Welcome to our CSA stories, where you'll find quick but in-depth glimpses into our staff, students, faculty, and collaborators. Interviews are posted with the more recent at the top.

2023-2024 Stories!

Claire Noonan
she/her/hers
Vice President for Mission Integration
BA in English & Religious Studies, Catholic University of America
MDiv, Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley
DMin, Catholic Theological Union (concentration in spirituality)

Where are you from? 
The Chicago area. I live in Oak Park now.

What do you like to do in your free time? 
Visit with friends, read, walk, travel.

Why do you support Loyola in its community engagement work?
Engagement with the community is an essential dimension of Loyola’s mission and identity as a Jesuit, Catholic university. 

What is one of your favorite stories from your experiences with community engagement?
Once upon a time, I used to direct Loyola4Chicago. I absolutely loved the work – which was most directly with our student leaders. It was a great joy to see how students continued their dedication to community service and action beyond graduation in some powerful and extraordinary ways.

What is your favorite thing about the work you do?
Inviting people to connect with their deepest calls to purpose and relationship. 

In the spirit of Sr. Jean and her belief in the goodness of people that she shares in her book, “Wake Up With Purpose,” where have you seen the goodness of others in your community engagement experiences?
Everywhere!  A recent example—I serve on the Board of Christ the King Jesuit College Prep (a school in Austin following the Cristo Rey model)—and was asked to help write a new vision statement for the school. We had a junior student on the committee. Listening to him thoughtfully reflect on his experience of CTK, and his dreams for his fellow students coming up after him was powerful! He was so generous with his time and wisdom. His perspective in large measure shaped the statement which was eventually approved by the Board and will guide the school’s strategic planning for its next chapter of service to the Westside.

What is your favorite place on campus?
The benches on the lakefront—especially on a warm and breezy summer day. 

What advice would you give to a student looking to get involved?
Jump in! You will be welcomed warmly, and find joy and companionship quickly. You’ll learn a lot and be challenged to grow immensely.

Anthony Maltese
he/him/his
Senior - Biochemistry

Where are you from?
Oswego, IL

What do you like to do?
In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with friends and exploring the city together. What I love most about Chicago is there’s always a new restaurant or museum to discover and they never disappoint. I also really like to watch movies and the latest streaming shows. My favorite this past year has been House of the Dragon on Max.

How are you involved in Community Service & Action?
I have been a volunteer with Loyola4Chicago for over two years now, and since then, I’ve had the immense privilege of working with multiple site partners in our local community. My first two semesters, I volunteered at Jordan Elementary School and FORA, and last year, I became a student leader for Centro Romero. I look forward to continuing in this role for the upcoming year!

Why do you engage in the community?
From a very young age, my parents have always instilled in me a sense of service to those around you, especially those who may be less fortunate than me. I knew when I came to Loyola, I wanted to join a service organization that fulfilled my desire to engage with my community, and when I found L4C, it was a perfect match. This organization has allowed me to build new connections and work with diverse populations that I would’ve never encountered on such a personal level had I not joined. The past two years volunteering with L4C have been some of the most rewarding and eye-opening experiences in my entire life.

What is one of your favorite stories from your community engagement experiences?
When I worked at FORA, I had the opportunity to mentor a new high school student who was in the midst of preparing for his first job interview. He was incredibly nervous and struggled with social interactions, so I worked to build his confidence and help him practice answering questions. As the child of refugees from the Middle East, it was incredibly inspiring hearing his story and the bravery it took for his parents to flee their home and start an entire new life here in America. Working with him will be an experience I never forget.

How are you involved at Loyola outside of CSA?
Outside of CSA, I am a research assistant in Dr. Esipova’s organic chemistry lab. I have also volunteered with Hearts4Homeless, a non-profit organization that provides free blood pressure readings to underserved populations in the local community.

