WorldBoston Welcomes BHCC Students as Green Room Scholars
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
WorldBoston welcomed Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) students Lee An Reth and Cristian Mazariegos as Green Room Scholars for their event, Chat & Chowder, featuring former British Foreign Service Officer Paul Knott. The program highlighted the professional and personal challenges of diplomatic life — navigating unfamiliar environments, building trust across cultures, and managing the daily work of diplomacy that often goes unnoticed.
The Green Room Scholars, both current BHCC Business Transfer students, described the WorldBoston Chat & Chowder event as “an incredibly meaningful and enjoyable experience,” noting how welcomed they felt from the moment they arrived. Their evening began with an intimate pre-program conversation with WorldBoston CEO Joe Haynes and guest speaker Paul Knott, which they called “one of the highlights of the evening.” This smaller discussion provided a rare opportunity to ask questions about Knott’s international career and perspectives, creating “a comfortable space for discussion” that set a positive tone for the entire event. The students were also honored to be publicly recognized as Green Room Scholars during the main program, an acknowledgment that made them feel “appreciated and proud.”
Throughout the event, students interacted with attendees who shared their passion for global engagement while enjoying what they called “amazing” chowder that helped create a relaxed, conversational atmosphere. One highlight was Knott’s story of becoming a diplomat despite socioeconomic barriers—an experience the students described as “a testament of how being exposed to an opportunity can change a person’s trajectory.” By the event’s end, they had formed new connections, gained professional insights, and improved their communication skills. Grateful for the opportunity, they emphasized that future Chat & Chowder programs—“invaluable exposure to global conversations”—are experiences they hope more BHCC students will attend.
Lee An Reth is an international student from Cambodia and hopes to represent his country meaningfully someday. His goal for Fall 2026 is to transfer to a four-year college and major in economics.
Christian Mazariegos is a passionate, driven BHCC student with many future opportunities ahead. This year, he has been deeply engaged in both his academics and his community, serving in student government, supporting first-generation college students, and mentoring others on their educational journeys.