Inclusion & Advocacy

A Loras Community for All

Loras is committed to creating an environment where every member is beloved and accepted. Grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and guided by Catholic social teaching, the Loras community supports diversity, equity, and inclusion. It together creates a culture of mutual respect and understanding for one another. This is a shared vision and a shared responsibility inspired by the life of Jesus.

We are committed to providing an educational environment where all can discover who they are called to be. Through our shared values, our understanding of interconnectedness constantly evolves, and our commitment to justice and advocacy is unwavering.

As a Catholic institution, it is the shared responsibility of all members of the Loras community to foster these values through the creation of meaningful encounters that embrace the rich diversity of our global family.

Human Dignity

We believe all persons have equal, inherent dignity. At Loras, we affirm that all are created in the image of God, and each individual is treated as an equally valued part of our community.

Justice & Equity

We actively work toward the creation of a more just society. As neighbors in solidarity, we work for the equitable treatment of all persons. We understand that as long as any individual remains oppressed, we fall short of our own full human potential. We embrace the differences among and between our community members and acknowledge our human connection for the promotion of justice.

Community

We foster a welcoming and inclusive community where all members are encouraged to engage in mutual encounters and accompaniment. As an educational community, we believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are crucial to our mission of forming a community of active learners, reflective thinkers, ethical decision-makers and responsible contributors.

Center for Inclusion & Advocacy

Our mission is to support historically marginalized and underrepresented students by providing mentorship and programming that promotes inclusive, successful, competent, and transformative experiences for Loras students.

We are committed to celebrating identities and experiences and advocating for the betterment of God’s creation by supporting various student groups. These include international students, Black/African American students, Latinx/a/o students, LGBTQIA+queer-identifying students, and first-generation college students—the first in their families to earn a bachelor’s degree. Our center strives to support the identified communities in the following ways:

Black/African American

The Loras Black Student Union (BSU) has been actively promoting community, diverse leadership, cultural awareness, and advocating for the needs of our Loras students since 2016.

Over the years, the BSU has evolved and played a pivotal role in organizing a wide range of programs such as the Black Excellence Night Celebration in collaboration with our athletic department, Celebrate Africa, and the African American Museum and Soul food community. The BSU participates in a variety of regional conferences focused on Black/African American leadership, including Ebony Conferences.

Black Student Union Adviser
Assistant Director of Inclusion & Advocacy, Sharanā Baker ’19

First-Generation Students

We recognize and support our first-generation students and their families. We define first-generation college students as any student who will be the first in their family to earn a four-year degree from an American college institution.

Through the First-Generation Scholars program, we offer scholarships and strives to support you and your family through engagement, communication, and experiential opportunities. By creating a supportive infrastructure, the program aims to enhance your college experience through:

educational and career opportunities

  • peer mentorship
  • resume building
  • financial literacy
  • personal mentorship

First-Generation Scholars Advisor
Assistant Director of Inclusion & Advocacy, Sharanā Baker ’19

LGBTQIA+/ Queer

Students who belong to the Queer community, as well as individuals who want to learn more about sexuality and gender, can count on the center for being a support to you wherever you may be in your journey of learning or self-development.

Programming efforts include queer film nights, queer issue discussions, and LGBTQIA+/Queer alumni social events. We are home to the Alliance, our LGBTQIA+ student organization.

Students who might be struggling with who they or need an ally, you can count on our center being a space where privacy is guaranteed and support (however it is needed and determined by the student) can be given.

Alliance Adviser
Director of Inclusion & Advocacy, Sergio Pérez

International/ F-1 Students

Loras is home to students from over twenty counties from around the world!

Our center helps students coming from abroad, as you transition and adjust to living and learning in the United States. We assist with obtaining all necessary documentation for VISA appointments, and provide a comprehensive orientation assisting you on a variety of needs including obtaining US bank accounts, phone service, food, initial transportation assistance when arriving to campus, and more.

International and F-1 Advisor
Office Coordinator of Inclusion & Advocacy, Cindy Behnke

Global Student Union

We also are home to the Global Student Union (GSU), our student organization focused on building support and visibility for our international student community.

Programming has included the Global Family Potluck, Holi and Thingyan celebration, Tihar and Diwali, Festival of Lights, and more.

GSU Advisor
Director of Inclusion & Advocacy, Sergio Pérez

Latinx/a/o

Through Loras LULAC and the center’s support, our Latinx/a/o students and families can expect support throughout their college experience.

Programming has included Latino Heritage Night with athletics, taquizas, leadership development through LULAC Emerge Conference attendance, and more. Loras LULAC provides a space for our Latinx students to find comunidad. We are proud to have heritages from Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Puerto Rico, Honduras, and more here at Loras College!

Our Loras LULAC leadership team would be happy to connect with any student interested in learning more about Loras LULAC or about the Loras Latinx/a/o student experience.

Si tus padres necesitan un traductor en español, nuestra oficina podría ayudar!

LULAC Advisor
Director of Inclusion & Advocacy, Sergio Pérez