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ALANA has been a massive part of my Loyola experience. As I began my first year at Loyola, I found myself feeling a bit isolated coming out of COVID and coming to a new environment. During my sophomore year, I began attending MESA (Middle Eastern and South Asian Student Alliance) events, because a friend and former president of the club pushed me to attend. As I began attending, I found students from similar backgrounds and felt at home because my Indian cultural background is pivotal to my identity and I grew up immersed in it, from traditional clothing to festivals and food. I love that ALANA celebrates not only events from my background, but all backgrounds. I’ve enjoyed attending and experiencing other cultures’ events as well and I found deep connection to other ALANA students. This has helped me gain the confidence to get more involved, and even become the Co-President of MESA!

ALANA was one of the main reasons why I stayed at Loyola. They made me feel welcome and made me feel at home. I go to the CIE, and I feel like I can go to Ms. Raven’s, Denni's, and Jason’s office with whatever I want to talk about or if I have any questions. On top of that, the CIE is basically where I live. As a commuter, it’s where I eat, study, hangout with my good friends and even take naps on the grey couch. To touch on the most important part of ALANA though, the student led organizations, during my freshman year I was able to express my culture and learn about plenty of other cultures through the events that they all hold. I am a part of the Asian Cultural Alliance executive board under ALANA. The reason why I joined and why I stayed here at Loyola, was not to gain a title to put on my resume, but to help spread culture around this institute.

I was first introduced to the ALANA office and all of their resources as an incoming freshman. I participated in the pre-fall program MAP, where I was able to meet other first years and upperclassmen, but also Jason Summers, Ms. Raven, and Dennis. Fast forward to now, my junior year of college, I have had all three of the directors of ALANA  and their amazing Graduate Assistants, as mentors working closely with them through my role as the Vice President of the Black Student Association, AMP mentor, Peer Mentor Coordinator, and as a MAP Navigator. Sister to Sister, an affinity space for women of color, was something that I ventured to try as a freshman by myself and have been able to find faculty members and other girls around campus to foster a better sense of community. And ³Ù³ó²¹³Ù’s what ALANA is to me-- a community of well-rounded individuals who want to see you succeed and for that I am forever grateful.   

ALANA has been a safe haven for me since attending Loyola. It provides a space where I can express my African American culture while also learning about others.

As a first-generation college student, my journey has not been easy. At times, I feel overwhelmed and stressed, but the ALANA staff consistently supports me academically and emotionally. They serve as a vital support system, especially during moments when I feel isolated in my classes or on the larger campus.

ALANA creates a welcoming environment where I can connect with students from similar and diverse backgrounds—people who relate to and understand me.

I am deeply grateful for ALANA's existence because it offers students of color and those from non-white cultures a space to build a strong community outside of predominantly white environments.