Staff Profiles
Professional Staff
| Sadika Sulaiman Hara | ||
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Director Department of Student Diversity & Multicultural Affairs Phone: 773.508.3335 E-mail: ssulaimanhara@luc.edu |
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| Sadika Sulaiman Hara received her M.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration from the University of Vermont and her B.A. in Religious Studies with an emphasis in Islam from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Sadika’s professional experiences include work in Multicultural Affairs at San Jose State University, Admissions work at Stanford University, as well as many fun years in Residential Life at Mills College, the University of Vermont and UC Santa Barbara. Her research and presentation work includes understanding the experience and providing support for Muslim Student’s post 9/11, making meaning of the graduate Student of Color experience, and support and retention of first generation college students. Sulaiman Hara published her piece, Beyond the Rhetoric: “Supporting” Graduate Students of Color in the Vermont Connection Journal in 2005. Sadika continues to pursue her passion in working with historically underrepresented students, while working to provide educational opportunities for students to develop and expand cultural competency. Sadika and her family are thrilled and honored to be joining the Loyola University Chicago community. | ||
| Jason Chan | ||
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Coordinator STARS Program and Freedom Ride ABI Phone: 773.508.3948 E-mail: jchan3@luc.edu |
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| Jason oversees the S.T.A.R.S. program, a peer mentorship program for underrepresented first-year students, in addition to leading the Freedom Ride Alternative Break Immersion (ABI) each spring and supporting the office’s various diversity and social justice initiatives. Prior to Loyola, Jason served as the Director of Scholar & Alumni Programs at the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF)/Gates Millennium Scholars Program, where he advised scholarship recipients and oversaw a portfolio of academic success and leadership development programs. Jason has also advised student organizations and student leaders at the University of Maryland-College Park, and served as an AmeriCorps volunteer and staff member at City Year, a national non-profit community service organization. Through all his experiences, he has developed a strong appreciation of diversity and social justice, and is committed to supporting, empowering, and advocating for college students of all backgrounds and experiences. Jason has an M. Ed. in College Student Personnel from the University of Maryland-College Park, and a B.A. in Psychology and Biological Basis of Behavior from the University of Pennsylvania. | ||
| Miguel Macias | ||
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Coordinator Safe Space Ally Training, Men of Color Initiative and Men's Project Phone: 773.508.3929 E-mail: mmacias2@luc.edu |
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Miguel is a Program Coordinator working with the men’s initiatives and LGBTQIA programming and outreach for the Department of Student Diversity & Multicultural Affairs (SDMA). Miguel oversees and provides leadership for the Men’s Project, a project that explores masculinity and gender related issues and the redefinition of manhood from the lens of social justice. Miguel also oversees the Black Men’s Initiative, a retention and leadership program that strives to empower our men of color to excel and grow in their educational experience while developing their leadership skills with the end goal of graduating and preparing them for post graduation. Miguel will also be leading the Safe Space and Ally Development for the Loyola University along with other LGBTQIA programs and initiatives. Before Joining the SDMA team, Miguel Macias served as a Graduate Assistant with the Office of Multicultural Affairs at Seattle University. In his position he worked with LGBTQIA programming and served as a main contact for students who needed institutional or community LGBTQIA resources and mentorship. In his time at Seattle University, Miguel took the Jesuit philosophy of “Cura Personalis” care for the entire person and took it on as his own. Through his experiences as a first-generation Mexican-American and son of immigrants, Miguel is committed to promoting social justice and dignity for all people through the means of higher education. Miguel Macias graduated with his B.S. in Sociology from Washington State University, and his M.Ed. in Student Development Administration from Seattle University. |
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| Nichole Faith Smith | ||
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Coordinator LUCES, Empowerment Pipeline and Social Justice Dinner Dialogue Series Phone: 773.508.8849 E-mail: nsmith11@luc.edu |
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Nichole is a Program Coordinator working on social justice, diversity, and leadership initiatives in the Department of Student Diversity & Multicultural Affairs (SDMA). In addition to supporting the department's social justice, diversity, leadership, and retention initiatives, Nichole oversees the Empowerment Pipeline program, a social justice outreach program aimed at intentionally steering local underrepresented high school students to create and direct their personal paths toward attending college, as well as the Loyola University Chicago Empowering Sisterhood (LUCES) program which is a retention program with the goal of increasing leadership efficacy and wellness among Loyola’s female students of color. Before joining SDMA, Nichole served as an academic advisor in the African American Academic Network at the University of Illinois at Chicago where she advised African American students and developed academic success and social programs. Nichole’s experiences have led her to develop a passion for social justice and diversity advocacy and education that validates the many experiences and perspectives of college students and affirms development of their cultural and social identities. Nichole has an M. Ed. in Higher Education from Loyola University Chicago, and a B.S. in Journalism and Public Relations from Ohio University. |
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| Gabriela Ortiz | ||
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Administrative Assistant Department of Student Diversity & Multicultural Affairs Phone: 773.508.3909 E-mail: gortiz1@luc.edu |
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Gaby is the Administrative Assistant of the Department of Student Diversity & Multicultural Affairs. She received her Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of Chicago. Gaby has worked with community organizations and theater companies in and out of Chicago to develop and facilitate leadership, community organizing, and arts education programs for youth. She is passionate about theater as a tool for education and empowerment, social justice issues, and media reform. Gaby enjoys working with students and is happy to be a part of the Loyola family. |
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Graduate Staff
| Joe J. Palencia | ||
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Graduate Assistant |
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| Joe graduated in 2011 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a BA in Communication & Latina/o Studies. While at the University of Illinois, Joe worked as a Multicultural Advocate where he fostered diversity, multiculturalism, and social justice within the residence hall community through community and staff development, education, celebration, and dialogue. Joe also worked at La Casa Cultural Latina where he collaborated with other staff members to promote a welcoming and dynamic atmosphere through the development and execution of educational, cultural, political, and social programs. Joe's unique experiences, undergraduate coursework, and work history all sparked his interest in pursuing a career in Student Affairs. Joe is currently pursuing his Masters in Higher Education at Loyola University Chicago. Joe serves as the Graduate Assistant for the Department of Student Diversity and Multicultural Affairs. Joe is thrilled about working with S.T.A.R.S, Loyola's mentoring program for underrepresented students and supporting the mission, vision, and promise of Loyola University Chicago. | ||
| Laura Bohórquez García | ||
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Graduate Assistant |
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| Laura was born in Mexico City and grew up in Brewster, a small rural agricultural town in central Washington. She graduated from Western Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in American Cultural Studies and Spanish and a minor in Women Studies. Her passion towards social justice has lead her to advocate for the DREAM Act, the attainment of higher education and the representation of underrepresented communities. At Western she had the opportunity to work with high school students at conferences as a mentor. While there, she also had the privilege to intern for the office of admissions and the Center for Education, Equity and Diversity. As an activist she learned that it is not just about being an ally but also about being an advocate. One of the things that keeps her passion lit is the appreciation and support of her family and friends as well as the youth that she has worked with. The impact that her community has made, regardless of the barriers and expectations, helps her stay positive. Laura believes that many struggles and perhaps individuals who are not supportive will always lay ahead but it is important to keep in mind that whatever we want to achieve is possible, "Si Se Puede!" Yes you can and the next time you see that struggle or individual you will be able to say, "Si Se Pudo!" | ||
