CSA Stories

Welcome to CSA Stories, where you'll find reflections from our students, staff, alumni, and community partners! Interviews are posted with the more recent at the top.

Young woman smiling while there is text on the left

What is one of your favorite stories from your community engagement experiences?

My favorite memory is of the night before my Ignatian Family Teach-In delegation met with our senators in DC in 2023 to advocate for climate justice and immigration justice. We stayed up so late preparing and practicing our advocacy pitches and we were in the most obscure conference room deep in the basement of our hotel. Everyone was exhausted, laughing deliriously, but we all cared so deeply about the issues we were advocating for and the excitement and nervousness was palpable. The next day we were so ready to meet with our Senators.

A young woman posing in the sunlight with text to her left.

CSA’s motto is “See the Good. Be the Good.” How do you understand or engage that concept?

I see goodness everywhere I look here at Loyola, whether that is through my amazing friends, my peers, or my fellow volunteers! I see good in the people who put their best foot forward in everything they do. Every day I get to talk to people who are kind, caring individuals that aim to put a smile on others faces. Seeing all this goodness around me inspires me to be a better person every day!

photo of young woman while holding her face, and there is text to her left.

What advice would you give to an incoming student at Loyola?

EXPLORE Loyola!! There's so much the institution has to offer - all you have to do is explore! Get involved, stay connected, and find your community. Ask questions when in doubt, participate fully, and build strong relationships with your professors. Most importantly, remember that earning your degree is the goal, so make the most out of your college experience!

What is one of your favorite stories from your experiences with community engagement?

Last year I went with some colleagues to volunteer at the St. Thomas of Canterbury Soup Kitchen, where I helped serve food and drinks to community members experiencing food insecurity. Working with other volunteers to provide neighbors in need a warm, comforting meal on a cold winter night gave me a sense of connection to my community that I hadn’t ever experienced. I hope to go again at some point this upcoming year!

What is your past service experience?

At Loyola, I was a leader for Loyola4Chicago. Through my experience with CSA, I was lucky to learn at several different community sites and was welcomed as a member into each I visited! This experience allowed me the chance to explore diverse aspects of community work, which was crucial to my growth as a college student. I now work full-time as an art instructor at a community site I was introduced to by L4C itself!

Where have you found Loyola’s mission alive in your time at Loyola?

I see it every day on campus. I see it in the professors I cherish like Dr. Irwin in Philosophy and Dr. Guy in psychology. I see it in my friends who make time to love and serve each other. I see it in the faith communities on campus who love each other with the help of God regardless of background. Lastly, I see it in the whole student body who calls for not only campus justice, but worldly justice.

Young woman posing while sitting down and there is text to the left.

Why do you engage in the community?

I have always loved volunteering and helping others, so becoming a part of CSA was a top priority of mine at the beginning of my freshman year. Volunteering continuously allows me to become more comfortable within my community and get so much fulfillment from meeting new people and seeing parts of my community that I may have never seen or been a part of if not for volunteering.