races.
Marquise Griffin, Director of Programming
He/Him/His
Marquise is a 1st year masters student in the Graduate School of the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, working towards a M.A. in English. He earned a BA in English Literary and Cultural Studies in 2015 from Kalamazoo College in Michigan. Then he attended the University of Missouri where he earned a M.Ed in Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis. After he graduated in 2017 he spent a year in Chicago mentoring elementary and middle school students in leadership development. Marquise returned to his hometown of St. Louis to serve a year in AmeriCorps where he taught and mentored high school students in college access. He is enthusiastic about creating community and empowering spaces of belonging and is thrilled to use his position as the Director of Programming to do this for graduate students. Marquise enjoys reading comics, watching superhero shows and movies, and parkour. He is a loyal St. Louis Cardinals fan but will clap politely for the Red Sox.
Sonia Kwak, Director of Finance
She/her/hers
Sonia Kwak is a fifth year student in the Lynch school of Education, Pursuing a Master's in Higher Education with a concentration nin Student Affairs. Sonia hopes to be a positive influence on the field of higher education and encourage the holistic growth of students. She wants to be a supportive resource to the people she will serve in the future and in her current role as Director of Finance at GST. Prior to her graduate program, she recieived a BA in Applied Psychology and Human Development at Boston College. During this time, she gained a passion for service Students of color, embracing various identities, and appreciating different cultures. She is also interested in community-building/engagement, sustainable living, and DIY projects.
Stephen Surh
Biography coming!
Jolene McGlynn
She/Her/Hers
Jolene is a second year masters student in the Lynch School of Education obtaining her degree in Mental Health Counseling with a Certificate in Child & Family Mental Health. She graduated with a B.S. in Kinesiology and a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She is the president of the GEA for the 2020-2021 school year and served on the social committee for the previous year. Jolene was born and raised right outside of Boston and grew up attending BC football games. She has a passion for helping families, children, adolescents and those suffering from addiction.
Frank McCarthy
He/Him/His
Frank McCarthy is a full-time MBA student within the graduate Carroll School of Management. Prior to starting hims MBA, Frank served in the U.S. Army for four years as an active duty Infantry Officer. Frank is passionate about public service and he looks forward to working with the Senate to better our collegiate community.
Eva Butten
She/her/hers
Eva is a full-time second year clinical MSW student with a specialized field of practice in Latinx Communities. She is also part of the Latinx Leadership Initiative, a program that equips social work leaders to serve Latinx communities and provide sustainable services. Eva is also a part of the governing body, sher serves as the executive coordinator for the BCSSW student collective, a student representative organization that enhances the students' experience She is also a co-leader in the Equity Justice and Inclusion Student Lead group, and the Empowered to Empower group serving as a liaison between students and deans. Prior to attending BC for the MSW, she attended Suffolk University where she majored in public policy and legal studies. Currently, she is interning at Youth Connect, an advocacy and intervention program that partners with the Boston Police Department to help high-risk youth and families achieve their goals and live healthier lives.
Charles Codner
He/His/Him
Charles Codner is a second year MSW student with a concentration in Health at the Boston College School of Social Work. Charles is originally from Jamaica where he obtained a teaching diploma, then a Bachelor Degree in psychology at Assumption University. Charles has worked in the mental health field for over five years, and currently employed as a Director for a communiy congregate care facility. Charles enjoys going to the beach, hiking, cooking and traveling.
Jason L. Madden
He/His/Him
Jason L. Madden (Jai) is a second year student in the Boston College School of Social Work part-time masters program. He is currently employed full-time at the Department of Children and Families as an Ongoing Social Worker; he sits on several committees including diversity leadership training and trauma informed leadership team. Jai is from Jamaica and while living there he worked as a youth advocate with whom many of his clients were LGBTQ+ youths.
The last ten years of his life he has dedicated to working with individuals in the health sector, educational setting, human services and mental health clinics focusing on; women's issues, HIV/AIDS, LGBTQ, behavioral health, mental health and children and families. Jai has been working to promote more social justice through the works he cosed to indulge in. He has extensive training in treating childhood trauma and post-traumatic Stress Disorder which includes TF-CBT and ARC, both evidence-based treatment modalities. Jai loves all things queer from pride celebrations to Sunday drag brunch. He also enjoys going on hikes and being in nature.
Ilse Bellido Richards
She/Her
She is a secon-year MA student in the International Higher Education program. Currently works in two graduate assistantships, one for OISS, Office of International Students and another for Learning to Learn - Trio office. She was born and raised in Columbia, moved to the United States about 10 years ago. Passionate about traveling, art and education.
