April 2015
About
Department/School/Division: Student Diversity & Multicultural Affairs
Campus: Lake Shore Campus
Years at Loyola: 4
What is your favorite thing about working at Loyola?
The people at Loyola give me reason to feel grateful that I work here. I genuinely look forward to coming to work each day because I know that my contributions to my team, students and campus are valued. The SDMA team operates like a family and so we often share in the excitement of our students’ success. By the same token, we also find comfort in coming together with our fellow Rambler community during times of tragedy.
The students who comprise the SDMA Leaders group of peer mentors, interns, and scholars operationalize the values of our University’s mission. They inspire and motivate me to be the best resource and advocate that I can be for them. There is something very special about the care and concern shown for others here at Loyola.
What is your most memorable achievement as a Loyola employee?
Being nominated by students for a Damen Staff Award last year was pretty special. It was the first year in my role within Student Diversity & Multicultural Affairs and the nomination signified an affirmation of my decision to follow this career path into higher education and multicultural affairs. As a Mexican-American, first-generation college graduate, the work I do is deeply personal and so to be acknowledged by the students I serve is humbling and rewarding.
What does Loyola's mission mean to you?
I’ve been influenced by Jesuit education since my days at Georgetown as a first-generation student living far from my hometown of San Antonio. The values of my alma mater and Loyola align with my personal values so it is not surprising that I feel so comfortable and inspired here. Although I work in student diversity, I do not consider myself to be an expert on the topic of social justice. I stress to students and colleagues that I am always learning and growing in my own identity development. I can easily relate to individuals who are treated unfairly for being different from the social “norm,” however I can also appreciate now where I hold privilege. Given my privileged identities as a heterosexual, cisgender male, with a college education, I know that I have a responsibility to confront oppression when I see it which is why I feel so passionate about the work of my department. The new strategic plan for Loyola has a strong emphasis on social justice so I look forward to see ways that our current initiatives will take on new meaning with the buy-in from all areas of the University.
What motivates you to succeed each and every day?
My wife and son give me so much life and motivation to be the best person that I can be each day. Additionally, the students at Loyola especially those who represent underserved populations inspire me to educate, advocate, and perform at the highest level. The persistence of oppressive policies, laws, beliefs and attitudes that marginalize people also serve as a reminder that the work of my department and University colleagues is necessary.
Tell us how you show your Rambler pride.
I show my Rambler pride in many different ways. I wear my maroon & gold and Loyola gear throughout the year. I serve on the Family Weekend Planning Committee and other groups to highlight the great community of students, staff, and faculty we have at Loyola. More importantly, I address the needs of Ramblers and collaborate with campus partners with passion and positivity!
Tell us something most people at Loyola would be surprised to know about you.
In another life, I think I would love to be a back-up singer and/or dancer touring with an R&B group. I’m a huge fan of music and though I don’t pretend to have a great voice, I think it would be fun to perform in front of audiences with artists like Maxwell, Bell Biv DeVoe, or Alicia Keys.
