Emma Fiesinger '25

Higher Education, Student Affairs Concentration

A lot of what we learn in the lecture hall can be applied to our assistantships, and vice versa. It helps me better understand higher education theories and gives me a real-life way to use them.

What piece of advice would you offer to incoming students in your program?

I would recommend that students focus on the tangible. Grad school was the first time that I was really living independently and earning my own money, and that can be stressful at times. I tried to focus on what made me happy (seeing my friends, exploring the city), and that made the transition a lot smoother!

What is your favorite thing about the Lynch School?

My favorite thing about the Lynch School, other than the great community I've found here, is the emphasis on practical experience and classroom learning. A lot of what we learn in the lecture hall can be applied to our assistantships, and vice versa. It helps me better understand higher education theories and gives me a real-life way to use them.

Kerri Johnson '25

Higher Education, Student Affairs Concentration

All of my professors deeply care about us as students, but also as individuals. I have become very friendly with my professors and can go to them for help on coursework, but also career advice.

What is your favorite thing about the Lynch School?

The small class sizes have allowed me to develop sincere relationships with my peers and get to know them on a personal level. Our professors are highly skilled individuals with great knowledge of the field of higher education. I feel like I am learning from the best of the best. My peers and the faculty have made the transition into graduate school seamless!

What is the most impactful course you have taken so far, and why?

The most impactful course I have taken thus far would be Student Affairs Administration with Professor De Veau. This course allowed me to better understand all the layers of higher education institutions, while looking at the ever-changing landscape of the field. Professor De Veau hosted panelists each week from various institutions in diverse roles to give us more exposure to the world of higher education and student affairs.

Suha Lim '25

Higher Education, Student Affairs Concentration

I love the mission of the Lynch School and that they focus on social justice and the development of the whole person. I knew I wasn't going to find education like that anywhere else.

What piece of advice would you offer to incoming students?

Keep an open mind! A lot of the classes you'll take will challenge you to approach your thinking, situations, or even grades differently. These classes can offer so much, but only if you are willing to put in the work. Even if it's different than what you're used to, keep an open mind and learn more!

What is the most impactful course you have taken so far, and why?

The most impactful course I've taken is Diversity in Higher Education. This class pushed me out of my comfort zone and got me thinking introspectively about my own values and beliefs. The professor, Andrés Castro Samayoa, created a safe, vulnerable space for my classmates to open up. In such a short amount of time, I felt closer to my classmates because of the class.

Menappe Kinkoue-Poufong '24

Higher Education

I would encourage incoming students to make meaningful connections with their peers and professors and to seek opportunities to put theory to practice. In addition to the classroom, a lot of my learning came from my assistantship and summer internship opportunities.

Why did you choose the Lynch School of Education & Human Development?

I initially chose to attend Boston College and the Lynch School for its proximity to the Center for International Higher Education. As I progressed in my studies, I discovered my interests in higher education were more domestic than global and was easily able to transition into the traditional Higher Education program.

What is the most impactful course you have taken so far, and why?

The most impactful course I've taken has been College Student Development. This class has provided me a solid foundation in student development theory that I can ground my future practice in higher education in.

Sean Richardson '22

Higher Education

Building community is a major part of my experience in this program. The relationships I have with my fellow classmates goes beyond that and even beyond future higher education professionals, but exists within us wanting to make the field of education more equitable for students. It is an honor and privilege to sit next to them in class.

What was your favorite class?

My favorite class in the Higher Education Program was the College Student Development course. Within this course I was able to understand the theories of student development while also critiquing these same models. I enjoyed the course content and going through it with my classmates.

Why does LSEHD work for you?

Within the Higher Education program, there is this element of experiential learning. The education in tandem with our assistantships creates the perfect learning situation for myself. I am able to learn in the classroom and apply it to the different work I do in my assistantships across campus.