Kelly Sankowski
She/Her/Hers
Kelly Sankowski is serving as the Representative for Events and Funding for the School of Theology and Ministry's Student Forum this year. She is originally from the Washington D.C. area where she worked as a reporter for the Catholic Standard newspaper prior to moving to Boston. She received her undergraduate degree in English and Religious Studies from the University of Virginia and has a deep love for the Blue Ridge Mountains, vineyards and ice cream.
Violeta Epstein
She/Her/Hers
Violeta is a direct masters entry student on the adult gerontolgy track. She was born in Buenos Aires Argentina but is a lifelong New Yorker. Previous to coming to BC, Violeta taught Spanish and coordinated community service for an elementary school in NYC. She holds a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and an MA from NYU. Violeta enjoys film, travel, and hnging out with her five children and husband.
Matthew Ebbertt
He/Him/His
Matthew Ebbertt is a dual Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Finance candidate in the class of 2021. He is an experienced, diverse, and globally engaged leader with over 17 years of service in the U.S. Army, both enlisted and as a commissioned officer.
Takia Myers
Takia Myers is a second year MSW student with a concentration of Mental Health at the Boston College School of Social Work and the Executive Coordinator of the SSW Student Collective Leadership Council. Born and raised in the Roxbury and Dorchester areas of Boston, MA, Takia is passionate about overall well-being, particularly within urban communities, and specifically through serving Black girls and Black Womxn. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts Boston with a Bachelor of Science as a double major in Business Management and Womxn’s & Gender Studies. In her role as the Executive Coordinator, Takia is prepared to ensure a more equitable campus community is achieved through social justice efforts, collaborative advocacy for marginalized identities, and through creating spaces that truly welcomes and nurtures all those who face daily oppression. At the end of the day, when Takia removes her phenomenal femme outerwear, she enjoys turning up with her family and friends, shopping in local small businesses and boutiques, smelling scented candles, and engaging in several other activities of self-care routinely!
The Graduate Pride Alliance
The Graduate Pride Alliance (GPA) provides community, support, and fellowship for LGBTQ students and their allies. The Graduate Pride Alliance organizes social, educational, and advocacy events for the Boston College students. GPA sponsored Boston College’s inaugural Lavender Graduation in 2013 and the University’s first march Boston Pride Parade in partnership with the Rainbow Alliance. The GPA launched Boston College’s Safe Zone Program in 2014.
You can learn more about the GPA through our Constitution.
Connect with Us
Like us on Facebook and sign up for our listserv.
President: Jason Madden
Treasurer: Benjamin Bavly
Resources for LGBTQ Students at BC
The Office of the Dean of Students offers a website listing resources for students who identify as LGBTQ or who have questions arising from their sexual or gender identity. These resources are available in a printable format here. You can also obtain a printed copy of this resource brochure at the Murray Graduate Student Center.
Graduate Students of Color Association
Leadership Team
Chair: Charles Codner
Treasurer: Lisa Chen
Mission Statement
The framework for Graduate Students of Color Association celebrates, supports, and engages the students at Boston College who come from various racial and ethnic minority backgrounds.
We’ve summarized what we’re about in these three pillars: Identity, Advocacy, and Community. But, remember, this is just a framework. In order to fill it out and to be the best organization we can be, we need you! Get involved!
Identity
At BC, it’s not just our minds that are admitted here—no matter how brilliant ours might be. Our bodies are admitted here as well, bodies that have histories and identities, stories and treasures—embodied legacies of pain and triumph. Here at GSCA, we are convinced that a truly educational experience cannot be exclusive of or diminutive of our racial and ethnic self-understandings. That’s why we hope this group is a must-join for individuals who come to BC from backgrounds representing racial and ethnic identities that have been the occasions of societal short-sightedness, misunderstanding, and even hatred: African-Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, and Hispanic Americans. Moreover, enlivened by this core identity, GSCA hopes that all BC graduate students will join. After all, we are—all of us, really—persons of color. Bring yours.
Advocacy
Our campus—like our world—is imperfect, and both continue to pose challenges based in race and ethnicity (to say nothing about the challenges based in gender, sexual orientation, ability, body type, and others that GSCA members confront as well). At GSCA, we contemplate justice; we advocate for policies and programs that bring awareness to issues that are happening in our communities of accountability; and we ask questions of as well as partner with campus organizations in order to make our world better. That is, after all, why we came to grad school. Be about it.
Community
We celebrate color! It means that we celebrate the traditions, insights, and—of course—recipes and art forms that have come to us as grateful descendants. It means that we celebrate each other; encourage each other; and try our best to help make the campus experience one that is as diverse and as inclusive as our Jesuit mission inspires us to be. So let’s eat together; let’s share open-mic nights together; let’s go to sporting events together; and let’s network together. Come around!
Membership
Membership is open to ALL graduates students at Boston College. Students of color and those from underrepresented backgrounds are especially encouraged to join. All members must abide by the constitution.
