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Boston College Chronicle January 19, 2023

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PUBLISHED BY THE BOSTON COLLEGE OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS

INSIDE 2 Around Campus

50 years of the BC Fact Book; Lowell Humanities Series, Robsham events coming up.

3 Council for Women of BC Leadership changes on the horizon for CWBC as it begins third decade.

8 “Landscape of Memory”

New McMullen exhibition set to open this month.

BC Names Davidson as Senior VP for University Advancement BY JACK DUNN ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS

Boston College has named Andrew Davidson, vice president for development at Dartmouth College, as senior vice president for university advancement, effective March 1. A proven and highly respected fundraiser who brings more than 20 years of advancement experience in leadership roles at Dartmouth and Harvard University, Davidson has managed Dartmouth’s central fundraising programs since 2014, including the Dartmouth College Fund, gift planning, major gifts, corporate and foundation relations, and donor relations and research.

“We open the door to these students, but when they step through that door, it’s up to them to work through what they find using the skills we’ve taught them.”

—Thomas Crea

A Wide World for BCSSW Global Practice Cohort BY SEAN SMITH CHRONICLE EDITOR

As Boston College formally began the 2023 spring semester this week, 25 BC School of Social Work students were already well into the next phase of their education. Working in locations as far away as the Philippines, Uganda, Cambodia, and Lebanon as well as in the United States, the BCSSW students are involved in a range of tasks, some providing counseling and case management support to survivors of gender-based violence, or developing and implementing programming for newly arrived refugees. Others are establishing monitoring and evaluation protocols for mental health and psychosocial support programming, or researching and advocating global migration policies and peace theory and praxis. The 25 form the largest cohort in the 17-year history of BCSSW’s Global Practice program, which prepares students for the fields of global social work, humanitarian aid, and international development. Global Practice focuses on addressing com-

JANUARY 19, 2023 VOL. 30 NO. 8

plex social issues that go beyond national boundaries and affect many populations, blending social work praxis with the principles of human rights, human security, human development, and the promotion of sustainable solutions to social problems. Students in the program go on a field placement for their final semester, working domestically or internationally with one of BCSSW’s intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizational partners such as Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), Catholic Relief Services, International Catholic Migration Commission, International Rescue Committee, Lighthouse Relief, Solid Minds, FXB India Suraksha, and PTI Cebu. BCSSW administrators say the Global Practice field placement serves as a proving ground for students’ professional, academic, and personal formation—an opportunity to not only put theory, instruction, and values into action under the tutelage of experienced professionals, but test their ability to adapt to unfamiliar environments and cultural perspectives. “Students learn more about themselves

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Andrew Davidson will join the University effective March 1. photo by lee pellegrini

He also worked with a portfolio of principal gift prospects, and served as a member of the Advancement Senior Leadership Team that led the planning and execution of Dartmouth’s $3 billion “Call to Lead” capital campaign. In his new role at Boston College, Davidson will direct all fundraising, alumni engagement, and operations of the University’s advancement division. He succeeds Vice President for Development Amy Yancey, who has served as interim senior vice president since the fall. University President William P. Leahy, S.J., praised Davidson as an accomplished professional with the experience and vision needed to guide Boston College’s advance-

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Q&A

‘Caring for the Whole Person’ This semester, the Boston College Center for Student Wellness is offering a range of new services and events to help BC students live balanced lives, with a particular focus on mental health support. Jeannine Kremer (right), who became the center’s full-time director last March, shared her thoughts with John Shakespear, a senior digital content writer in the Office of University Communications, on the role of wellness on campus and the resources that her team offers to all BC students. Q: What is your vision for the Center for Student Wellness? Kremer: I love doing this work at Boston College, because the Jesuit values really guide our mission. Here in our office, we talk about wellness in terms of mind, body, and soul. These three words seem to resonate with our students. Our vision is about caring for the whole person and developing that whole person in relation to the common good. In practice, that vision looks like daily collaboration. Our staff and our 26 peer wellness coaches—who are all BC students themselves—partner with faculty and staff to make meaningful connections with students. The goal is to give them opportunities to reflect on their personal wellness so they can develop concrete skills and make healthy decisions that will hopefully last far

photo by lee pellegrini

beyond their four years here at BC. Our approach is also rooted in prevention. Sometimes people think, “I should only have a coaching appointment when something is wrong.” And that’s really not the case. We hope the array of programs and coaching sessions we offer will give students the time and space to invest in themselves, define their wellness goals, learn new skills to manage stress, explore new ways of moving, and find a sense of belonging in the BC community. Ultimately, our goal is to create a culture of wellness across this campus, so it’s part of daily life.

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