THE IDEA newsletter

DECEMBER 2023, ISSUE NO.8

Office of Equity and Inclusion Updates and Upcoming Events
IDEA Spotlights
IDEA Resources
Campus Highlights and Opportunities
Community Engagement Opportunities
HR Trainings and Workshops

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 opportunities, resources, and initiatives that help to improve the campus climate at Loyola. As a hub, the Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) strives to become a University-wide resource for diversity, equity, and inclusion with many campus partners.

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

Office of Equity and Inclusion
Updates and Upcoming Events

SAVE THE DATE

The 31st Annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Convocation

The 2024 Martin Luther King, Jr., Convocation will take place on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in McManus Theatre.

Celebrating its 31st year, the Convocation is an occasion for Loyola and the Baltimore community to launch the spring semester and the New Year by coming together for shared inquiry into the issues of social justice, politics, spirituality, and the legacies of race and racial justice in America.

Please save the date and stay tuned for more information!

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 Grace Prince, President, The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee; Heidi Shaker, Director, Office of Peace and Justice; Abeisha Jeyavijithan, Co-Chief DEIJ Officer, The Sellinger Scholars Society; and Anita Major, Executive Assistant to the Dean, Loyola College of Arts and Sciences.

Grace Prince smiling while wearing a dark green Loyola rowing sweatshirt

Grace Prince (she/her)

President, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee

Grace is a senior majoring in Mechanical and Materials Engineering. She has been a member of the Varsity Women’s Rowing team for the past four years and serves as President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), a group with members from all of Loyola’s sports teams who come together to advocate on behalf of athletes, plan events, and promote unity across teams. She is also a member of Student Athletes for Social Justice, a group of student-athletes who have made actionable changes within the Athletics department and partnered with other groups on campus.

Grace is passionate about advocating for improved mental health services and awareness. During her time on the committee, SAAC has hosted yearly Mental Health panels, where athletes and coaches have shared their experiences on a variety of topics including, but not limited to, difficulties with injuries, struggles with anxiety and depression, and the impact of the lack of diversity within sports. These panels have promoted a culture of openness and vulnerability among student-athletes, which has helped many of them feel less alone.

SAAC also partnered with Ryan Sappington and the Counseling Center to develop a new Mental Health & Sports Psychology Services webpage to inform athletes about available resources such as a support group for athletes with long-term injuries.

Outside of her role as a student-athlete, Grace is also a member of the Green and Grey Society, a small group of seniors that represent various groups across campus and serve as liaisons to the Student Development Division and The Office of the President. She also works in the Rizzo Career Center where she helps students with resumes, cover letters, and other career-related topics. These clubs, teams, and groups have made her time at Loyola an unforgettable experience, and she has learned so much about others but most importantly about who she is.

When asked what motivates her passion for DEIJ, she said, “My passion for DEIJ work is deeply rooted in the values instilled in me by my parents. From a young age, they shaped my worldview, emphasizing the significance of social justice work and the pursuit of a better, more equitable world. Their teachings became an integral part of who I am, inspiring me to believe in the transformative power of advocating for diversity and inclusion.

In high school, I put these beliefs into action, immersing myself in DEIJ initiatives. I founded a Diversity Alliance Club, fostering a space for dialogue and understanding, and participated in the National Student Diversity Leadership Conference. These experiences not only deepened my understanding of the wide range of issues surrounding DEI but also fueled my belief that, on an individual level, I can contribute to positive change and make a meaningful impact in the ongoing journey towards a more just and inclusive society. I still have a lot that I would like to accomplish in my little time left at Loyola and if anybody has any ways that I can help foster their DEIJ work, or any ideas please feel free to contact me.”

Dr. Shaker smiling while wearing a dark blue shirt and blazer

Heidi Shaker, Ph.D. (she/her)

Director, Office of Peace and Justice
Associate Professor of French

Dr. Shaker is an Associate Professor of French and the director of the Office of Peace and Justice. As an Associate Professor of French, she teaches courses at all levels of French. Her specializations are in 20th century French and Francophone literature (North-African, Sub-Saharan African, and Caribbean) and trauma studies. Her upper-level courses include: “The Algerian War: 1954-1962,” “Trauma and Testimony: Representations of the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda,” “Caribbean Identities in Movement,” and “Savoring Francophone Literature.”

