Table Of Contents

1. Office of Equity and Inclusion Updates
2. IDEA Spotlights
3. IDEA Resources
4. Campus Highlights and Events

The IDEA Newsletter!

"Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a better person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in."

- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the Youth March for Integrated Schools,
April 18, 1959.

Office of Equity and Inclusion
Updates

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

Meet our New Graduate Assistant!

Tova Turner (she/her)

Inclusive Programming Graduate Assistant

Tova is an emerging leader in event management and is dedicated to creating impactful and engaging experiences for diverse audiences. Currently pursuing an MBA as part of Loyola University’s Emerging Leaders MBA (ELMBA) program, Tova brings a strong foundation in business strategy and programming to their work. At Towson University, she served as the Director of Programming for the Campus Activities Board (CAB), where they spearheaded campus-wide events and initiatives aimed at fostering community engagement.

Within their career path, she focuses on leveraging project management and business analysis skills to design and execute memorable events. They are committed to enhancing organizational efficiency and delivering exceptional outcomes for stakeholders.

Originally from Boston, MA, Tova is a proud graduate of Towson University, holding a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Project Management and Business Analysis.

A fun fact about her is their love for pandas. They have donated to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to support panda conservation and enjoyed visiting the pandas at the Washington, D.C., Zoo.

IDEA Spotlights

In each newsletter, the Office of Equity and Inclusion highlights individuals within Loyola who are working to make our campus an inclusive and welcoming place for all people. In this edition, we are spotlighting Toya Dailey-Smith, Associate Director of Employee Relations and Organizational Development,  Fuat Gürsözlü, Associate Professor of Philosphy, and Alexis Piasecki, President of the LGBTQ+ Experience.

Toya Dailey-Smith (she/her)

Associate Director Employee Relations & Organizational Development
Office of Human Resources

As the Associate Director of Employee Relations and Organizational Development in the Human Resources department, Toya provides HR operational and strategic support to Academic Affairs, Loyola College of Arts and Sciences, Mission and Identity, DEIJ, Enrollment Management, the School of Education, the Sellinger School of Business Management, and Student Development.

She partners with department leadership to address employee relations, recruitment, and organizational development needs throughout the employee life cycle. Additionally, as a Title IX and Bias Intake Officer for faculty, staff, and administrators, Toya works closely with the Title IX and Bias Compliance Office to address matters involving bias, sexual harassment, and discrimination.

When asked what motivates her passion for DEIJ, Toya said,

"My commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) begins with challenging myself to grow continually and evaluate my own biases, while encouraging the same personal reflection in others. As a member of the President's Council on Equity and Inclusion, I am privileged to advocate for and support inclusive policies and programs. Additionally, as a facilitator in the inaugural Cura Conversations series and Restorative Justice and Practice circles, I help foster an environment of ongoing exploration, dialogue, and restoration. I believe that our collective efforts across the University create a culture where DEIJ is deeply embedded in our identity and daily practices. Together, we rise! "

Fuat Gürsözlü, Ph.D. (he/him)

Dr. Gürsözlü is an Associate Professor of Philosophy and the Chair of the Philosophy Department. His primary area of expertise is political philosophy, with a specific focus on democratic theory. He regularly teaches PL 210: Politics and Society, a course that explores themes of conflict, solidarity, and democracy. His upper-level seminars include Philosophy of Human Rights, Justice in Global Perspective, Social and Political Philosophy, and Contemporary Political Philosophy. Across all his courses, Dr. Gürsözlü examines issues of justice, diversity, and inclusion, encouraging students to engage with these themes from various perspectives.

His research centers on the possibility of fostering a more pluralistic and democratic society. While he has written on a range of topics in social and political philosophy, he consistently returns to the question of how to best understand an inclusive and peaceful democracy in the context of conflicting values, perspectives, and identities. Dr. Gürsözlü explores his response to this question in his recent book, Agonistic Democracy and Political Practice.

Alexis Piasecki (she/her, they/them)

On campus, Alexis is constantly on the go, often found running around the student center. She is pursuing a major in Communication and Media, specializing in Advertising/Public Relations and Digital Media, while also minoring in Theatre and Gender and Sexuality Studies. Alexis also serves as the president of The LGBTQ+ Experience, leads the social media sub-committee for the Undergraduate Diversity Advisory Board, and contributes as a props designer and member of the Evergreen Players.

