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Arrupe students hit ground running

Arrupe students hit ground running

Arrupe College student Brandon Galindo takes part in a team-building exercise at the Loyola University Retreat and Ecology Campus. More than 150 students attended Arrupe’s first Summer Enrichment Program in early July. (Photo: Natalie Battaglia)

By Elise Haas  |  Student reporter

Recent high school graduate Juan Trinidad wants be a strong role model for his two younger brothers and little sister at their home in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood.

“I want to be the first one to graduate from college and show my siblings you can go on and do whatever you want in life,” said Trinidad, an incoming freshman at Arrupe College, Loyola’s new two-year associate’s degree program for students with limited financial resources.

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• To learn more about Arrupe College and its enrollment process, please visit LUC.edu/arrupe.

Trinidad, who wants to eventually study criminal justice and become a Chicago police officer, was joined by more than 150 of his classmates in early July as they attended Arrupe’s first Summer Enrichment Program. The students spent the weekend at Loyola University Retreat and Ecology Campus (LUREC) in Woodstock, Ill., where they received advice about financial planning, began working on a digital portfolio, and learned about support systems on campus to help them during their time at Arrupe. (Classes for the fall semester begin August 17.)

The retreat also gave students a chance to meet with faculty and staff—and just as importantly, to make new friends. Trinidad said he loved his experience at LUREC and is now even more motivated to get his college degree.

“I was surprised with the new friends I made in one day at the retreat,” he said. “We’re going to stick together and work with each other to succeed.”

Housed in Maguire Hall on the Water Tower Campus, the college addresses a serious problem in higher education across the country—the need to increase access to, and improve completion rates of, college degrees for students from low-income families. Arrupe plans to do this by featuring small class sizes, plenty of one-on-one time with faculty members, and generous financial aid packages that will leave students with little or no debt.

Driven to succeed

As part of the application process, each Arrupe student was invited in for a face-to-face interview. For Yesenia Crespo of Logan Square, this proved to her that Arrupe was the right choice.

“They try to get to know every student individually,” Crespo said. “To know that I got accepted from someone talking to me directly— and not from reading a piece of paper—means a lot.”

To ensure student success, Arrupe staff members will work with students and their families to address home-life issues that can derail a college education.

“Knowing that faculty is going to keep me on track—I’m excited for that,” Crespo said. “Because anything that ensures me that I’m going to do well is obviously a motivator.”

The financial aid, faculty support, and unique educational opportunity Arrupe offers also means a better life for Laura Mata, an incoming student from the South Side. She said her father is her main inspiration for going to college and that he’s always encouraged her to get a degree.

“I want to pursue something better,” said Mata, who would be the first in her family to graduate from college. “I want to get myself up on my feet so I can eventually help support my parents.”

Not only does the faculty and staff work hard to encourage the students, the students also inspire one another. Mata was impressed after learning that one of her classmates is commuting from Waukegan, Ill., to attend school.

“Waking up at 5 o’clock in the morning to take the Metra and coming all the way over here… it’s a lot to do,” Mata said. “But it’s for her education, so I know that the people here want to be successful.”

Optimistic outlook

Arrupe students can earn an associate’s degrees in one of three concentrations: arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, and business. After completing their two-year degree at Arrupe, students can transfer all of their credits to more than 100 Illinois institutions to get their bachelor’s degree.

Though the transition to college can be challenging, the new students are optimistic about their futures.

Trinidad, for example, can’t wait start at Arrupe so he can work toward his dream of joining the Chicago Police Department.

“I know that it is really difficult with all the issues that we have in Chicago,” Trinidad said. “But I feel that one person at a time can make a difference.”

As a fellow member of the inaugural class of Arrupe College, incoming student Ronnisha Williams of Humbolt Park was even more direct.

“We get to make history,” she said.

MOVEMENT GAINING MOMENTUM
Arrupe College has received more than $2 million in funding in the past few months to help incoming students. In June, the Chicago-based Robert R. McCormick Foundation announced a $1 million grant to support student scholarships and a variety of operating expenses at the college, including education technology and capital needs. And in August, the Walmart Foundation announced a $100,000 grant to provide funding for student breakfasts and lunches.

Organizations or individuals interested in supporting Arrupe College can contact Maggie Murphy Stockson at 312.915.8919.