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THE IDEA newsletter

SEPTEMBER 2026, ISSUE NO. 28

The Office of Equity and Inclusion welcomes and wishes you a great start to the 2026 Fall Semester!

About the IDEA Newsletter

The IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) Newsletter is a monthly publication designed to curate diversity, equity, and inclusion opportunities, resources, and initiatives that help 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

Meet the Team!

The OEI is dedicated to upholding the university's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice through an integrative leadership model. Our work encompasses oversight, education, and consultation, allowing us to provide a mission-centered strategy to promote justice and ensure support for equity, inclusion, and belonging for every member of our university community.

Rodney L. Parker, Ph.D. (he/him)
Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer

Dr. Parker leads the University in stewarding diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and in actualizing the University's mission. His career background includes serving as the Director of ALANA (African, Latinx, Asian, Native American) Services at Loyola University Maryland for 14.5 years, providing support to multicultural students and enhancing retention efforts. His combined interests in diversity, inclusion, intercultural engagement, and students' overall well-being have made him an integral part of the Loyola University Maryland community for nearly 20 years.

In 2019, Parker joined the academic affairs division as the Assistant Dean of Undergraduate and Graduate Studies. His primary responsibility as Assistant Dean was to work with first- and second-year students on academic acclimation and success. In addition, he completed a three-year term as the chairperson for the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) Conference on Diversity and Equity in 2016. His professional experience, combined with his research interests in diversity, equity, and inclusion, motivates the work he does at his University.

Dr. Parker holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from N.C. State University, M.Div. and Th.M from Duke University, and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision with a concentration in Pastoral Counseling at Loyola University Maryland. He is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the State of Maryland.

Itzel Mendez Serrano (she/they)
Outreach and Communications Graduate Assistant

Itzel is a second-year M.Ed. School Counseling graduate student at Loyola. As a future school counselor, she strives to holistically support students, help students recognize their individual and collective voices and power, and help them trust and believe in themselves.

Itzel has three years of experience in undergraduate education services, specifically in leadership education focused on self-awareness, collaboration, and inclusion. They also have experience working in early childhood and elementary education as a teacher’s assistant, supporting the development of emotional identification and regulation, as well as social and self-help skills.

In 2025, Itzel earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Development from UC Davis, with minors in Education and Spanish.

Did you know Loyola has an Undergraduate Diversity Advisory Board (DAB)?

DAB is a dedicated group of undergraduate students committed to amplifying student voices on matters of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ).

Serving as advisors, liaisons, and problem solvers, board members work in collaboration with the Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) to advance the university’s mission of equity and help cultivate a community of belonging for all students.

It is our honor to introduce the 2026-2027 team!

Aminata Hernandez
Anaya Rosa
Caleb Contreras
Chelsea Ayiley-Adjn
Daniella Owusu Hayford
Ella Marfo Missah
Gabby Kelly
Isaiah Almondz
Josie Rider
Keaunna Johnson
Keli Mbesa
Mariela Allen-Cadet
Safina Yakcub
Sarah Flores
Silvia Gonzalez
Taylor Pitts

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

The 2025 Climate Survey now has a dashboard!

In 2025, Loyola University Maryland and Rankin Climate LLC conducted the “Thriving Spaces: Environment for Learning, Living, and Working” climate survey. Findings were presented twice during the 2025 fall semester. Now, after months in development, results are available to the Loyola community as a dashboard!

How to locate the dashboard:

➡️ Go to ‘Inside Loyola’
➡️ Scroll to the ‘Around Campus’ section
➡️ Click on the ‘Climate Survey 2025’ button

Screenshot of the Inside Loyola webpage.
Learn more about the experiences of students, faculty, staff, and administrators at Loyola!

Loyola hosts a variety of training, activities, and events throughout the year, many of which foster engagement and open dialogue on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Below are upcoming events taking place across campus this September. ⬇️

EVENT

Cohn Hall Café

Wednesday, September 2
9:30am - 12:30pm

Cohn Hall Common Space (below the chapel), 4501 N Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21210, United States
Link