Roslindale resident named director at Boston College

Rossanna Contreras-Godfrey of Roslindale has been appointed director of Boston College’s Office of Learning to Learn.

The Office of Learning to Learn houses the Student Support Services and the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate programs, both federally funded. Learning to Learn seeks to support all Boston College students, particularly those who are first-generation, low-income or other underrepresented college students or those with a disability, while providing a nurturing environment where they can achieve their full potential.

Contreras-Godfrey began her Boston College career in 1997 when she joined Learning to Learn as assistant director. She taught Applications of Learning Theory and established one of Learning to Learn's signature programs, the College Transition Program, which brings a select group of students to campus for a two-week program the summer before freshman year to help them get acclimated to BC and the college environment.

From 2001-03, she worked at the University of Massachusetts Boston as director of GEAR UP, a program that helped prepare low-income high school and middle school students for success in college. She returned to BC Learning to Learn in 2003 as assistant director and then associate director of the McNair Program, creating programs and obtaining grant funding to help prepare low-income, first-generation, and other underrepresented students for pathways to doctoral programs and careers in research and academia.

"Rossanna has committed her entire career to college access and persistence for first-generation and low-income students," said Boston College Vice Provost for Undergraduate Academic Affairs Akua Sarr. "She is a highly experienced administrator, grant writer, and strategic thinker, and I'm thrilled that she has agreed to take on the important role of leading the Learning to Learn Office on a permanent basis."

"Learning to Learn is focused on the needs of many students, but especially the first-generation student," said Contreras-Godfrey. "We want to let students know we are here to help them and walk with them and support them.

"We are a very diverse office and when students come through our door I feel they can see someone who reflects them and that puts them at ease," she continued. "Our wonderful staff is very, very committed to helping students through their challenges, and celebrating their successes."

Contreras-Godfrey earned a bachelor's degree and doctorate in higher education administration from Boston College and holds a master's degree from Boston University.