What advice would you give to an incoming student at Loyola?
My biggest piece of advice is to take full advantage of all the events hosted on campus. LUCommunity provides an exhaustive list of all the organizations and events going on throughout the semester, and these are the best ways to meet new people and participate in extremely fun activities. The Department of Programming (DOP) here at Loyola does an amazing job setting up events, so always keep an eye out for what’s coming up. Some of my favorite events I’ve went to over the years are the movie nights hosted on Fridays in Damen, a Bob Ross painting session, and one year, me and my friends even got free tickets to Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up, which was really fun.

2022-2023 Stories!

Claire Creighton
she/her
Senior
Major: Biochemistry

Where are you from?
Rochester, MN

What do you like to do?
I enjoy cooking meals with my friends and trying new restaurants around Chicago. I like working out and walking along the Lake Shore Trail during the warmer seasons! I love having game nights with friends and watching TV series together. I recently finished Kaleidoscope on Netflix and I highly recommend! I love volunteering with kiddos in my free time too!

How are you involved in Community Service & Action?
I have been involved in Community Service & Action since Saturday of Service my first year at Loyola! Since then, I was captivated by the work I saw my peers engaging in, and I wanted to be a part of it! I participated in Loyola4Chicago my first year, volunteering at Jordan Elementary School. My sophomore year I was an LUCserve co-leader on both the Community Partner Engagement and Immigration committees. Junior year I served as a leader for L4C again at Jordan and McCutcheon Elementary schools, and I have been an L4C leader at Centro Romero during my senior year! Every year I have been fortunate enough to participate in Saturday of Service, reminding me of my beginnings in CSA.  

Why do you engage in the community?
I think it’s a gift to be engaged in your community and represents a truly mutually beneficial relationship. When you participate meaningfully in your community, you are rewarded beyond belief with new relationships and resources. I want to see the places I live, work, and study in flourish so that I too may grow.  

How are you involved at Loyola outside of CSA?
Outside of CSA, I just finished my term as president of Alpha Chi Omega, a Panhellenic sorority on campus. I am also a Supplemental Instructor with Tutoring Center, and a mentor in Loyola’s Interdisciplinary Honors Program. I do research on campus in Dr. Burns’ lab, I am a student volunteer advocate for The Line, Loyola’s gender-based violence hotline, and I am in Friends of MSF and NLVS, the New Life Volunteering Society, on campus.  

What is your favorite place on campus?
Damen Student Center! I always see so many friends walking by and love those interactions. There’s always something going on in Damen!

What tips do you have for building and maintaining community in college?  
To build and maintain community at Loyola you need to put in the level of effort you would like to receive in return. Putting yourself out there can be hard, but extremely rewarding! Meet new people, try new things, and community will come naturally.   

What advice would you give to an incoming student at Loyola?
I would tell incoming students to fully embrace all the emotions that come with starting college or transferring to a new college. Acknowledge that your experience is yours alone and try your best not to compare it with your peers’. Make the most of your undergraduate experience in ways that are fulfilling to you.

Josh Arsulowicz
he/him/his
Junior
Major: Supply Chain Management/Finance
Minor: Spanish

Where are you from?
Grand Rapids, Michigan

What do you like to do?
Play basketball, spend time with friends and family, read, watch football and basketball (Go Blers and Go Blue!)

How are you involved in Community Service & Action?
Since the start of my sophomore year, I’ve been involved in Loyola4Chicago.

Why do you engage in the community?
For a few reasons. One, part of my faith as a Christian is the belief that we ought to give back and help those in need. Also, living in a community as diverse and rich as Chicago and Rogers Park inspires me to go out and become more immersed in the community.

What is one of your favorite stories from your community engagement experiences?
Last year, I volunteered at Centro Romero, a primarily Latino after-school program. Once the kids warmed up to me and grew more comfortable with me, they tried to sneak sentences by me in Spanish to their friends or make fun of my Spanish accent (I’m a non-native Spanish speaker---it’s my minor at school). I loved being able to joke and interact with these kids and have them feel comfortable enough to be themselves around me.

