“Boston College became part of our family in ways we never imagined when our son decided to call the Heights ‘home,’” says Wayne Bloom, P’22, ’24, ’27. He and his wife, Veronica, have had three out of their four children attend BC: Callahan ’24 followed in the footsteps of her brother, Aidan ’22, and Molly ’27 is working toward a doctoral degree in the Connell School’s nurse anesthesia program. “Through each of our children’s journeys at Boston College, we have come to identify with the Jesuit, Catholic mission of the University on an even deeper level,” Wayne continues.

Their own journey with the University began during Aidan’s freshman year, when they joined BC’s Parent Leadership Council (PLC), a group of more than 600 families who provide annual philanthropic support to BC. As members, they hosted firstyear summer sendoff events for incoming students and their families, supported financial aid, and, most recently, served as PLC co-chairs.

Like the Blooms, many BC parents want deeper involvement with the Heights. When Tyler ’28, the son of Mina Takayanagi, enrolled at Boston College, Mina, too, looked for ways to meet other parents and get involved. Joining the PLC has not only connected her with a broad network of families, but also keeps her engaged with campus life through regular updates from University leaders on issues that shape the student experience.

Whether they arrive with long-standing ties to BC or none at all, parents consistently discover ways to contribute to and connect with the University and build bonds with each other. Some get their start at the Family Weekend tailgate. Others connect through a Facebook group, a conversation during move-in, or the monthly parent and family newsletter from the Office of Student Affairs. However it begins, becoming a BC parent isn’t just about sending a child to college. It’s about stepping into a community that values showing up, supporting one another, and living out the University’s mission—together.

Hands-On and All-In

Angela and Abe Riera, P’17, ’19, ’24, were longtime volunteers in their children’s schools before any of them had enrolled at Boston College. Joining the PLC was a natural extension. “Our kids loved that we were involved,” Angela says. “We stayed active in their lives, we knew what they were learning, and we understood the University’s values.”

Like the Rieras, many parents are drawn to the PLC because it mirrors their own instincts to stay engaged and present. “We— like many of the parents we’ve met—are a hands-on kind of people,” says Anne Wargo, P’24, whose husband, Keith ’90, is a BC alum. That hands-on spirit led the Wargos to support both academic and athletic programs and to offer career advice to students at a luncheon hosted by BC’s Winston Center for Leadership and Ethics. “If we can help in planning or moving something forward, we’ll roll up our sleeves and lend a hand to see it through,” she says.

Although they live 3,000 miles from the Heights, California residents and selfdescribed BC superfans Hillary Weingast and Jeff Hyman, P’28, have found ways to stay close to campus. “We’ve always been hockey fans, but we started watching BC games religiously once Sierra was admitted,” says Jeff. “Now we watch simultaneously with her and we message with her throughout.”

They’ve also attended nearly 20 inperson and virtual parent programs since 2024. For them, being involved is a way to stay connected to the University and to their only child’s college experience. “We’re really close with Sierra,” says Hillary. “We’re interested in how she’s doing, where she is, and what she’s experiencing.”

From Early Introductions to Lifelong Community

Orientation often marks the first step for parents, offering a glimpse of what life will look like for their son or daughter on campus. Move-in day soon follows, with its mix of anticipation and the inevitable goodbye hugs.

Yet what begins as a departure quickly opens the possibilities to new opportunities to connect—with other families and with BC. From Family Weekend traditions to online chats, parents create their own rhythms of connection at Boston College. For Lourdes and Jaime-Alberto Pardo, P’19, ’22, ’24, ’29, that takes the shape of fall pig roasts in the Mods, a Miami tradition brought to Chestnut Hill.

Moments like these show that being a BC parent is about more than watching your student’s journey unfold. It’s about finding your own place at the Heights. Because you belong here, too.