Designed to Empower: Fostering Community for First-Generation Students at Messina College

Messina College, a newly developed two-year residential junior college run by Boston College, was created with an ambitious goal: to make quality higher education accessible to first-generation students from Boston and surrounding communities. This mission of access and empowerment is embedded into the very structure and design of Ashby Hall, the focal point of the Messina campus, underscoring Bergmeyer’s commitment to fostering supportive and inclusive educational environments.

"Messina College isn’t just another campus—it’s an opportunity," shares Rachel Lanzafame, Project Architect for Ashby Hall. Thoughtfully designed to meet the unique needs of first-generation students, Messina goes beyond academics to create a deep sense of belonging for those navigating uncharted academic territories.

Often the first in their families to attend college, these students may face unique challenges in transitioning to campus life, and Bergmeyer’s design choices address these needs holistically. “Messina is designed to feel integral to Boston College, and Messina’s leadership is committed to ensuring that all students feel like they belong,” Rachel emphasizes. To make this happen, the Bergmeyer team partnered with Boston College to design Ashby Hall as a community-focused environment, where students have easy access to essential resources and can build strong connections to their peers, faculty, and staff who will become their support system at Messina. Features like flexible study spaces in the Learning Commons, collaborative seating arrangements, and inviting communal areas encourage interaction, bridging the gap between students and faculty to help students feel supported beyond the classroom.

Rachel notes, “During the first week of classes, I saw some of these interactions first-hand and knew what we had all planned for was taking shape. Two students were chatting at lunch about their goals and hopes for the year, and a faculty member was talking in the hallway with a student about where they could find the resources they needed. Creating a common space for these unscheduled conversations to happen was the real intention—to build solid, familiar connections between members of the campus community. It is a residential campus by design. Ashby Hall is the place where students, faculty, and staff can share meals, and those incidental encounters are what fosters a sense of belonging.” The team’s emphasis on gathering spaces was intentional, and aimed at fostering casual, spontaneous interactions that make the academic environment feel approachable and accessible. “This sense of connection is critical for first-generation students who might not have the same resources at home,” Rachel adds.

Ashby Hall's design also reflects Boston College’s forward-thinking commitment to sustainability. "The all-electric kitchen—the first of its kind at Boston College—marks a bold step toward environmental responsibility, with the building fully prepped for future electric conversion," Rachel explains. This design element ensures that Messina College aligns with Boston College’s sustainability goals while creating a forward-looking campus that serves its students responsibly.

Beyond campus walls, Bergmeyer found ways to engage the surrounding community. To capture images of the project, Bergmeyer collaborated with the Brookline Teen Center, involving local teens as models in promotional materials. “Messina had just opened and most of the teens who participated hadn’t heard of it yet. During the photo shoot, they were able to experience a ‘day in the life’ of a Messina student. We’ve since connected one of the teens with the founding dean to discuss submitting an application,” Rachel recalls. This partnership not only highlighted the project’s mission but also provided these teens a first-hand glimpse of college life, underscoring Bergmeyer’s B Corp commitment to community impact and opportunity.

By designing to embed mentorship and support within these spaces, Bergmeyer reinforces a sense of community both on campus and beyond. Rachel shares, “The impact on students is deeply rewarding, and it aligns perfectly with our mission to support communities.”

In Messina College’s Ashby Hall, Bergmeyer has helped create more than a building—it’s a gateway for Boston’s first-generation students to step into a world of academic possibility, support, and belonging. This thoughtful design not only reflects Bergmeyer’s expertise in complex renovations but also its dedication to creating spaces that empower and uplift. For these students, Ashby Hall is more than a structure—it’s a symbol of opportunity, a testament to how intentional design can reshape educational landscapes and individual futures.