BCNC Portrait: Julia O'Connell

Meet Julia! She has been an AmeriCorps member at BCNC. She works closely with the Adult Education department helping to manage the Adult Education student ambassadors.

As a Chinese adoptee who grew up in Brookline, MA, Julie has always been interested in issues surrounding Asians and Asian Americans. She graduated from Connecticut College where she studied Sociology and East Asian Studies, with a focus on Asian American identity and empowerment through a sociological lens.

After college, she wanted to gain experience in the non-profit sector while still being able to focus on issues within the Asian community. She was excited that the New American Integration Program (NAIP) of AmeriCorps would provide her with training and experience in a non-profit organization. She was especially interested in the BCNC AmeriCorps position as their mission of supporting Asians and the wider population of immigrants aligned well with her interests.

“I learned a lot about how empowering education is for adult learners. It has been wonderful seeing the students I serve become citizens, find a new job, and even feel more confident to speak in class. While adults have a lot of life experience, especially those who have immigrated to a new country and learned a new language, there is still so much more we can learn in life. It is so important that organizations like BCNC can offer so much support to adult learners. I found that being an AmeriCorps member and working with BCNC students has even guided my own path. Seeing students thrive at BCNC has inspired me a lot, and I plan to continue working in the non-profit sector working with adult learners,” shared Julia.