Congers Resident Jessica Seminelli Graduates Phi Beta Kappa from Boston College; Accepted To "Teach For America" Program

Jessica Seminelli of Congers has graduated summa cum laude from Boston College with a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and Slavic Studies.

Seminelli was initiated into Phi Beta Kappa, the most prestigious academic honor society in the United States. She was also a recipient of Boston College’s Thomas I. Gasson, S.J. Award, given to a graduating senior with a distinguished academic record over a four-year period. Her paper “Language and Identity” was published in The Birch, Columbia University’s journal of Eastern European and Eurasian culture.

While a student at BC, Seminelli won an Advanced Study Grant from the University to support study at the Linguistic Society of America’s Summer Institute at the University of California-Berkeley. She volunteered at BC’s Neighborhood Center where she led adult ESL classes for Boston-area residents.

Seminelli was a member of the University's prestigious Presidential Scholars Program, which each year brings a select group of young men and women of outstanding talent and character to Boston College to embark on an integrated honors educational experience designed to embody the best of the University and its Jesuit heritage of educational excellence in service to society.

During the academic year, BC Presidential Scholars study an honors curriculum, interact with eminent guests through a special speaker series and take advantage of a variety of other workshops and enrichment opportunities intended to nurture their development into the nation's future leaders. Each summer, the Scholars are challenged by special programs focusing on community service, international experience and professional internships.

Seminelli plans to be a third grade teacher for Teach For America – New York City Corps at Exceed Charter School.

Boston College was founded in 1863 by the Society of Jesus - the first institution of higher education in the city of Boston. Today, it is one of the foremost universities in the nation, with a co-educational enrollment of some 14,600 undergraduate and graduate students. Boston College has drawn students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. It is among the nation's most selective universities, with more than 34,000 applications received for its 2,250-member freshman class this year.