Additionally, they are a member of Omicron Delta Kappa,work as a Greyhound Ambassador during the summer months, and serve as a Marketing Intern at Berman McAleer, LLC, a wealth management firm.

At Loyola, Alexis has found numerous opportunities to engage in DEIJ work. One example is the Julio Fine Arts Gallery, which frequently features identity-based artwork from students and faculty. Alexis had the privilege of having their artwork displayed in the "Seeking/Found: LGBTQIA+ Artist Exhibit" and has collaborated closely with Professor Mary Beth Akre. Together, they are working on Professor Akre's sabbatical art exhibition, "We're All Stories," scheduled for the upcoming spring.

On November 15, 2024 , The LGBTQ+ Experience, in collaboration with the newly established LGBTQ+ Student Services department, hosted the 7th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) vigil and resource fair. Alexis had the honor of hosting the vigil this year, recognizing the growing discussions surrounding transgender identities. Those interested in volunteering or staying updated can join the community on the bridge or follow @theLGBTQExperience on Instagram.

When asked what motives her passion for DEIJ work, Alexis said,

"My passion for DEIJ work comes from the work I did in my hometown of Adamstown, Maryland in Frederick County. I started my journey with queer leadership when I was the co-president of my high school's gender and sexuality alliance. Our faculty moderator, my favorite English teacher, encouraged us to get out in the community at pride events, attend local women's marches, and table regularly at school to make ourselves visible. I worked with my high school's administration to solve the glaring issues with their chosen name policy, ensure that homophobic and transphobic bullying was consistently reprimanded, and worked with our minority essence club to get more racial justice content in the classroom by petitioning and lobbying Frederick County Public Schools. In my hometown, I had several transgender friends who have experienced temporary homelessness and mental health struggles due to unaccepting parents. In my DEIJ work, I hope to educate people that issues of discrimination are present everywhere and intersect across every social location. I specifically call for the need to protect trans youth and youth access to LGBTQ+ resources in schools. I have seen how my voice creates change and will continue to encourage others to mobilize and stand up for their beliefs."

IDEA Resources

MLK Day 2025: Where Do We Go From Here?

Join the Center for Community, Service, and Justice (CCSJ) for a day of learning and community building through adult political education, youth Freedom School sessions, a community dinner, and meaningful connections with Baltimore's grassroots organizations working year-round for social change.

Free and open to all | Monday, January 20, 2025 | 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Northwood Appold United Methodist Church, 4499 Loch Raven Blvd, Baltimore, MD 21218

To learn more or register, please visit: https://cglink.me/2hL/r2147023

The Counseling Center's Public Health Initiative

As part of the Counseling Center's Public Health Initiative for Suicide Prevention, here is some helpful information on recognizing warning signs and how to help a friend in distress.

Healthy Hounds Day!

Interfaith Services

Campus Ministry honors, celebrates, and welcomes people of all faith traditions, spiritual practices, and beliefs. Our interfaith and ecumenical events provide opportunities for students, faculty, administrators and staff from diverse faith identities and backgrounds to come together to celebrate, learn from one another and develop relationships for hope, renewal and interfaith cooperation.

Please see below for a list of resources and upcoming events on campus. For more information, please contact Saima Sitwat, Assistant Director of Ecumenical and Interfaith Ministry, at ssitwat@loyola.edu.

Fava Chapel: Interfaith Prayer Space on Campus

The Fava Chapel is an Interfaith Prayer Space, to be used by Loyola community members of diverse faith traditions for worship and spiritual practices. The space is stocked with prayer mats, scarves, meditation labyrinth, yoga mats and Zen Meditation pillows and other religious articles. A variety of scriptures and religious literature are also available for worshippers to read and learn from.

If you need more information or would like to schedule an informational tour of the space for your class, please contact: Saima Sitwat, Assistant Director of Interfaith and Ecumenical Ministry, ssitwat@loyola.edu.

If you would like to contribute relevant news items, events, professional development opportunities, or community updates and accomplishments, please send them to rlittle1@loyola.edu


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