Empowering Adult Learners
Empowering Adult Learners
Alumni Engagement: Guiding Lights in the SCPS Ambassadors Program
In the evolving landscape of higher education, Loyola’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) stands as a model of innovation and inclusivity. Rooted in a rich tradition of Jesuit values and commitment to lifelong learning, SCPS has pioneered transformative educational pathways for non-traditional and working adult students. At the core of this pioneering spirit is the SCPS Ambassadors Program, a demonstration of the community-driven culture that characterizes the SCPS experience.
While access to quality education remains a pressing concern, SCPS has embraced the online realm to provide a meaningful education to prospects who might otherwise be unable to enroll. Leveraging flexible, accessible online learning, SCPS has shattered barriers, opening doors for individuals from diverse backgrounds to pursue academic and professional advancement.
The SCPS Ambassadors Program stands as a cornerstone of this commitment to accessibility and community engagement. Comprising of both current students and alumni, the Ambassadors serve as mentors and guides, bridging the gap between past and present SCPS cohorts. Alumni play pivotal roles as mentors and guides through the program.
SCPS Ambassador, Jackie Gilbert, celebrates with classmates after receiving her diploma.
Alumni play a crucial role as mentors, offering valuable insights, encouragement, and practical advice to current students. Drawing from their own transformative experiences, they serve as a support system, guiding their peers through the complexities of returning to education while balancing various responsibilities.
Their involvement enriches the educational journey of SCPS students, embodying the spirit of community and collective growth. Take for example, SCPS ambassadors, Jackie Gilbert, “I can remember my fear in the beginning of not knowing how to navigate technology and being old school. That was very daunting, but the professors are so amazing. It's part of why I love being a SCPS Ambassador because I get to tell anyone who has the same fear about returning to school that there are supports to help.”
John Chrusciel, BA ‘18, reflects on the importance of seeking help and support, stating, "If you're truly committed to completing school, no matter what life throws at you, you will be able to overcome. That doesn't mean you're going to do it alone." This shared perspective highlights the community's role in supporting each other through challenges and triumphs.
Central to the program's mission is the cultivation of a supportive and inclusive environment. Alumni involvement extends beyond academic support, contributing to the nurturing of a supportive environment where every student feels valued and empowered to succeed. Through orientation sessions and intimate breakout discussions, Ambassadors foster a sense of belonging from the outset, instilling in new students the confidence to navigate the challenges and journey ahead. By fostering meaningful connections and fostering a sense of belonging, alumni engagement fuels the vibrant community spirit that distinguishes the SCPS experience.
“The importance of realizing that we are supported, both by our fellow alumni and by the broader SCPS community. This support network is a testament to the strength of our community and the bonds that unite us.” Henry Nichols, BA ‘23
Beyond academic support, the Ambassadors program fosters a culture of service and social responsibility. Grounded in Jesuit principles, SCPS instills in its students a sense of service to others, empowering them to affect positive change in their communities. The SCPS experience transcends individual success, calling upon graduates to be catalysts for broader social change.
Cory Bright, BA ‘19, shares a valuable lesson from his time at Loyola, “The concept of magis, which encourages doing more for others as a way of doing more for God. This principle resonates deeply with the SCPS community, inspiring us to not only strive for personal success but also to make a positive impact on the world around us.”
From orientation pledges to alumni reflections, the essence of diversity, social justice, and responsible freedom fills every facet of the SCPS student experience. Amy Liesemeyer, BA ‘20, reminds us that “We must exemplify the values we believe in and be leaders for the change we want to see in the world. Our commitment to these values strengthens our community and empowers us to create a more just and inclusive society.”
The SCPS Ambassadors program epitomizes the spirit of community and resilience that defines the Loyola University Chicago experience. As alumni reflect on their educational journey, we hope you embrace your role as torchbearers of this legacy. Together, let us continue to build bridges, support one another, and champion the transformative power of education for all Ramblers.
Ambassador Program
Curious about how Loyola is shaping the future of adult education? Discover how you can make a difference as an alum; whether you are interested in mentoring current students, attending networking events, or staying informed about the latest developments, there is a place for you in the Loyola community.
LEARN MOREIn the evolving landscape of higher education, Loyola’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) stands as a model of innovation and inclusivity. Rooted in a rich tradition of Jesuit values and commitment to lifelong learning, SCPS has pioneered transformative educational pathways for non-traditional and working adult students. At the core of this pioneering spirit is the SCPS Ambassadors Program, a demonstration of the community-driven culture that characterizes the SCPS experience.
While access to quality education remains a pressing concern, SCPS has embraced the online realm to provide a meaningful education to prospects who might otherwise be unable to enroll. Leveraging flexible, accessible online learning, SCPS has shattered barriers, opening doors for individuals from diverse backgrounds to pursue academic and professional advancement.
The SCPS Ambassadors Program stands as a cornerstone of this commitment to accessibility and community engagement. Comprising of both current students and alumni, the Ambassadors serve as mentors and guides, bridging the gap between past and present SCPS cohorts. Alumni play pivotal roles as mentors and guides through the program.
Alumni play a crucial role as mentors, offering valuable insights, encouragement, and practical advice to current students. Drawing from their own transformative experiences, they serve as a support system, guiding their peers through the complexities of returning to education while balancing various responsibilities.
Their involvement enriches the educational journey of SCPS students, embodying the spirit of community and collective growth. Take for example, SCPS ambassadors, Jackie Gilbert, “I can remember my fear in the beginning of not knowing how to navigate technology and being old school. That was very daunting, but the professors are so amazing. It's part of why I love being a SCPS Ambassador because I get to tell anyone who has the same fear about returning to school that there are supports to help.”
John Chrusciel, BA ‘18, reflects on the importance of seeking help and support, stating, "If you're truly committed to completing school, no matter what life throws at you, you will be able to overcome. That doesn't mean you're going to do it alone." This shared perspective highlights the community's role in supporting each other through challenges and triumphs.
Central to the program's mission is the cultivation of a supportive and inclusive environment. Alumni involvement extends beyond academic support, contributing to the nurturing of a supportive environment where every student feels valued and empowered to succeed. Through orientation sessions and intimate breakout discussions, Ambassadors foster a sense of belonging from the outset, instilling in new students the confidence to navigate the challenges and journey ahead. By fostering meaningful connections and fostering a sense of belonging, alumni engagement fuels the vibrant community spirit that distinguishes the SCPS experience.
Beyond academic support, the Ambassadors program fosters a culture of service and social responsibility. Grounded in Jesuit principles, SCPS instills in its students a sense of service to others, empowering them to affect positive change in their communities. The SCPS experience transcends individual success, calling upon graduates to be catalysts for broader social change.
Cory Bright, BA ‘19, shares a valuable lesson from his time at Loyola, “The concept of magis, which encourages doing more for others as a way of doing more for God. This principle resonates deeply with the SCPS community, inspiring us to not only strive for personal success but also to make a positive impact on the world around us.”
From orientation pledges to alumni reflections, the essence of diversity, social justice, and responsible freedom fills every facet of the SCPS student experience. Amy Liesemeyer, BA ‘20, reminds us that “We must exemplify the values we believe in and be leaders for the change we want to see in the world. Our commitment to these values strengthens our community and empowers us to create a more just and inclusive society.”
The SCPS Ambassadors program epitomizes the spirit of community and resilience that defines the Loyola University Chicago experience. As alumni reflect on their educational journey, we hope you embrace your role as torchbearers of this legacy. Together, let us continue to build bridges, support one another, and champion the transformative power of education for all Ramblers.