Community-centered engagement is one of the enduring values of Loyola’s strategic plan, with a goal of giving back by using the University’s resources and partnerships for the greater good. Loyola has a deep involvement in the communities surrounding its campuses, including partnerships with many different local and citywide organizations.

The University maintains a strong relationship with Chicago Public Schools (CPS). In fiscal year 2021, Loyola committed nearly $1 million to efforts that engage CPS students, teachers, and parents in creative educational supports. Loyola students, faculty, and staff work with hundreds of CPS students in neighborhood schools to pursue academic, civic, and social-emotional learning goals.

Loyola also maintains partnerships with over 500 local organizations. All Loyola students have the opportunity to participate in service-learning opportunities. In the 2020-21 academic year, nearly 2,500 students contributed more than 89,000 hours of service-learning in the community. Students also completed nearly 160,000 internship hours at local community organizations.

There are many efforts to promote health equity in surrounding neighborhoods as well, such as the law school’s Health Justice Project and the COVID Equity Response Collaborative: Loyola (CERCL).