The Welcome Pack: Diversity and Social Justice (Spring 2024)
Subject line: Living in Community With and for Others
At Loyola, we pride ourselves on our commitment to fostering critical thinking, developing servant leaders, and providing an inclusive space for all. We don’t just talk about it—we live it. Every day. In fulfillment of our mission as a Catholic, Jesuit institution, we welcome students of diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. By ingraining our values into all that we do, we help prepare our students to be people for and with others.
Our rankings and stats reflect this:
- The Princeton Review ranked us among the best schools in the nation for diversity and inclusivity
- 48% of Loyola undergraduates identify as members of historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups
- 32% of all undergraduates are the first generation in their family to attend college
- 13+ different religious identities are represented by our undergraduate class
- Loyola students come from more than 52 different countries
But at Loyola, diversity is about more than our statistics alone. We strive to give every student the tools and resources to thrive, feel respected, and empower others.
Diversity in Action
Some of our student organizations to get involved and form connections, and be in community include:
- Black Student Union (BSU): Join one of the largest organizations on campus, dedicated to fostering inclusion through events, activities, and service to the community.
- Ignatian Life Communities (ILCs): Meet weekly in small groups to reflect on your faith in all facets of your life, including groups for LGBTQ+ and Latinx students.
- International Student Association (ISA): Promote international cultures across campus and engage with students from around the world.
- Loyola Asian Student Association (LASO): Advocate for Asian cultures and cultivate unification of people of all backgrounds and ethnicities.
- Muslim Student Association (MSA): Foster interfaith and cultural understanding and create a safe place for dialogue that is open to Muslim and non-Muslim students.
- Plus+: Advance inclusivity at Loyola and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community.
For more ways to get involved, browse our student engagement platform HowlConnnect!
You Belong Here
While we are proud of the steps our students, faculty, and staff have taken to help build an inclusive and informed campus, we also know the work is not done. Here are some of the offices and departments on campus dedicated to helping us make meaningful change within our community.
- Loyola’s department of Multicultural Student Affairs leads student-centered efforts to promote understanding of and appreciation for diversity, equity, and inclusion. At Loyola, we believe that diversity alone is not enough—it’s our goal to create a space where all Loyola students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors feel welcomed, included, supported, and recognized equitably.
- The One Loyola Multicultural Resource Center provides a welcoming space for students to be their full authentic selves. The center is located in room 132 of the Danna Student Center and is a central hub of activity. Students can stop by for a study break or reserve the space for student-led meetings and events.
- The Loyola Women’s Resource Center (WRC) was founded in 1975 and was the first university women's center established in Louisiana. Today, the WRC advances intersectional feminism through programming, activism, and advocacy. It is open to all members of the Wolf Pack—because feminism is for everyone. Follow WRC on Instagram @wrcloyola to learn more!
- The Office for Accessible Education (OAE) is here to help students make a smooth transition to college, from modifications to accommodations for students who had an individualized education plan in high school. OAE’s Accessibility Counselors can help students determine what accommodations they will need. Students can request support and adjustments with OAE.