Loyola University Chicago

School of Communication

Mosaic Magazine

‌Loyola's School of Communication encourages students to be involved with their surrounding community and issues concerning social justice. Students research and develop story ideas, conduct interviews, take photos, design the website and hard copy editions, while striving to promote issues of social justice in Chicago.

Students in the COMM 315 Advanced Reporting class generate stories and photos every fall for the new edition. The following spring semester the COMM 328 Magazine Design and Production class designs the print and online publication. The classes offer practical training for students interested in reporting for newspapers, TV and radio.

Mosaic 2023: The Civics Issue


Advisor's note

Dear Readers,

Welcome to the 20th anniversary issue of Mosaic Magazine. 

 This year’s issue focuses on civic engagement and politics, with our students covering everything from Gen Z voting trends to community organizations to individual people trying to make the world a little bit better. This issue exemplifies the history of this student-run publication’s dedication to reporting on social justice issues that affect Loyola and its surrounding communities. 

 Mosaic started in 2003 in instructor John Slania’s Feature and Opinion writing class. Slania felt the high-quality student articles on social justice issues needed to be published. Students came up with the name “Mosaic” to reflect the diverse social justice topics they were covering. Students were assigned various editing, photography and design roles. Slania and each student threw $20 in a hat, and the $400 raised was used to publish a modest black and white magazine at a local Kinkos store. 

 From there, Mosaic grew in reputation and sophistication. In the proceeding years, students raised money by selling advertisements in the magazine. Instructor Jessica Brown’s Magazine Design and Production class created glossy color editions of Mosaic, filled with engaging photos, graphics and a professional design. 

 Over the years, the annual editions of Mosaic have covered important social issues such as healthcare, education, racism, gender equality, gun control, domestic violence and homelessness. Mosaic has grown to become a well-known magazine found in dorms, classrooms and offices across Loyola’s campuses. 

 As you read through this year’s issue, we hope you will be inspired by the work these future journalists are doing, as well as the ways in which people and communities work to make Chicago a more just and inclusive city. 

Sincerely, 

Jessica Brown and John Slania

 

Past Projects‌

Above: Students of the fall 2021 writing staff of the Mosaic Magazine course produced a video for the class. It features four student-run organizations offered at Loyola University Chicago's School of Communication.