Office of Student Affairs
Welcome
Greetings! The Office of Student Affairs team provides Stritch physicians-in-training with a variety of information (including Stritch policies, services, and resources) and we support and guide students, through their academic and personal journeys as they navigate the successful completion of medical school.
That guidance is available for individuals as well as entire classes -- in many forms and at various times throughout the year. For example, we host several presentations to provide guidance for each class, we are available for one-on-ones and we connect students with career advising and other resources they may need to achieve their success.
Our mission: provide the highest quality service and support to physicians-in-training. We are a dedicated team of student affairs professionals who believe in caring for the whole person and demonstrating compassion in our work. Medical school is difficult and we encourage physicians-in-training to get to know members of our team. A great demonstration of strength is to seek help when you need it -- rather than waiting until the last minute. Our core values are advocacy, service, professionalism, excellence, diversity & inclusion, and stewardship. We embrace our Jesuit values of spirituality, discernment, compassion, and social justice. Our guiding principles are teamwork, collaboration, integrity, commitment, and promoting student success at all times.
Best Regards,
James G. Mendez, PhD

James G. Mendez, Ph.D.
Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs
(708) 216-8140
MEET THE STUDENT AFFAIRS TEAM

Lupe Zarco, MA
Assistant Director for M3 and M4 Physicians-in-training
gzarco@luc.edu (708) 216-8617
Lupe is the primary contact and advisor for all M3 and M4 physicians-in-training. Lupe implements programs and services to support student progress, career planning, and wellness.
Contact Lupe with questions about:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) Review
- Request an Excused Absence
- Academic Policy Questions
- Careers in Medicine
- Summer Opportunities

Tina Marino, MA
Assistant Director for M1 and M2 Physicians-in-training
tmarino@luc.edu (708) 216-4935
Tina is the primary contact and advisor for all M1 and M2 physicians-in-training. She implements programs and services to support student progress, career planning, and wellness.
Contact Tina with questions about:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) Review
- Request an Excused Absence
- Academic Policy Questions
- Careers in Medicine
- Summer Opportunities

Haydeé R. Nauert, MSF
Assistant Dean, Medical Student Administration
hnauert@luc.edu (708) 216-3137
Haydee oversees day-to-day operations of the Office of Student Affairs, affiliation agreements, and budgets for the Office of Student Affairs and the Office of Medical Education.

Callie Thompson, BA
Executive Administrative Assistant
cthompson26@luc.edu (464) 220-9327
Callie provides administrative support to the Office of Student Affairs deans. She schedules all meetings for the OSA Deans and Dean Nauert, assists with the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE) letters, and documents for Match Day and commencement.
Common reasons to contact Callie:
- To schedule appointments with an Office of Student Affairs Dean; check in with Callie when you arrive for a scheduled appointment
- Assist students to obtain partial funding for presentation of research projects at professional conferences
- Answer general Student Affairs inquiries
Meet the Team in the Office of Registration & Records
Agape and her team manage all student records throughout the student's tenure at Stritch and manage course and clerkship schedules.
Common reasons to contact Agape:
- Questions regarding your student file, grades, and evaluations
- Enrollment in courses and clerkships (required and elective)
- Academic calendar
- Degree requirements, transcripts, diplomas, licensure
- Commencement
Rosemary (Rose) Calcagno
Registration Specialist
rcalcag@luc.edu (708) 216-3222
Karen processes away rotation applications through VSAS and Non-VSAS and assists with processing grades for away rotations. She also works with visiting students from U.S. and international medical schools who would like to complete a rotation at Loyola University Medical Center (LUMC).
Contact Rose with questions about:
- Away Rotations
- Good Standing Letter Request
- Transcript Request
- Verification of Enrollment
- NBME Certification of Enrollment Forms
- Visiting Students
- EPIC and Workday access

Beckett Costello
Records Coordinator
bcostello1@luc.edu (464) 220-9325
Claire coordinates student records. She processes licensure forms, education verifications, transcript requests, diploma replacements, and other student requests.
Contact Claire with questions about:
- Licensure Forms
- Education Verification
- Transcript Request
- Good Standing Letter Request
- NBME Certification of Enrollment Forms
- Loan Deferment Form
- Diploma Replacement
Office of Admissions Team

Darrell Nabers, MSc
Assistant Dean for Admissions and Recruitment
dnabers@luc.edu (708) 216-5326
Dean Nabers is the primary recruitment and committee administrator for all members of the committee on admissions. He oversees and manages the Office of Admissions and Recruitment efforts. He also works with the Office of Student Life.
Common reasons to contact Dean Nabers:
- Recruitment of prospective students or advocating on behalf of candidates
- Direction of admissions process and procedures
- Information about serving on Admissions committees
- Second Look
Josephine Navas
Admissions Counselor
jnavas@luc.edu (708) 216-5325
Josephine manages regional recruitment and the admissions application process. She also oversees admissions committees for Stritch physicians-in-training, faculty, and staff.
Common reasons to contact Josephine:
- Scheduling a Stritch visit
- Recruitment opportunities or campus visits
- Applicant counseling
- Interview day scheduling and questions
- Training and onboarding committee members
Office of Student Life Team

Catherine Jardien, MA
Assistant Director
cjardien@luc.edu (708) 216-3872
Catherine oversees student events, activities, and organizations.
Common reasons to contact Catherine:
- Student Event Planning & Coordination
- Medical Student Union & Student Organizations
- Student Organization Fundraising
- Student Wellness
- ASPIRE summer programs
Sabrina Bynum, MHA
Student Life Coordinator
sbynum@luc.edu (708) 216-2484
Sabrina assists with student events, activities, and organizations.
Common reasons to contact Sabrina:
- Student Event Planning & Coordination
- Medical Student Union & Student Organizations
- Student Organization Fundraising
- Student Wellness
- ASPIRE summer programs
Office of Financial Aid Team

Julia Jenkins, Director of Student Affairs
Director
ssomfinaid@luc.edu (464) 220-
Julia advises all medical students regarding all aspects of student financial aid. She also conducts financial aid presentations throughout the academic year and meets with all M1s for their mandatory, individual budget planning session.
Contact Julia with questions about:
- Federal & Private Loans
- Institutional Loans & Scholarships
- Financing Options
- Loan Repayment
- Leave of Absence
- Budgeting

Sean Griffin
Financial Aid
ssomfinaid@luc.edu (464) 220-
Sean advises all medical students and conducts financial literacy presentations and programs.
Contact Sean with questions about:
- Federal & Private Loans
- Financing Options
- Financial Literacy
- Military Options
- FAFSA Completion
- Budgeting
Office of Bursar Team

Laura Zaucha
Assistant Bursar
lzaucha@luc.edu (708) 216-3228
Laura is responsible for billing tuition and fees, collecting payments, processing refunds, and administration of Loyola’s Student Health Insurance plan.
Common reasons to contact Laura:
- Questions regarding bills and payment
- Student Health Insurance