Boston College

The Annexstad Family Foundation (AFF) has sought out institutions that share the belief in the power of education to transform lives. Boston College has been a committed partner in this mission since the inception of the Leaders for Tomorrow Scholarship program. 

The Leaders for Tomorrow Scholarship program provides more than financial assistance; it cultivates leadership. Current scholars at Boston College exemplify this ideal. They are student leaders, peer mentors, advocates, and change-makers. Whether through student government, service initiatives, or taking advantage of study abroad opportunities, LFT scholars demonstrate their commitment to actualizing their potential on and off campus.  

 During the 2024-2025 academic year, there were seven Leaders for Tomorrow scholars, each actively shaping their campus communities while preparing for life after graduation. Between the program’s inception in 2012 and Boston College’s most recent Commencement ceremony in May 2025, 17 scholarship recipients have graduated from BC thanks to the Foundation’s support. Their accomplishments span various industries and communities.  

At Boston College, the Foundation’s work is further strengthened by student success initiatives like Montserrat, a holistic program that provides support services to first-generation and low-income students. With a deeply relational approach rooted in the Jesuit ideal of cura personalis, or care for the whole person, students are assigned advisors who provide academic mentorship, personal development, and career guidance., The Montserrat Office and its programs, which are designed to address opportunity gaps in the student experience, ensure that students have access to resources that provide a structured, supportive framework that makes a meaningful difference in students’ college journeys. 

This past academic year, many of the LFT scholars actively contributed to the Montserrat network. One of those students, Katie Hernandez ’26, is an example of someone who is looking to use her education far beyond her time as an undergraduate.   

Katie is studying history and political science with the goal of becoming an American History professor to continue and share her passion for education. In the fall of 2025, Katie will complete an Honors Thesis for BC’s History Department, where she is excited to participate in research and further explore the intersection of history and political science.  

Katie is the definition of driven. She is eager to make a difference in the classroom as a student and in the future as an academic. She shares, “The Annexstad Family Foundation has allowed me to not only feel at ease with my financial situation but has given me a sense of belonging and support that I didn’t know I needed. The transition to college was really challenging for me, but almost as soon as I arrived at BC, I was able to meet with representatives of the Foundation and fellow Annexstad scholars who all made me feel really welcome and were extremely supportive. Since then, every semester, I have met with either Elin or Maja, and they have been incredibly supportive of my journey and taken an interest in my life, studies, and future goals. My experience at BC would not have been the same without the Foundation, and I am incredibly grateful for their support and kindness.”  

As she enters her final year at Boston College, Katie says, “I think the most important thing for new Annexstad scholars is to create space for themselves within their institutions. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed with the transition into college and a new environment, but I think pushing myself to become involved on -campus allowed me to feel more comfortable and confident at BC. I also believe that it is just as important to create space for yourself within your classes, and push yourself to participate, even if it makes you uncomfortable.” 

The impact of the AFF-Boston College partnership is not confined to campus. As alumni carry their education into the world, they bring with them a deep sense of responsibility and a commitment to service. The ripple effects of their transformation are felt in boardrooms, classrooms, healthcare systems, and nonprofits—wherever they lead, they lift others with them. 

The Foundation's partnership with Boston College is a testament to the enduring belief that access to education changes everything. As the Annexstad Family Foundation marks this quarter-century milestone, it looks not only to its proud past but to a future shaped by the scholars who are building a better, more equitable world—one transformative step at a time.