Q & A with Dr. Corey Kelly, Vice President for Student Affairs

As a Boston College alumna and former Dean of Students, how does your deep familiarity with the Heights shape your vision as Vice President for Student Affairs? 

Throughout my last 15 years at BC, I’ve had the privilege of working with students in many capacities—from teaching a senior capstone course to providing crisis care during the hardest moment in a student’s life. The care and nurturing I’ve received, both personally and professionally, have deeply shaped the leader I am and my understanding of who our students are, what they need, and how to work collaboratively across campus to support their formation as individuals. I bring a background in social work and my own Jesuit education from BC to the holistic care of our students and the excellent work of our division.

What initiatives are you most excited to lead this year? How will these initiatives shape the daily student experience this year? 

It’s hard to choose! I particularly look forward to engaging with students during BCaring Week and the Christmas Tree Lighting, in addition to Mile 21 and Showdown in the spring semester. These celebratory events bring the Boston College community together in very special ways. You have taught and written extensively on restorative practices.

How do you plan to bring those principles into building campus communities and supporting students through challenges?

Restorative Practices are a set of tools used to help navigate disagreements and build community by focusing on listening, understanding, and problem-solving, rather than blame or punishment. Encouraging students to have these kinds of conversations with each other is key to building a connected community of care. It’s important that students can have challenging conversations and navigate conflict through understanding, expression of needs and feelings, true listening, and empathy.  Whether our team is facilitating these conversations or building out a framework for students to initiate them on their own, I am hopeful that Restorative Practices will help students feel more a part of our BC community.

How can I best support my students this school year, and what key resources should I connect them with? 

Often the best support is to offer the space to listen to whatever is top of mind for your student, reminding them that going through challenges is part of the growth and formation process. Student Affairs has many resources for when more support is needed. For example, for students who could use a peer conversation about managing time or sleep, our Wellness Coaches are a great place to start. Students who are having a difficult time with an immediate issue and would like to talk with a clinician can access our same-day appointments through the Murray Center of Student Wellness University Counseling Services. Our Dean of Students Office is here for students who are worried about a friend, navigating issues in multiple parts of their BC experience, or are unsure where to turn for support. Most importantly, students should know that they can always reach out to any resource on campus for guidance and support. 

If you could give one piece of advice to a student starting this semester, what would it be—and what BC tradition are you most excited to experience in your new role? 

Take a few reasonable risks by showing up to something you typically would not attend, talking to someone in class you’ve never spoken to before, or exploring a new part of campus or Boston. Those experiences often lead to unexpected places. Commencement is always one of my favorite days of the year, and I am thrilled to celebrate our seniors this May in my new role for the first time.