Your email preview

THE IDEA newsletter

November 2026, ISSUE NO.30

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

To read past issues of the IDEA Newsletter, please visit:
https://www.loyola.edu/department/equity-inclusion/about/idea-newsletter.html

IDEA Spotlights
IDEA Resources
Campus Highlights and Events

For the 2026-2027 academic year, the IDEA spotlights section will feature 2-3 members of this year's Undergraduate Diversity Advisory Board (DAB).
Get to know some of Loyola's DEIJ student leaders! ⬇️

Keaunna Johnson

Evergreen

Keaunna Johnson is a senior at Loyola studying Biology (B.S.) and Theology (B.A.). Johnson wears many hats at Loyola, from being an Evergreen—a group of student leaders and mentors dedicated to assisting and guiding new students as they transition and start college at Loyola—to being an McAuley Women’s Center ambassador to working at Loyola’s Barnes & Noble Bookstore. Off-campus, Johnson is also a Building STEPS Ambassador—an organization dedicated to equipping Baltimore’s brightest students with the tools to propel them to college and career success, particularly in STEM and healthcare fields. For the 2026-2027 academic year, Johnson has also joined the Undergraduate Diversity Advisory Board (DAB)!

Johnson is passionate about ensuring everyone around her knows they have a voice and that it matters. Johnson says, “Everyone has a perspective, story, and way of seeing the world that is uniquely their own,” which is why she wants people around her to feel comfortable using their voice and know their voice matters and deserves to be heard. To Johnson, there is nothing more meaningful than helping someone recognize the power and importance of their own voice.

Johnson shares the spotlight and gives a shout-out to the McAuley Women’s Center—committed to empowering people through community-wide education and providing resources, advocacy, and educational programs to survivors of sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, and stalking—and the THRIVE Center for Student Success—dedicated to supporting students holistically as they navigate college life, whether through mentoring, outreach, personal or professional development, or resource access.

Silvia R. Gonzalez

Senior Class President

Silvia Gonzalez is a Psychology major and double minor in Marketing and Political Science (pre-law track). As Senior Class President, Gonzalez’s biggest goal is to unite the senior class for one last hurrah and represent all of their diverse backgrounds. Gonzalez loves building an inclusive community where everyone feels like family. By the time the senior class takes their Dewey trip at the end of the year, Gonzalez wants them all to have a nice memory of one another and to have bonded as a class. Gonzalez is also a Senior Resident Assistant (SRA) at Newman Towers, where she oversees 17 resident assistants; she loves her ResLife team!

Gonzalez is passionate about social justice, immigration advocacy, and creating inclusive communities where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. Gonzalez hopes to pursue immigration and public interest law to advocate for individuals and families navigating systems that can feel inaccessible. Through her leadership at Loyola, Gonzalez turns these values into action by amplifying student voices, supporting underrepresented communities, and helping others recognize that their experiences matter.

Gonzalez’s passion stems from growing up as a first-generation Latina in an immigrant community and seeing how differently people experience justice, opportunity, and belonging. Gonzalez’s mom taught her that justice should relieve us of the responsibility of revenge, but she has come to understand that not everyone receives the justice they deserve. Gonzalez states: “Our understanding of justice is often shaped by our perspectives, our surroundings, and the experiences that influence how we see the world. This realization continues to shape my commitment to advocacy and my desire to stand up for those whose voices and experiences are too often overlooked.” Through her mom's small businesses and writing letters on behalf of undocumented individuals separated from their families, Gonzalez has seen how important it is to stand up for people whose voices are often overlooked. Gonzalez believes everyone deserves equal respect, access to resources, and the opportunity to be heard.

Gonzalez shares the spotlight and gives a shout-out to the Student Success Fund—originally used to cover the cost of books, now goes to students facing financial emergencies, seniors who need help paying for cap and gown, and parking tickets with a valid excuse—and the Rizzo Career Center, which offers amazing opportunities and has an amazing staff, including 12 Loyola Student Career Ambassadors who are ready to help their peers.

Loyola-green banner with miscellaneous items and centered 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. ⬇️

Visual and Performing Arts:
2026 November Exhibition and Production Lineup!

🖼️ Nate Larson y El Puente: On Juvenile Incarceration in Argentina
The 2026-2027 Julio Gallery Artist-in-Residence Exhibition
Thursday, October 8 – Saturday, November 14
Julio Fine Arts Gallery

🎭 When Never Is Now by André Queiroz, directed by Dr. James Bunzli
Presented by the Evergreen Players
Thursday, November 12 – Sunday, November 15
McManus Theatre

🎶 Cantorei Concert Dr. Clay Price, Director
Tuesday, November 17, 7:00 p.m.
Recital Room

🎶 Concert Choir Concert Dr. Clay Price, Director
Saturday, November 21, 5:00 p.m.
Alumni Memorial Chapel

Loyola University Maryland's Middle Eastern and South Asian Alliance flyer highlighting Diwali After Dark.

This pop-up tabling event gives student creators a platform to showcase their businesses. It connects vendors directly with customers, boosting exposure and sales for aspiring entrepreneurs.

📍 Boulder Atrium
📆 Every Monday from 12-3 p.m
➡️ November 2nd, 9th,16th, 23rd, and 30th

Orange flyer for the weekly Cohn Hall Cafe, featuring two clinking coffee cups.

Come learn how to get involved with Campus Ministry and CCSJ through opportunities for spiritual growth, community-building, and service on and off campus.

📍 Cohn Hall Common Space

Whether you stay and chat or grab and go, everyone is welcome.
Coffee and community await!

Questions? Contact: yoteroasmar@loyola.edu

Flyer for Saint Study, hosted by Labre Ministry to the Homelessness every Wednesday evening on the Loyola Evergreen campus.

Loyola University Maryland's Muslim Student Association and Campus Ministry flyer highlighting weekly, Friday Jummah prayers.

Picture of the Loyola University Maryland bridge with text that says "Campus Highlights and Events"

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. ⬇️

EVENT

BSA Pie in the Face

Wednesday, November 4 at 12:00pm
to Thursday, November 5 at 3:00pm

Table Of Contents

Keaunna Johnson

Silvia R. Gonzalez

Visual and Performing Arts: 2026 November Exhibition and Production Lineup!

Visual and Performing Arts:
2026 November Exhibition and Production Lineup!