Student: Eman Rana
Eman Rana
she/her
Class of 2027 - Psychology, with Philosophy minor
Where are you from?
Glen Carbon, IL! (Five hours south of campus)
What do you like to do?
I love to work out and move my body! I also love watching movies, reading, and trying new restaurants with friends!
How are you involved in Community Service & Action?
I participate in Loyola4Chicago (L4C) and volunteer at FORA!
Why do you engage in the community?
When I came to a completely new city, I was blown away by the community focus on and off campus in Chicago. Seeing that, I knew I needed to give back to the city that welcomed me so warmly my freshman year!
What is one of your favorite stories from your community engagement experiences?
One of my first days at FORA, I was working with a few middle school girls. One of the girls just had a really hard day at school and didn’t want to focus or be present. I took her to the back and we “shook it out” aka wiggling our arms and legs for a few seconds. She ended up smiling and I think it changed her perspective on the night. Being able to change things up for these kids when things get hard really warmed my heart.
CSA's motto is See the Good. Be the Good. How have you engaged that concept?
Every single tutor I met at FORA really loved those kids! I saw goodness every time I stepped through those doors. Even the front desk always smiled and engaged with the kids. Most of the tutors were college students like me who could have been doing homework or hanging out with friends but the fact that they chose helping some kids for a few hours (on a Friday night too!) really shows the goodness in all of the staff and tutors at FORA.
How are you involved at Loyola outside of CSA?
I am in the Loyola Symphony! I also do research in a few psychology research labs which takes up most of my time! New this year I am going to be a retreat leader with campus ministry! I am also on the executive board of the psych association, LUPA! As if I don’t do enough, I also am a mentor in the honors program.
What is your favorite place on campus?
Coffey Hall! It’s where my research is housed. I always feel welcomed in that building- like I belong there.
What tips do you have for building and maintaining community in college?
If you can find a club or activity you really love, the friends will come naturally! Community makes college such a fantastic experience. When you’re a freshman, just try everything!! Make sure you schedule time for the ones you love and cherish in college as well!
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.
What makes you most excited for the upcoming semester?
I am just excited to get back to campus and start my routine again! I’m beyond excited to meet the new first years and transfer students and to mentor and care for them. I can’t wait to see my friends and make new ones in classes. The thing I’m most excited for, however, is getting back into the classroom and lab and to be a student and researcher once again.
What advice would you give to an incoming student at Loyola?
Try everything! Go to Saturday of service, do the welcome week activities, talk to people in the dining hall and the people sitting next to you on the first day of class! It is so scary at first but know that everyone else is scared that first week so might as well be scared together, right?