Student: Hannah Jaghab

How were you involved in Community Service & Action as a student?

I started volunteering with Loyola 4 Chicago in my Sophomore year. I continued with the program as a group leader until I graduated. By chance/ luck, I volunteered at FORA all six semesters that I was in L4C!

Why do you engage in the Community? 

In a city as large as Chicago, it can be difficult to feel at home. Volunteering with CSA allowed me to build a meaningful connection to the community around me. That sense of familiarity brought so much comfort, friendship, and fondness toward the neighborhoods surrounding Loyola. 

CSA's motto is "See the Good. Be the Good." How do you understand or engage the concept?

It is easy to fall into a cycle of complaining. Everyone talks about having a "positive outlook," but the only real way to get there is through gratitude. When you notice the good, you reflect on it and feel grateful. Then you pay it forward. Doing this without judgement is a way that I find value in my actions. 

What is your favorite place on campus? 

The lake! Something is grounding about being close to such a large body of water. I loved the beach days, picnics, and late-night swims.

What advice would you give to current Loyola students? 

Be kind... warmth and care for others will take you a long way.

What are you doing now?

I'm a second-year dental student at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry!

Is there a particular moment from your time at Loyola that influences you now? 

Not a moment, but a class. My senior year, I took an anthropological decolonization course that fundamentally changed the way I view society and the world we live in. Loyola offers so many unique courses that I may never have discovered if not for curriculum requirements. I am grateful to have learned about these topics, and I encourage all students to make the most of their education!

What do you miss about being a student? 

I really miss the diversity that comes with being a student in a big city. Having constant access to people outside my major and school was amazing. There was so much to learn, see, and do. I am very grateful to Loyola (and especially CSA) for providing avenues to connect with the Chicago community.