Get Involved

Note: If you are not officially involved in the LUCES Mentorship Program (LMP), you are still welcome to join the LUCES community and attend our signature events and monthly gatherings!

LUCES has the following components:

LUCES Mentorship Program (LMP)

LUCES mentees are matched with a peer mentor (LUCES Scholar) as well as a current Loyola faculty or professional staff member. Through one-on-ones, group meetings, and communication, mentors are knowledgeable guides, thoughtful facilitators who provides access to people and resources, and ultimately role models and success advocates. In addition, peer mentors play a critical role in supporting the program planning, development, and execution of numerous LUCES community engagements and events throughout the academic year. Six peer mentors are hired for each academic year. Transfer students are encouraged to apply.

Optional for First-Year Mentees: For those who are choosing to live on Loyola's campus there is an opportunity to select the Multicultural Learning Community (MCLC) as a part of your housing application. The MCLC serves as a residential community for mentees connected to CDI and for those interested in engaging fellow peers in topics of social justice, social change, and identities.

• There is no fee to join the LUCES program. For questions, please email Ericka J. Garica (Program Coordinator for Womxn’s Initiatives) at egarcia11@luc.edu 

LUCES Scholar

The primary role of a LUCES Scholar is to assist Womxn of Color in successfully navigating and transitioning into the academic, extracurricular, social, and cultural dimensions of campus life at Loyola. Scholars function in a variety of roles, including program/event planner, team member, role model, ambassador, bridge-builder, and informal peer mentor. Some overarching realms of responsibilities include programming, mentorship, administrative assistance, leadership, meetings, trainings, and professional development. 

Faculty and/or Staff LMP Mentors

LMP staff/faculty mentors are a crucial part of the mentorship experience. Typically, they are responsible for creating a space of support and engagement amongst their group of mentees. Traditionally paired with first-year and/or transfer students, LMP Faculty/Staff Mentors function as a trusted source of academic, professional, and social guides for students to be successful in navigating the new terrain that is Loyola University Chicago (LUC). LUCES invites any interested womxn*/person of color LUC faculty and staff to contact Ericka Garcia (egarcia11@luc.edu) for more information on how to take on this role in our program.

LUCES Monthly Gatherings

These events are open to all LUC members and centers womxn/person of color within LUC. Events typically focus on topics surrounding self-reflection, community building, and identity exploration.

LUCES Takes Action (LTA), Womxn of Color Annual Retreat, LUCES Art Show, End of the Year Gala

LUCES Scholars lead these initiatives, with the support of LUCES community members. Participants can expect to play a supportive role in marketing efforts, program design and implementation, community and outreach.

• LUCES Takes Action is responsible for planning casual, informal gatherings, dialogues, and community service to best serve all members of our community. Womxn of Color Annual Retreat provides a weekend experience that center Loyola's Womxn of Color. It is a time for critical self-reflection and exploration of identity. Participants are able to re-energize themselves through validation and nurturing of their identities, connection with mentors within their community, and engagement with leadership opportunities.
• LUCES Art Show: The Resistence is the annual showcase that is our only program open to the entire LUC community (even those who do not identify as womxn of color). This event features artists from the Loyola campuses and include both performance and physical art. Some examples include: poetry, dance, jewellery, canvases, singing, and much more. This is an opportunity to highlight the experiences and creativity of those who identify within the LUCES community at large.
• LUCES Gala is a formal end of the year celebration in recognition of all our community members, graduating seniors, outgoing and incoming Scholars, faculty/staff mentors, and the people who create the LUCES space that centers Womxn of Color at Loyola University Chicago.

APPLY TO BE A LUCES MENTEE! 

Interested in joining the LUCES Mentorship Program? You must be an incoming first-year student. Ttransfer students are eligible to participate in this program.

LUCES Mentee recruitment for 2023-2024 academic year has closed. Applications for 2024-2025 year will open May 2024. 

There is no fee to participate. For questions and/ or concerns, please contact diversity@luc.edu.