Dr. Shaker’s research focuses on representations of psychological trauma in 20th century French and Francophone literature. She studies narratives written by survivors who have experienced a fragmentation, breakdown, and death of self due to the extreme trauma caused by genocide or torture. Rather than assume the unspeakability of trauma, she looks at the narrative strategies that survivors use to make a death of self hearable to the reader. On a practical level, she translates (French/English) for asylum seekers who are seeking protection due to persecution and serious human rights violations in their countries of origin.

As director of the Office of Peace and Justice, she has the pleasure of working with the Peace and Justice steering committee. Together, they choose speakers for the Bunting Peace and Justice speaker series, coordinate the Peace and Justice faculty lunch talk series, promote the development of new courses, evaluate research grant proposals, and develop the peace and justice minor on campus.

She is also the faculty moderator of the Peace and Justice Initiative, a new student club on campus.

The mission of the Office of Peace and Justice is to explore the causes and consequences of violent conflict, as well as the conditions that promote conflict resolution, peace, and justice. If you are interested in learning more about the Peace and Justice minor, a great resource is: https://www.loyola.edu/academics/peace-and-justice.

When she was asked what motivates her passion for DEIJ work, she said, “My passion for DEIJ work comes from my personal experiences of trauma. I study the destruction and reconstruction of self, identity, and voice because for many people, it is a matter of life or death. In every way I can, I use my voice to advocate for those who cannot yet speak for themselves, and fight to make the voices of survivors heard. At Loyola, I strive to create safe and inclusive spaces where we can have difficult and important conversations that lead to healing, deeper understandings and connections, and greater levels of peace and justice. “

A close up of Abeisha Jeyavijithan smiling

Abeisha Jeyavijithan (she/her)

Co-Chief DEIJ Officer
The Sellinger Scholars Society

Abeisha currently serves as the Co-Chief DEIJ Officer for the Sellinger Scholars Society, alongside Jacolby Lacy. The Sellinger Scholars DEIJ Committee is dedicated to implementing initiatives that provide comprehensive support and resources for minority groups in business–including, but not limited to, BIPOC, women, first-gen, LGBTQIA+, and individuals with diverse abilities–to foster their professional growth and amplify their representation in the business field. Moreover, they aim to foster an understanding of diverse perspectives among all scholars to equip them for effective leadership and collaboration in their future endeavors.

During Hispanic Heritage Month, the committee utilized "Takeover Tuesdays" on the Scholars' Instagram to provide a platform for Hispanic/Latinx students to share their experiences. In November, they also hosted a BIPOC and Interfaith gathering, featuring an insightful discussion and networking opportunity aimed to create a safe space for scholars to engage in meaningful discourse on their experiences as minorities in the business realm.

Looking ahead to the spring semester, The Sellinger Scholars DEIJ Committee is preparing to host a business clothing drive in collaboration with Sigma Society, Alpha Kappa Psi, SGA, PRSSA, and the Career Center. Recognizing that financial constraints may hinder students from acquiring appropriate attire for interviews, internships, or presentations, the initiative seeks to mitigate this barrier by providing a platform for students to purchase gently used business attire at a fraction of the cost. Through this effort, they aim to enhance accessibility and empower our peers with the clothing they need to thrive in academic and professional pursuits.

Simultaneously, they are planning the launch of a Sellinger-wide DEIJ student survey, scheduled for early spring. This survey will play a crucial role in gauging student perspectives and refining our existing practices, ensuring that our initiatives align with the needs and expectations of our diverse student body. Abeisha would like to express appreciation to Dr. Robbie Bishop-Monroe, Professor Andrea Giampetro Myer, and Dr. Kaye Whitehead for their generous assistance in refining the upcoming survey.

Overall, Abeisha has found it to be exceptionally wonderful working with the Sellinger Scholars DEIJ Committee, executive board, class representatives, and faculty this year. She is especially grateful to Professor Lynne Elkes, Dr. Irem Demirkan, Matt Rodgers, Viviana Martinez, and Chahat Kumari for their invaluable guidance as she stepped into this position.

Outside of her role on the committee, Abeisha works with Loyola’s Office of Sustainability as a sustainability intern, with a focus on environmental justice and menstrual equity. Additionally, she contributes as a student member of The Sellinger School’s DEI Committee and participates in the SCI&E student steering committee.