How are you involved at Loyola outside of CSA?
I am the Vice President of Men’s Club Basketball, I’m a lector for Mass at Madonna della Strada Chapel, I am member of Alpha Sigma Nu (Jesuit Honors Society), and I am also a part of the Honors College Mentorship Program. Plus, going to basketball games are always at the top of my to-do list.

What is your favorite place on campus?
This is a really tough one, but if I had to pick it would be Gentile Arena. Basketball game days with a packed student section are one of the best parts of being a student here.

What advice would you give to an incoming student at Loyola?
Enjoy the ride! I’m somehow already over halfway through my time here, and it feels like yesterday when I first committed to go to school here. LUC is an incredible place, and do your best to enjoy every second you get here.

Mia Silvestros
She/Her/Hers
Junior
Major: Public Health
Minor: Does Premed count?  

Where are you from?
St. Louis, MO

What do you like to do?
I like to eat, sleep, and spend time with my friends. I’m always up for a good movie, card game, or a dance party!

How are you involved in Community Service & Action?
I am a student leader for the St. Thomas of Canterbury soup kitchen! This is currently my second semester as a student leader, but I have been volunteering at the soup kitchen for about a year and a half. I was a member of the Service and Faith Learning Community when I was a freshman (even though we were online). So, the transition to be a member of CSA was easy.  

Why do you engage in the community?
3 Reasons:
    1. To help those in need
    2. To apply my public health knowledge
    3. To make Chicago feel more like home  

How do you envision living out the call to “Build the Greater Good” after you graduate?
My ultimate plan is to earn my MPH before attending medical school, then going into the primary care field. I absolutely love public health and I hope to work in an underserved community as a doctor to provide health education, health promotion, and increased healthcare equity. If the whole medical school thing doesn’t work out, I’d like to still work in community health as a public health official!  

How are you involved at Loyola outside of CSA?
I like to play intramural volleyball and I am a research assistant for a community health program. I’d like to make it to a Ramblers basketball and volleyball game soon!  

What is your favorite place on campus?
Huge fan of the SES. All my homies stare at the koi.  

What tips do you have for building and maintaining community in college?  
Consistency! It can be hard to make connections and memories if you’re only involved in something once or twice during the year. Find something you really enjoy and stick with it!

Arkhawan Salih
Chief Operating Officer
Forging Opportunities for Refugees in America (FORA)

Bachelor’s degree, Law and Political Science
Master’s degree, International Relations
Certificate of Data Science and Visualization, Northwestern University

Professional Experience:
I have worked in the field of Human Rights Advocacy for most of my career. I worked as a leader in project management and organizational management for more than 15 years in the local and international non-profits organizations both in the Kurdistan region of Iraq and the United States.

Where are you from?
Kurdistan Region of Iraq

What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time, I spend most of my time with my family. I enjoy watching movies and talking with my daughters (12, 17 years old). I also enjoy family and friends outings to fun activities and summer concerts and barbeques in Chicago. Additionally, I enjoy my alone time reading, listening to music, and spending some time in nature.

How would you describe your role at FORA?
My role at Forging Opportunities for Refugees in America (FORA) is to oversee day to day operations, implementation of FORA projects and programs, and monitor the quality of services we provide to our community. In addition, working on developing long term planning and program monitoring and evaluation tools, Hiring employees and building a dedicated team who understand the profound impact of social change and advocacy in the field of human rights generally, and the right to accessible and compatible education for the refugee and SLIFE (Student with Limited and Interrupted Formal Education) students particularly.

Why do you engage in the community?
I believe that each person is responsible to help their community in any way they can. For me, I like to help others not only because it is my responsibility but also because I am very passionate about human rights for all. I am able and willing to engage in and benefit the community by using my skills and experience in multiple fields that I built over the time. I manage programs and organizations that restore rights and freedom to the most marginalized and vulnerable people such as children and youth, women, refugees, Institutionalized people, survivors of domestic violence and abuse, etc.

