Loyola University Chicago

Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI)

Division of Student Development

Loyola University Chicago Empowering Sisterhood (LUCES)

 

Loyola University Chicago Empowering Sisterhood (LUCES) is an intergenerational and intersectional community that centers the experiences of undergraduate and graduate students, staff, faculty, and alumni Womxn and People of Color (W/POC) at a Predominately White Institution (PWI). 

The Mentorship program focuses on building solidarity, empowering scholarship, and cultivating leadership for cisgender WOC, transgender WOC, gender non-conforming individuals, masculine of center (MOC) womxn of color, regardless of gender expression or sexual orientation. Transfer students are also eligible and encouraged to join the LUCES community. 

  

*The LUCES community uses the term ‘Womxn’ to be inclusive of all those that identify along the vast spectrum of womanhood regardless of gender presentation or sexual orientation. (i.e., cisgender & transgender women, gender non-conforming individuals, masculine of centered individuals) 

  

LUCES Mentees will have the opportunity to: 

  • Be matched with a peer mentor and staff or faculty mentor throughout their first year at Loyola. All mentors are past mentees of LUCES and/or staff and faculty with a significant institutional knowledge and understanding of resources. 
  • Engage in 1:1 monthly meetings with their mentors to build community and identify supports and resources, and engage in identity development. 
  • Participate in monthly engagements with the LUCES community centering identity development, social justice based dialogues, resources and supports, as well as topics of interest related to the student experience. 
  • Attend the annual overnight off-campus LUCES Retreat. 
  • Be eligible to participate in the Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) Program in the spring semester and engage in activities to enhance transformative leadership skills. 
  • Be a part of the greater CDI community! 

 LUCES Scholars  

  • LUCES Scholars serve as the secondary layer to support, encourage and assist first-year & transfer mentees in successfully navigating and transitioning into the academic, extracurricular, social, cultural dimensions of campus life at Loyola. Through one-on-ones, group meetings, and communication, peer mentors are knowledgeable guides, and thoughtful facilitators who provide access to important campus partners and resources. In addition, Scholars play a critical role in supporting the program planning, development and execution of numerous WOC community functions and events throughout the academic year. Six Scholars are hired each academic year. 

LUCES Staff & Faculty Mentors  

  • LUCES Staff & Faculty Mentors serve as a primary source for support, encouragement, and assistance first-year and transfer mentees in successfully navigating and transitioning into the academic, extracurricular, social, cultural dimensions of campus life at Loyola. Through one-on-one and group meetings, staff and faculty mentors are knowledgeable guides, thoughtful facilitators who provide access to people and resources, role models, and success advocates. Each year we look for 30-40 staff & faculty volunteers. If you are interested in serving as a Staff or Faculty Mentor, please contact Ericka J. Garcia (Program Coordinator) at egarcia11@luc.edu. 

  

 *LUCES SCHOLAR APPLICATIONS ARE CURRENTLY OPEN FOR THE 2024-25 ACADEMIC YEAR! APPLY TODAY! 

  

APPLICATION PROCESS  

  

  • Job description is available via LUC Handshake  
  • Application Link: http://tinyurl.com/CDILeaderApp24  
  • Applications will be open from Friday, January 19 to Friday, February 16, 2024   
  • Applications must be completed by 11pm (cst) on Friday, February 16 to be considered   
  • Interviews will be conducted from March 12 to March 20, 2024  

  

There is no fee to join the LUCES program. For questions, please email Ericka J Garcia at egarcia11@luc.edu