Loyola University Chicago

Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI)

Division of Student Development

Student Leadership Opportunities

Empowerment Pipeline Advocates

Empowerment Pipeline is a student created and student ran program designed to interrupt the school-to-prison pipeline by empowering high school youth to direct their own paths towards higher education and improve their social mobility. Each year Advocates are selected to lead and host visiting high school students throughout the academic year. Through Leadership Engagement and Training all Advocates will:

Serve as a Mentor and Role model

  • Act as role models that students can identify with on various aspects of identity and experience
  • Provide opportunities for youth to explore their interests in pursuing higher education
  • Organize a series of workshops and activities to support visiting students Overnight Experience and/or Campus Visit

Analyze the school to prison pipeline within the Chicago Public School (CPS) system

  • Build awareness of obstacles and challenges underrepresented (first-generation students, students of low socio-economic status, students of color, LGBTQIA students) students face accessing college
  • Build awareness of barriers to retaining underrepresented college students

Develop identity-based empowerment and solidarity among youth

  • Provide opportunities for youth to build an awareness of their multiple identities
  • Provide opportunities for the students to connect, across difference, around their shared motivation to explore higher education
  • Provide opportunities for the students to talk about how their identities are relevant to college fit, retention, and success

Empowerment Pipeline Advocates

Empowerment Pipeline is a student-created and student ran initiative designed to interrupt the school-to-prison pipeline by empowering high school youth to direct their own paths towards higher education and improve their social mobility. Each year 6–8 Advocates are selected to lead and host visiting high school students throughout the academic year, as well as to conduct panels and workshops centered on many subjects.

Through Leadership Engagement and Training, all Advocates will:

Serve as a Mentor and Role model

  • Act as role models that students can identify with on various aspects of identity and experience
  • Provide opportunities for youth to explore their interests in pursuing higher education
  • Organize a series of workshops and activities to support visiting students Overnight Experience and/or Campus Visit
  • Facilitate topics tied to social justice, school to prison pipeline, and higher education access

Analyze the school to prison pipeline within the Chicago Public School (CPS) system

  • Build awareness of obstacles and challenges underrepresented (first-generation students, students of low socio-economic status, students of color, LGBTQIA students) students face accessing college
  • Build awareness of obstacles to retaining underrepresented college students

Develop identity-based empowerment and solidarity among youth

  • Provide opportunities for youth to build an awareness of their multiple identities
  • Provide opportunities for the students to connect, across difference, around their shared motivation to explore higher education
  • Provide opportunities for the students to talk about how their identities are relevant to college fit, retention, and success

How to become an Advocate for 2019-2020

Advocate Role

  • 6–8 Advocates are selected to lead this program
  • Will facilitate signature works shops for both the Overnight Program and campus visits
  • Help recruit additional hosts for the Overnight Experience

Advocate Expectations

  • Must complete a brief application of interest by Monday, September 16, 2019, before 5 PM. Details and link to apply are here
  • Required to attend all training and workshops in preparation of programs

Multicultural LC in DeNobli Residence Hall

  • Hosts 30 high school students participating in the overnight program (takes place on March 14-15, 2020)