The dinners took place in McGuinn Hall, home to the Boston College School of Social Work.
It was early February, and Victoria Tucker, BA鈥�12, MSW鈥�13, was discussing supervision with a small group of students around a dinner table in 521 McGuinn Hall.聽
Tucker, a social worker who specializes in foster care and adoption, advised the students to keep a running list of topics to discuss with their supervisors as they arise during the week, rank them by importance, and cover the top priorities first in each meeting.
鈥淚t was really nice because it felt like we could just focus on the here and now and what was happening versus preparing for the future when they graduate,鈥� said Tucker.聽
The dinner鈥攐ne of two gatherings that grew out of a conversation between members of the Alumni Board and Teresa Schirmer, associate dean of student experience鈥攎arked the latest event in Boston College School of Social Work鈥檚 Accompaniment in Action initiative, which seeks to foster a model of education built on listening, kinship, and mutual transformation.
Unlike a formal networking event, the evening invited students and alumni to gather in small, informal groups to ask real questions, hear honest stories, and build relationships that support their future goals.聽
Kaitlyn Gatza, MSW鈥�26, said the informal setting reinforced one of the pillars of accompaniment: kinship and shared dignity.聽
鈥淲ithin 20 minutes of the event, people鈥檚 willingness to be vulnerable and share pieces of themselves gave me space to share my own experiences,鈥� said Gatza, who studies in the Global Practice program. 鈥淭hat mutual vulnerability felt radical.鈥�
As the house manager for a residential community for undergrads committed to long-term sobriety, she connected with an alumnus who has also worked extensively with people in recovery.聽
鈥淲e bonded over our shared experiences in recovery communities,鈥� she said, 鈥渄iscussing both the value of different programs and the tensions between institutional constraints, stakeholder expectations, and community needs.鈥�
Like Gatza, student Xiomara聽Mu帽oz connected with an alumnus who shared a story that made her feel seen and understood. As a working mom with another child on the way,聽Mu帽oz resonated with the grad鈥檚 reflections on balancing parenting with a career in social work.
鈥淚 remember one of the alumni talking about her experience as a mom and social worker,鈥� said Mu帽oz, MSW鈥�27, who studies in the Children, Youth, and Families field of practice, 鈥渁nd I resonated with what she shared about how challenging and rewarding it has been for her.鈥�
She drew inspiration from the alumni, who reminded her that challenges are surmountable and that a supportive network can help her balance the demands of school, work, and life.
As she put it: 鈥淚 think the biggest takeaway was to remember how so many other students have gone on this path before us and made it through balancing life and work and everything in between. It was very encouraging.鈥澛�
The conversations highlighted how accompaniment strengthens the culture of learning at 香蕉秀SSW, cultivating collaboration, empathy, and professional development across generations of students and alumni.
Tucker is a prime example of accompaniment in action. Her roots in social work date back to 2009, during her freshman year at 香蕉秀, when her academic adviser suggested she find a summer job in the helping profession. Now, as a member of the Alumni Board and a volunteer mock interviewer, she mentors students navigating their career paths.聽聽
At the dinner, she drew on her soft skills鈥攕howing up, listening, and learning from students鈥攖o share practical wisdom from more than a decade in the helping profession.聽
鈥淚 love connecting with students and felt we could have really open conversations,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he students were very engaged and asked great questions.鈥�
