From: Office of Equity & Inclusion
Date: December 1
Subject: The IDEA Newsletter! | December, Issue No. 24


THE IDEA newsletter December 2025, ISSUE NO.24

The IDEA Newsletter

The IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) Newsletter is a monthly newsletter that is designed to curate the diversity, equity, and inclusion educational opportunities and initiatives that help to improve campus climate at Loyola.

To read past issues of the IDEA Newsletter, please visit: https://www.loyola.edu/department/equity-inclusion/about/idea-newsletter.html
Evergreen-colored banner with loading symbols and text that says "Updates from the Office of Equity and Inclusion"
Promotional flyer for the 2026 Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation at Loyola University Maryland featuring guest speaker Carla Hayden, Ph.D.

Follow us on Instagram:
@LoyolaEquityInclusion

The Office of Equity and Inclusion is on Instagram! Follow us at @LoyolaEquityInclusion for updates, events, and insights on fostering an inclusive campus community. Join the conversation and be part of the journey towards equity and inclusion!

📢 Do you enjoy the IDEA Newsletter's "Campus Highlights and Events" section?
This section is now featured daily on the Office of Equity and Inclusion's Instagram Stories! View what campus-wide events are happening each day that foster engagement and open dialogue surrounding diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.

📖⬇️ Looking for some books to read over winter break? Take a peek at an upcoming post for some help in curating your To Be Read (TBR) list!

Dark spruce background featuring several book spines and text saying
What is a "TBR List"? TBR stands for "to be read," and it is a personalized list of books you want to read.

The Office of Equity and Inclusion has hosted several Diversity Reading Groups (DRG). Even though the current list of previous DRG book selections is not all-encompassing, there are 30+ books to explore and choose from. We hope this resource helps expand self-paced learning opportunities related to diversity and inclusion!

Got book recommendations for upcoming DRGs? Please do not hesitate to reach out: officeoftheceio@loyola.edu.

⬇️ Our November posts focused on highlighting the 'Resources' tab on our website. Check them out!

Evergreen background with text defining "Inclusive Scheduling" with directions to the resource webpage.
In the coming weeks and months, several faith traditions will take place. To be inclusive of practicing individuals, it is essential that we be mindful of them and actively incorporate this knowledge into everyday practice, for example, by taking them into account when planning or scheduling campus events.

Keeping track may be challenging; the Office of Equity and Inclusion has curated a faith traditions calendar for the Loyola community to reference.

Got any feedback regarding the Inclusive Scheduling calendar? Please do not hesitate to reach out: officeoftheceio@loyola.edu.
Dark spruce background with text defining "Gender Inclusion" and directions to the resource webpage.

November 20th was Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day that honors the memory of transgender individuals who have lost their lives due to anti-trans violence and discrimination.

Learn more about gender and how to practice gender inclusion with a curated resource webpage, developed with Academic Affairs, the Counseling Center, the Thrive Center, Title IX and Bias Compliance, and the McAuley Women’s Center.

Got any resource suggestions? Please do not hesitate to reach out: officeoftheceio@loyola.edu.

Evergreen-colored banner with miscellaneous items and text that says "IDEA Resources"
Below are links to initiatives, support networks, and campus updates that help to foster inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility across Loyola. ⬇️
Informational flyer for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception by the Campus Ministry.
Informational poster about time and location of the Cohn Hall Cafe event with two clinking coffee cups in the center.
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Loyola is host to a variety of training, activities, and events throughout the year, many of which foster engagement and open dialogue surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion. 
Below are upcoming events taking place across campus this November. ⬇️
Stress Less Week: Goodie Bag Giveaway on Monday, 01 December 2025 At 12:00 PM. No image description provided

EVENT

Stress Less Week: Goodie Bag Giveaway

Clock Monday, December 1
12:00pm - 2:00pm
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Join Active Minds for Stress Less Week! We will be giving out goodie bags with fidgets, resources and more!
RSVP
Knots Workshop on Monday, 01 December 2025 At 4:00 PM. No image description provided

EVENT

Knots Workshop

Clock Monday, December 1
4:00pm - 5:00pm
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Join the Chinese Club in making Zhongguo Jie (中国结), a traditional folk art talisman, used to attract positive energy and luck!
RSVP
Peace and Justice Lunch Talk on Wednesday, 03 December 2025 At 12:00 PM. No image description provided

EVENT

Peace & Justice Lunch Talk

Clock Wednesday, December 3
12:00pm - 1:00pm
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Join us for a Peace & Justice lunch talk to learn about "Bridge-Building, Neurodiversity, Acceptance, Solidarity, and Peacebuilding" presented by Sarah Flores and "The Future of Academic Freedom" presented by Sawyer Little.
RSVP
CCSJ Connect - Justice in Action on Wednesday, 03 December 2025 At 3:00 PM. No image description provided

EVENT

CCSJ Connect - Justice in Action

Clock Wednesday, December 3
3:00pm - 5:00pm
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The Center for Community, Service, and Justice (CCSJ) invites you to stop by our table and discover opportunities to get involved on campus and in the Baltimore community. Learn more about programs that connect students with service, justice, and engagement initiatives, and find the right opportunity for you to make an impact.
RSVP

EVENT

End of Semester Reflection

Clock Wednesday, December 3
6:00pm - 7:30pm
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To close off such a great semester, we want to invite weekly volunteers to the end of semester reflection. It will be on December 3rd from 6:00-7:30pm in Fernandez 023. This will be an opportunity to integrate what we’ve learned through our experiences into direct action for positive social change. Each of us will identify and advocate around a piece of legislation that could impact the community partner and individuals we serve alongside. We encourage you to do some research in advance. Attendance is mandatory if you are not in a CELS course.
RSVP
The Supreme Court in a Time of Crisis on Wednesday, 03 December 2025 At 6:00 PM. No image description provided

EVENT

The Supreme Court in a Time of Crisis

Clock Wednesday, December 3
6:00pm - 7:30pm
Location pin McGuire Hall, 4501 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21210, United States
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Join us for a talk by Neal Katyal, the Paul and Patricia Saunders Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center and former Acting Solicitor General of the United States in 2010-11.
RSVP
Tie -versity on Wednesday, 03 December 2025 At 7:00 PM. No image description provided

EVENT

Tie -versity

Clock Wednesday, December 3
7:00pm - 8:00pm
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Enjoy the experience of making you own tie-dye shirt while being able to share who you are with your peers
RSVP
Visual Arts Senior Capstone Exhibition on Thursday, 04 December 2025 At 10:00 AM. No image description provided

EVENT

Visual Arts Senior Capstone Exhibition

Clock Thursday, December 4 at 10:00am
to Thursday, December 18 at 4:00pm
Location pin Julio Fine Arts Gallery and Black Box Theatre, DeChiaro College Center W131 and M110, 4501 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21210, United States
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Presented by the Julio Fine Arts Gallery, this exhibition features art from Loyola University Maryland visual arts seniors. The exhibition is the culmination of this year’s Senior Capstone for Artists (PT/SA 400), during which each student works intensively on a body of work to be presented at the end of the semester. Don’t miss the chance to support these talented students!
RSVP
CCSJ Intern Information Session on Friday, 05 December 2025 At 1:00 PM. No image description provided

EVENT

CCSJ Intern Information Session

Clock Friday, December 5
1:00pm - 2:00pm
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Are you considering an internship with CCSJ? Speak with our current interns to gain insight into their roles, responsibilities, and professional experiences, and learn more about the application process and other important details!
RSVP
Stress Less Week: Brain Break Board Games on Friday, 05 December 2025 At 7:00 PM. No image description provided

EVENT

Stress Less Week: Brain Break Board Games

Clock Friday, December 5
7:00pm - 9:00pm
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Join Active Minds for Stress Less Week! Take a well-deserved break from studying and working on assignments, and come play some games!
RSVP
York Road Community Day: December 6th on Saturday, 06 December 2025 At 9:15 AM. No image description provided

EVENT

York Road Community Day: December 6th

Clock Saturday, December 6
9:15am - 12:00pm
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Come get your hands dirty with neighbors to accomplish projects to beautify and maintain our shared York Road community! Projects include maintaining street trees, planting new trees and flowers, painting, clean up and more! For more information contact Jeeda Hennawi at yricommercial@loyola.edu.
RSVP
Oyster Garden Cleaning on Saturday, 06 December 2025 At 11:00 AM. No image description provided

EVENT

Oyster Garden Cleaning

Clock Saturday, December 6
11:00am - 1:00pm
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Join us as we clean Loyola's Oyster Garden in the Inner Harbor! Volunteers will be picked up from the library at 11am on Saturday, and from there we will drive to the Canton Waterfront Park to access the dock where the Oyster Garden is "planted". Please wear clothes that can be cleaned or get dirty. Oysters are the Inner Harbor's best natural water filtration systems and are a keystone species in the ecosystem. Help Loyola contribute to local sustainable initiatives! Transportation provided.
RSVP
Lessons and Carols on Saturday, 06 December 2025 At 5:00 PM. No image description provided

EVENT

Lessons and Carols

Clock Saturday, December 6
5:00pm - 6:30pm
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Embrace the enchanting spirit of the season at our 37th Annual Lessons and Carols on Saturday, December 6th, 2025 at 5:00pm in the Alumni Memorial Chapel.

This annual ecumenical service, rooted in the great English choral tradition, combines music and scripture readings of the Advent Christmas Season in a beautiful candle-lit setting. The Loyola University Chapel Choir and guest artists, under the direction of Laura McCormack, Associate Director of Campus Ministry, will perform seasonal music from a broad range of musical styles and traditions.

During the service, gifts are presented to representatives from local agencies to be distributed to children in the Baltimore area as part of the “Presents for Christmas” service project co-sponsored by Loyola’s Center for Community, Service, and Justice and Campus Ministry.

You may join us in-person or live-stream for this very special event. Doors open at 4pm, it is first come first serve seating.
 
RSVP
Hampden

EVENT

Hampden "Miracle on 34th Street" Lights Shuttles

Clock Saturday, December 6
6:00pm - 10:00pm
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Hampden Lights, Miracle on 34th Street, or sometimes called Christmas Street is a Baltimore tradition that dates back over 75 years in which a street in the Hampden neighborhood in Baltimore is adorned with an abundant display of holiday lights for all the enjoy. The spirited display is enjoyed by thousands of Baltimore residents every season and is sure to get you in the Christmas mood!

The experience and shuttles are free but vendors and storefronts will have food, hot chocolate, and merchandise for sale.

For more information, please visit https://www.christmasstreet.com/.

Messina is sponsoring a free shuttle service for students to and from this event. Shuttles will pick-up students from Newman Towers (front entrance) and will run on a continuous loop starting at 6pm, dropping off on the corner of 36th and Chestnut - outside The Charmery). The last bus returning to campus will depart the event at 10:00pm.

Students will sign-in on the Bridge when boarding the shuttle.
RSVP
Soul Kitchen Sign Up on Sunday, 07 December 2025 At 12:00 PM. No image description provided

EVENT

Soul Kitchen Sign Up

Clock Sunday, December 7
12:00pm - 5:00pm
Location pin Govans Presbyterian Church, 5828 York Rd, Baltimore, MD 21212, United States
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Prepare, Cook, and Serve over 50 meals for the community. Come volunteer and release your inner chef! (Make sure to log your hours on the Bridge!)
Contact ccsjonetimefood@loyola.edu if you have any questions!
RSVP
Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception ( English ) on Monday, 08 December 2025 At 12:10 PM. No image description provided

EVENT

Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (English)

Clock Monday, December 8
12:10pm - 1:10pm
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Join Campus Ministry in the Alumni Memorial Chapel at 12:10 pm on Monday, December 8th, for Mass of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in English.
RSVP
Transfer

EVENT

Transfer "Tre(e)ats"

Clock Monday, December 8
2:00pm - 4:00pm
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Grab a sweet treat from TSO and write your fellow transfer students some words of affirmation!
RSVP
Misa en honor a la Inmaculada Concepción ( español ) on Monday, 08 December 2025 At 4:30 PM. No image description provided

EVENT

Misa en honor a la Inmaculada Concepción (español)

Clock Monday, December 8
4:30pm - 5:30pm
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El lunes 8 de diciembre, en honor a la Fiesta de la Inmaculada Concepción, ofreceremos Misa en inglés a las 12:10 pm y Misa en español a las 4:30 pm en Alumni Memorial Chapel. La Misa en español a las 4:30 pm será seguida por una recepción en Cohn Hall.

On Monday, December 8, for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, we will offer Mass in English at 12:10 pm and Mass in Spanish at 4:30 pm in the Alumni Chapel. The Mass in Spanish at 4:30 pm will be followed by a reception and fellowship in Cohn Hall.
RSVP
Festa di Natale on Monday, 08 December 2025 At 5:00 PM. No image description provided

EVENT

Festa di Natale

Clock Monday, December 8
5:00pm - 6:30pm
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Join the Italian Club to celebrate the end of the semester and the upcoming Christmas season!
RSVP
HerCampus Gingerbread House Competition! on Tuesday, 09 December 2025 At 7:00 PM. No image description provided

EVENT

HerCampus Gingerbread House Competition!

Clock Tuesday, December 9
7:00pm - 9:00pm
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In groups no bigger than 4, compete in a gingerbread house competition! Winner gets a prize!
RSVP
Goody Bags Tabling on Wednesday, 10 December 2025 At 12:00 PM. No image description provided

EVENT

Goody Bags Tabling

Clock Wednesday, December 10
12:00pm - 2:00pm
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As the semester wraps up, stop by to pick up a Winter Wishes Goodie Bag packed with small surprises to keep you energized through finals! Spread some holiday cheer, take a short study break, and treat yourself, you’ve earned it ;)
RSVP
Las Posadas Piñata Night STC 14 and 16 on Wednesday, 10 December 2025 At 6:00 PM. No image description provided

EVENT

Las Posadas Piñata Night STC 14 & 16

Clock Wednesday, December 10
6:00pm - 8:00pm
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RA Ava will be leaving mini piñatas at each resident’s door for everyone to open together in celebration of Las Posadas, a traditional Latin American holiday in December.
RSVP
English Department Feast: Shepherding on Wednesday, 10 December 2025 At 6:30 PM. No image description provided

EVENT

English Department Feast: Shepherding

Clock Wednesday, December 10
6:30pm - 7:30pm
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Join SRA Tyra at the English Department feast for an evening of jazz music, activities, and food!
RSVP
Soul Kitchen Sign Up on Sunday, 14 December 2025 At 12:00 PM. No image description provided

EVENT

Soul Kitchen Sign Up

Clock Sunday, December 14
12:00pm - 5:00pm
Location pin Govans Presbyterian Church, 5828 York Rd, Baltimore, MD 21212, United States
Link
Calendar Add to Google Cal,Outlook,Yahoo,iCal

Prepare, Cook, and Serve over 50 meals for the community. Come volunteer and release your inner chef! (Make sure to log your hours on the Bridge!)
Contact ccsjonetimefood@loyola.edu if you have any questions!
RSVP
Menorah Lighting on Sunday, 14 December 2025 At 5:30 PM. No image description provided

EVENT

Menorah Lighting

Clock Sunday, December 14
5:30pm - 6:00pm
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Join JSA to light the menorah for the first few nights of Hanukkah! All are welcome!
RSVP
Menorah Lighting on Monday, 15 December 2025 At 5:30 PM. No image description provided

EVENT

Menorah Lighting

Clock Monday, December 15
5:30pm - 6:00pm
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Join JSA to light the menorah for the first few nights of Hanukkah! All are welcome!
RSVP
Menorah Lighting on Tuesday, 16 December 2025 At 5:30 PM. No image description provided

EVENT

Menorah Lighting

Clock Tuesday, December 16
5:30pm - 6:00pm
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Join JSA to light the menorah for the first few nights of Hanukkah! All are welcome!
RSVP
Menorah Lighting on Wednesday, 17 December 2025 At 5:30 PM. No image description provided

EVENT

Menorah Lighting

Clock Wednesday, December 17
5:30pm - 6:00pm
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Join JSA to light the menorah for the first few nights of Hanukkah! All are welcome!
RSVP
Soul Kitchen Sign Up on Sunday, 21 December 2025 At 12:00 PM. No image description provided

EVENT

Soul Kitchen Sign Up

Clock Sunday, December 21
12:00pm - 5:00pm
Location pin Govans Presbyterian Church, 5828 York Rd, Baltimore, MD 21212, United States
Link
Calendar Add to Google Cal,Outlook,Yahoo,iCal

Prepare, Cook, and Serve over 50 meals for the community. Come volunteer and release your inner chef! (Make sure to log your hours on the Bridge!)
Contact ccsjonetimefood@loyola.edu if you have any questions!
RSVP
Soul Kitchen Sign Up on Sunday, 28 December 2025 At 12:00 PM. No image description provided

EVENT

Soul Kitchen Sign Up

Clock Sunday, December 28
12:00pm - 5:00pm
Location pin Govans Presbyterian Church, 5828 York Rd, Baltimore, MD 21212, United States
Link
Calendar Add to Google Cal,Outlook,Yahoo,iCal

Prepare, Cook, and Serve over 50 meals for the community. Come volunteer and release your inner chef! (Make sure to log your hours on the Bridge!)
Contact ccsjonetimefood@loyola.edu if you have any questions!
RSVP


If you would like to contribute relevant news items, events, professional development opportunities, or community updates and accomplishments, please send them to officeoftheceio@loyola.edu


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33rd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Convocation on Monday, 26 January 2026 At 6:30 PM. No image description provided

EVENT

33rd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Convocation

clock Monday, January 26, 2026
6:30pm - 8:00pm
Location pinMcGuire Hall, 4501 N Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21210, United States
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Carla Hayden, Ph.D. will deliver the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation address at Loyola University Maryland on Monday, January 26, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. in McGuire Hall.

A lifelong advocate for literacy and public service, Carla Hayden, Ph.D., champions the power of libraries as spaces for connection, opportunity, education, and transformation. She is the former Librarian of Congress, served as president of the American Library Association, and led the Enoch Pratt Free Library as CEO for more than two decades. Hayden made history in 2016 when she was sworn in as the 14th Librarian of Congress—the first woman and first African American to lead the nation’s library. She reimagined the Library of Congress as a dynamic, inclusive institution that connects all Americans to knowledge, creativity, and history. Her leadership has focused on access, equity, and storytelling. Today, Hayden—who is a recipient of Loyola’s prestigious Andrew White Medal—is a senior fellow for the Mellon Foundation and continues to pursue scholarship, writing, and research.

The event will also be live-streamed on YouTube, with closed captioning provided.

This event is part of the Peace & Justice Bunting Speaker Series and is free and open to the public, although advance registration is encouraged.

Celebrating its 32nd year, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation is an opportunity for Loyola and the Baltimore community to come together and launch the spring semester and New Year with a shared inquiry into issues of social justice, politics, spirituality, and the legacies of race and racial justice in America.

The convocation is co-sponsored by the Office of the President, Office of Equity and Inclusion, Office of Peace & Justice, the Karson Institute for Race, Peace & Social Justice, Messina, and the African and African American Studies Program.

Persons with disabilities who may require special services should contact the Office of Disability and Accessibility Services at 410-617-2062 (TDD) or 410-617-2141 at least 48 hours before the event.
REGISTER