Messina College deanship endowed
The Messina College dean’s position at Boston College will be named the Patti and Jonathan Kraft Family Deanship, thanks to a gift from University Trustee Patti Kraft and her husband, Jonathan Kraft, P’24.
Erick Berrelleza, S.J., the founding dean of the school, will be the first holder of the deanship.
Jonathan and Patti Kraft.
The Krafts, whose son graduated from Boston College in 2024, said they were pleased to make the endowed gift in recognition both of Messina College’s success in providing educational opportunities to first-generation students, and the University’s ongoing commitment to formative education.
"Since we joined the Boston College community as parents, we have been incredibly impressed by the formative education that the University offers all Eagles, and now extends to the students of Messina College,” said Patti and Jonathan Kraft.
“Equity of opportunity ranks highly among our priorities, and our family is honored to support this mission that we so strongly believe in. Endowing this position is our way of demonstrating that belief."
The Krafts’ gift supports Boston College’s Soaring Higher campaign, of which they serve as co-chairs. The campaign seeks to raise critical funding for strategic priorities in financial aid, academics, and student life. To date, $1.9 billion has been raised towards the campaign’s $3 billion goal.
The gift qualifies for an additional $2 million challenge grant provided by an anonymous donor to inspire new investments in the University’s scholarly enterprise. The challenge fund has already garnered more than 40 new faculty endowments, including deanships, professorships, and faculty support funds.
Erick Berrelleza, S.J. (Caitlin Cunningham)
Fr. Berrelleza said he was grateful to be named the inaugural Kraft Family Dean and to lead a school that has the full support of the University, and its trustees and parents like Patti and Jonathan Kraft.
“I am honored to continue the mission-driven work of supporting students who are the first in their families to attend college as the inaugural Kraft Family Dean of Messina College," said Fr. Berrelleza. “Patti and Jonathan believe in the transformative power of a Jesuit education and their commitment ensures that more students have the opportunity to thrive at Boston College in this fully residential two-year college. As Messina continues to grow, I am grateful to have the Krafts alongside as partners in our mission.”
David Quigley, the Robert L. and Judith T. Winston Provost and Dean of Faculties, praised the Krafts for their generosity and unwavering support of Messina College, which now serves more than 200 students on the 50-acre Brookline Campus of Boston College.
"Patti and Jonathan Kraft have made a resounding statement of support for Messina College and its life-changing mission,” said Quigley. “The Krafts were among the first members of the Boston College community to rally around our newest school, and they have forged a powerful relationship with the inaugural dean, Fr. Erick Berrelleza. The Kraft deanship is a signature success of the Soaring Higher campaign and will support Messina's leaders—and students—for generations to come."
Opened in 2024 as part of the University’s $100 million Pine Manor Institute for Student Success initiative, Messina College is a two-year, residential associate's degree program for first-generation, high financial need students that features academic programs in applied data science, applied psychology and human development, general business, and health sciences.
Students from Messina College who maintain a 3.4 cumulative grade
point average are eligible to transfer to Boston College as juniors to complete
a bachelor’s degree. Students are also eligible to transfer to other four-year
colleges and universities, including those with which BC has forged
articulation agreements, or to use their associate degrees to seek careers in their respective fields.
“Wherever our students go next and whatever they choose to do, they will benefit from the foundation of the world-class Jesuit education they received here at Messina College,” said Fr. Berrelleza. “Whether it is faculty at BC or our partner institutions or future employers, they will find Messina graduates who are reflective, hardworking, and prepared to tackle pressing issues. I am proud of our students and very enthusiastic about their future.”