DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Loras College Center for Inclusion & Advocacy has earned The National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Region IV-E Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Award.
The award is presented to an office/department/division at a college or university that demonstrates a successful record of achievement in celebrating and creating a welcoming and inclusive campus environment. Cultural diversity includes issues related, but not limited to, race, religion, ethnicity, creed, gender, gender identity, military status, sexual orientation, and disability.
“This recognition by NASPA Region IV-E validates Loras’ commitment to the well-being of every student,” Art Sunleaf, Vice President for Student Development, said. “I am proud of how we advocate for every student and continue to evolve and adapt to ensure that they can continue to come together and feel connected.”
Through the Center for Inclusion & Advocacy, Loras focuses on providing greater support to marginalized groups of students, which is a growing segment of the student population.
“This affirms the evolution our diversity, equity and inclusion work has seen in the last few years,” Sergio Perez (13), director for the Center for Inclusion & Advocacy, said. “The award also underlines the high-quality experience we can offer the Dubuque community. It is an honor to receive this recognition as we continue to be in community and seek new ways of being that bring greater inclusion for our students who are First Generation, Black/African American, Latinx, LGBTQIA+ identifying or come from other minoritized backgrounds. This recognition belongs to all our Duhawks who guide us as we visualize a more inclusive and just tomorrow.”
Sunleaf added, “This award is a testament to the hard work of our staff to provide a welcoming environment for all students. The commitment that Sergio and Steven Parker have made to the Loras community is outstanding and the students have reaped the rewards.”
NASPA is the leading association for the advancement, health, and sustainability of the student affairs profession. It supports professionals who provide programs, experiences, and services that cultivate student learning and success in concert with the mission of our colleges and universities. Established in 1918 and founded in 1919, NASPA is comprised of over 15,000 members in all 50 states, 25 countries, and 8 U.S. Territories.
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About Loras College
Founded in 1839, Loras College leverages its historic roots as Iowa’s first college, the second oldest Catholic college west of the Mississippi River and one of the nation’s 10 diocesan colleges to deliver challenging, life-changing experiences as part of its residential, Catholic setting. In 2019, Loras was the second-highest ranked Catholic college in the state of Iowa according to College Consensus, the 16th Best Regional College in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report and one of America’s Top 200 Most Loved Colleges/Universities by Forbes Magazine for the third consecutive year. Loras students ranked No. 2 in the world as part of the global Peeptrade Investment Challenge while a second group ranked No. 4. For the 10th consecutive year, Loras Media Studies student-led television station (LCTV) was named the TV Station of the Year by the Iowa College Media Association (ICMA).