When asked what motivates her passion for DEIJ, she said, “My commitment to DEIJ work is deeply rooted in the recognition that our world is inherently diverse, and yet, too many individuals approach it with a lens of homogeneity that breeds ignorance. I firmly believe that each of us bears a social responsibility to actively promote equity and inclusivity, and holding a DEIJ position provides me with a tangible platform to effect positive change and foster a more inclusive environment.

Being a Sri Lankan immigrant and a minority student in the business realm has heightened the value I place on appreciating the unique identities of each individual. This personal understanding further empowers my passion for promoting DEIJ in academic and professional spheres.”

Ms. Anita Majors wearing a dark green turtleneck sweater

Anita Major (she/her)

Executive Assistant to the Dean
Loyola College of Arts and Sciences (LCAS)

Ms. Major serves as the executive assistant to Dr. Frank Golom, Interim Dean of Loyola College. In her role, she provides operational and administrative support, supervises LCAS support staff, and coordinates faculty reviews, appointments, meetings, and events. She also provides additional support for the three associate deans: Drs. Mulcahy, Barry, and Roughani as needed. Ms. Major coordinates and tracks the forms and documents related to the hiring and annual review processes and handles all new hire contracts.

Outside of the LCAS, Ms. Major also serves as an ALANA mentor for the Sister to Sister program. As a mentor, she helps to cultivate an environment where women of color can engage in thoughtful discussion and self-expression related to the challenges, celebrations, and complexities of their experiences at Loyola. She also serves on the planning committee for the Women of Color Wellness Retreat, a collaboration between ALANA Services and The Counseling Center, that is intended for BIPOC students who identify as women to raise their knowledge and awareness of physical and reproductive health and set goals for their continued growth and wellness.

In 2020, Ms. Major was the staff recipient of the AMDG Community Award, an award given to Loyola staff and administrators who exemplify the Ignatian spirit by displaying extraordinary initiative and dedication to Loyola’s mission, vision, and values.

When asked what motivates her passion for DEIJ, she said, “When it was time to consider college, Loyola was at the top of my list. Unfortunately, my high school counselor was not on board and attempted to discourage my parents by telling them I was not Loyola material. Thankfully, they didn’t listen but encouraged me to dream big and pursue those dreams unapologetically while always supporting me. After school, I entered a career in corporate America which taught me many lessons, but unfortunately, I encountered many unsupportive managers, and I did not always know how to advocate for myself. In my second career at Loyola, I have taken all those lessons and intentionally decided to use my voice to support and advocate for those who may not have yet developed their voice. For me that includes advocating for the staff that I supervise as well as the students that I encounter as an ALANA mentor.”

Do you know someone who you think should be featured? To submit a nomination for the IDEA Spotlights, please fill out this form.

IDEA Resources

Below are links to resources, initiatives, support networks, and campus updates, that help to foster inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility across Loyola.

Interfaith Services

Campus Ministry honors, celebrates, and welcomes people of all faith traditions, spiritual practices, and beliefs. Our Interfaith Services 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 and the surrounding areas. For more information, please contact Saima Sitwat, Assistant Director of Ecumenical and Interfaith Ministry, at ssitwat@loyola.edu.

EVENT

Friday Prayers for Muslim Community

Fridays
1:15pm - 2:15pm

CIE Space (3rd Floor Student Center), 4501 N Charles Street, Baltimore, MD , 21210, United States
Link

Table Of Contents

The IDEA Newsletter!

Office of Equity and Inclusion Updates and Upcoming Events

SAVE THE DATE

The 31st Annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Convocation

IDEA Spotlights

Grace Prince (she/her)

Heidi Shaker, Ph.D. (she/her)

Abeisha Jeyavijithan (she/her)

Anita Major (she/her)

IDEA Resources

Interfaith Services

12 Days of Karson

MAP Navigator Recruitment & Application Process

Spring Course Opportunity: LW409D--DE&I at Work

Latinas In Engineering Study

Loyola Mental Health Taskforce

Counseling Center Support Groups

Additional Resources:

Campus Highlights and Opportunities

Community Engagement Opportunities

HR Trainings and Workshops

Giving and Receiving Feedback

Office of Equity and Inclusion
Updates and Upcoming Events