To learn more visit our Facebook page!
Graduate International Student Association
GISA is a student organization run by graduate international students at Boston College. Our mission is to provide educational, social and cultural opportunities to the graduate international student community at Boston College. In addition, we seek to promote and enhance positive interactions among American and International graduate students. We therefore organize and sponsor events that are open to and encourage all graduate students to take a break from their busy academic lives and have some fun while learning about each other's cultural heritages and our diverse world community.
Stay up-to-date with GISA
Join our listserv:
- Send an email to sympa@listserv.bc.edu from the address you want to subscribe to the list. Sympa is not a person but a mailing list management robot.
- In the subject line of your message, type in: subscribe gisa-bc FirstName LastName (replacing FirstName LastName with your information).
Past Event Highlights
- GISA Afternoon Tea
- Group Dinner and a Movie
- Blue Man Group Outing
- GISA Spring Party
- Wine Tasting Outing
- Opera Evening
- Resume & Cover Letter Writing Workshop
- Diwali Celebration
- GISA Mini-Cultural Nights (Featuring Boliva, Bulgaria, China, India, Pakistan, Rwanda, Turkey, etc.)
- "A Quick Look at Ramadan & Eid around the Muslim World" Mini-Cultural Night
- Graduate Student Group Tickets to the BC Football Game (co-sponsored with the GSA)
- GISA/GSA Holiday Party
About Us
IntEnt is a Boston College graduate student organization providing mentorship, experiential learning, and collaborative resources to BC graduate entrepreneurs. Our mission is to develop, train, support, and inspire a community of entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial leaders grounded by Jesuit principles and dedicated to putting good into the world. IntEnt was founded in 2017 and has over 500 registered members across all Boston College schools. We are an approved affinity club of the Graduate Student Association at Boston College.
What We Do
InTent offers workshops and programs that enable students to develop applicable business skills, gain educational mentorship, and attain access to networking resources beyond the BC curriculum. These offerings provide excellent occasions for students to apply their education, make an impact, and influence a growing Boston ecosystem.
Workshops
IntEnt provides graduate students several skill building workshops throughout the year to expand their abilities in different areas of innovation, entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, and leadership. All workshops are easily accessible online and recorded for on-demand access. Additionally, group-based workshops allow participants to network with other graduate students and apply skills learned.
Apprenticeship
The IntEnt Apprenticeship Program is a voluntary opportunity that pairs Boston College graduate students with local Boston organizations. Participants will have the ability to develop applicable business skills and gain educational mentorship, and are provided access to networking resources beyond the BC curriculum.
Incubator
The IntEnt Incubator Program provides Boston College graduate students the opportunity to build and hone a business idea from scratch. IntEnt will offer participants mentorship from subject matter experts and seasoned entrepreneurs throughout their program duration.
Accelerator
The IntEnt Accelerator Program provides Boston College graduate students and alumni the opportunity to learn how to grow and scale business operations in order for future investor funding. IntEnt will offer participants mentorship from subject matter experts and seasoned entrepreneurs throughout the program duration. IntEnt will also connect participants with potential investors for future seed funding.
Club Leadership
Ed Lallier, Co-Founder & Chairman
Zack Robbins, President
Click here to register your membership now or follow us on Facebook.
President: Matt Ebbertt
Treasurer: William Foshage
Archives
Senate Meeting Notes
2019-20
September Senate Meeting Notes (September 27, 2019)
October Senate Meeting Notes (October 25, 2019)
November Senate Meeting Notes (November 21, 2019)
February Senate Meeting Notes (February 27, 2020)
March Senate Meeting Notes (March 2020)
April Senate Meeting Notes (April 30, 2019)
September Senate Meeting Notes (September 25, 2020)
October Senate Meeting Notes (October 16, 2020)
November Senate Meeting Notes (November 20, 2020)
2018-19
September Senate Meeting Notes (September 20, 2018)
October Senate Meeting Notes (October 18, 2018)
November Senate Meeting Notes (November 15, 2018)
February Senate Meeting Notes (February 5, 2019)
March Senate Meeting Notes (March 12, 2019)
April Senate Meeting Notes (April 9, 2019)
2017-18
September Senate Meeting Notes (September 15, 2017)
October Senate Meeting Notes (October 13, 2017)
November Senate Meeting Notes (November 10, 2017)
February Senate Meeting Notes (February 2,2018)
March Senate Meeting Notes (March 16, 2018)
April Senate Meeting Notes (April 6, 2018)
2016-17
September Senate Meeting Notes (September 21, 2016)
October Senate Meeting Notes (October 19, 2016)
November Senate Meeting Notes (November 16, 2016)
February Senate Meeting Notes (February 2, 2017)