At FORA, we empower refugee SLIFE children by providing 80 refugee children with daily after-school tutoring. Every student receives two hours a day, five days a week, of individualized foundational tutoring so that academic scaffolding can begin, so that, over time, students can catch up to grade level and, finally, so that school becomes meaningful. We provide more than 35,000 hours of student tutoring a year with a two-to-one or less student-tutor ratio. And this deep commitment leads to amazing results. Additionally, we empower student’s families by becoming a sufficient resource to their children’s academic progress, by helping parents to have access to information they need to understand the US education system and how to get engaged with schools.

What is one of your favorite stories from your experiences with CSA/Loyola4Chicago?

I have many wonderful stories and experiences with Loyal students who support FORA students and programs. I have to mention that FORA’s largest number of tutors comes from Loyola work study, Loyola4Chicago and Loyola volunteers. We are so grateful and appreciative of all the work they do, and how they inspire our students everyday. They come with a high level of professionalism and passion that make them a perfect role model for our students. There were several occasions when work-study students from Loyola decided to continue volunteering at FORA as a tutor even after they completed their work-study program. Many times, Loyola interns, volunteers and tutors left such a positive impact on our programs, students and the team that we were deeply saddened when they left or their programs ended. I have to mention that at FORA we offered a job position to one of the very talented and hardworking Loyola students who currently work as Head of Volunteers Recruitment at FORA. We look forward to expanding our partnership with Loyola as both our organizations promote community values and principles that make the social changes possible.

What is your favorite thing about the work you do?
My favorite part of the work I do is the changes and progress I observe in the education and behavior of the children we serve at FORA. When I see a child who was disengaged and did not have hope for their future only a few months ago, is starting to get involved with their tutors and FORA staff members, ask questions about school programs and college life, getting higher grades at school, attending school every day, and seeing smile on their faces is the most rewarding thing at my work.

What is your favorite place in Rogers Park?
My favorite part of Rogers Park is the diverse and colorful area around Devon as this area contains communities of different origins and faith, great grassroots organizations, and authentic cultural restaurants and stores.

Ade Olu-Ajeigbe
Senior
Major: Bioinformatics; Minor: Computer Science

 
Where are you from?
Chicago, IL

What do you like to do?
I enjoy drawing. I play two instruments - guitar and piano. I also love to cook.

How are you involved in Community Service & Action?
I am the leader of the Wednesday Loyola for Chicago group that works with Big Brothers and Big Sisters in Chicago. We help encourage and mentor the young minds at Jordan Elementary school.

What is one of your favorite stories from your community engagement experiences?
During my time as a volunteer for the pantry, there was a time that a woman needed help carrying food to the bus stop. She had had a horrible week, and this helped her as she needed food for her kids. She explained that she had been experiencing back pain from working long hours and that made everything easier. I think being able to help her in a small way made me realize the impact of even the smallest action.

How do you envision living out the call to “Build the Greater Good” after you graduate?
After graduating, I want to continue working in the community as a volunteer delivering food to individuals who need it. I’m passionate about creating solutions to food insecurity in my local community. I want to continue contributing to the community as a volunteer storing, facilitating, and delivering food to individuals who need it. In addition, I hope I can collaborate in other ways like organizing food drives and raising funds for under-served community pantries.

How are you involved at Loyola outside of CSA?
I work at Lakeview Pantry. It is a great experience helping people be able to obtain food and supporting individuals who need food delivered to them.

What is your favorite place on campus?
I have two favorite places on campus the Quad and Halas. Loyola has a beautiful campus, and the Quad is a great place to take it in and have fun. Halas has so many things to do from rock climbing, swimming, and basketball.  

What tips do you have for building and maintaining community in college?
It starts with being knowledgeable about the needs of the community. From there, the main way to build community in college is to get involved. Finding ways to support the community through clean up, donations, or helping to organize events within community are great places to start. Also, joining clubs on campus with your interests are the best way to explore what you are truly passionate about.  

What advice would you give to an incoming student at Loyola?
Loyola is a wonderful university with multiple opportunities. Try everything! Learn as much as you can! Embrace the culture at Loyola. There are so many great people here that you can grow with from faculty to students.

Bizzy Stephenson
she/her/hers
CSA Community Outreach Coordinator (Staff Member)

What did you study when you were a college student?
B.A. from the University of St. Thomas with majors in English and Justice & Peace Studies and a minor in American Culture & Difference. M.Ed. from Seattle University in Student Development Administration

What do you like to do in your free time?
Sing, watch movies at indie theaters, go on walks and explore the neighborhoods around mine, bike by the lake, read good books.

Where else have you worked?
During graduate school, I worked as a graduate Area Coordinator in Housing and Residence Life.

How would you describe your role with Community Service & Action?
I get to liaison between our incredible community partner organizations and our wonderful student volunteers to facilitate student engagement with community off campus.

What is one of your favorite stories from your experiences with CSA?
Hosting interviews for L4C this year, I got to meet all our volunteers who were so kind, and I got to witness the welcoming leadership of our L4C group leaders. Loyola students keep me hopeful.

What is your favorite thing about the work you do?
I love asking students questions about their experiences, passions, knowledge, and identities.

What is your favorite place on campus?
Does BopNGrill count??

What advice would you give to a student looking to get involved?
Talk to someone like a staff member or upper division student (junior, senior) who does something you think is cool and ask them how you can do it too.

Alexandra Alanis
Junior
Major: Biology, Minor: Spanish

Where are you from?
I am from Chicago, Illinois and I grew up in the Rogers Park area! 

What do you like to do?
Outside of school I really enjoy being outside either bike riding, going on runs or playing soccer and volleyball with friends and family. Moreover, I am trying to learn how to cook new recipes because my family loves gardening and having cookouts.

How are you involved in Community Service & Action?
I started off my involvement in CSA by being a volunteer for L4C (Loyola4Chicago) my sophomore year. It was my most memorable experience at Loyola, being able to connect with the community at Centro Romero. This year I am a student assistant and student leader for L4C!

Why do you engage in the Community?
CSA is such a welcoming community that has made me feel more actively engaged with the Rogers Park neighborhood. I want to dedicate my time to helping minority groups and helping to connect new students to the community. During my time I have met so many amazing mentors and upper-classmen that have given me advice about classes and talked to me about their past experiences at Loyola that make me want to actively keep participating.

How are you involved at Loyola outside of CSA?
Outside of CSA I am involved in Best Buddies which is an organization that creates opportunities to develop leadership and bonds by the one-to-one friendships made between people with and without IDD (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities). It is a wonderful experience to advocate for inclusion and to be educated about the IDD community.

How do you envision living out the call to “Build the Greater Good” after you graduate?
My plans after I graduate are to go to medical school and become a pediatrician. I am passionate about children's health and being dedicated to helping others overcome health and safety struggles. By having experienced language barriers growing up, I want to make an impact on immigrant families who need assistance with communication and receiving the proper help they need to ensure their well-being. 

What advice would you give to an incoming student at Loyola?
Do not be afraid or nervous to reach out to your professors or teaching assistants if you have any questions or want to introduce yourself. Making connections early on will help prepare you for the semester and make it easier to better understand the classes you are taking. Also, as a commuter I would recommend coming into the commuter's room occasionally because they often hand out free food and merchandise and it makes it feel very welcoming for all students in their lounge.

2021-2022 Stories!

Brennan McDonald - Student

Maria Diaz - Student

Hailey Samples - Student

Sumayyah Haider - Student

Ashley Goldsmith - Student

Nhi Duong - Student