COMPASS (Community Opportunities Map. Promoting and Advancing Student Service.)
Words + Deeds for the Common Good
As a Jesuit university, we are committed to open, rigorous, and vigorous academic discourse—one that seeks truth, justice, and peace—as well as ethical action that makes a difference. As St. Ignatius wrote in his Spiritual Exercises, love must be shown in both words and deeds. We continually ask ourselves: How can we cultivate a community that embraces our diverse wholeness while fostering honest and respectful dialogue on the issues that divide us? And how does this commitment translate into ethical citizenship and action—both in the United States and across the globe?
What is it?
COMPASS (Community Opportunities Map. Promoting and Advancing Student Service.)
This initiative is inspired by Together We Rise, our strategic plan that seeks to cultivate a community of belonging and care for our common home. This initiative is specifically designed for Loyola students, and it has two goals:
Goal 1: Community
Cultivate honest, ethical, and respectful dialogue that bridges our differences and fosters ethical action.
Goal 2: Citizenship
Engage in actions that help us grow into more responsible citizens, both in the United States and around the world.
Civic and Community Engagement Map
Loyola students come to campus wanting to make a difference. We believe, as our vision statement says, that we are “the best place in the world from which to change the world.” However, sometimes it can be hard to know how to get started and where to focus your efforts. This civic and community engagement map—COMPASS (Community Opportunities Map. Promoting and Advancing Student Service.)—helps students engage and grow year by year, refining their words and actions to bring about positive change.
If you have any questions about this map, please email ccsjassist@loyola.edu.
First Year: Explore
As a first-year student, there is much to encounter and explore. Use the guide below to map out your year and plan how you want to utilize the rest of your time at Loyola, in Baltimore, and beyond.
Encounter through Classes & Programs
- Enroll in community-engaged learning designated courses
- Participate in Experience Baltimore
- Take a Messina class focused on Baltimore
- Sign-up for a retreat
- Join student community and civic focused clubs
Reflect & Evaluate through Mentoring & Training
- Write a vision statement outlining your civic & community engagement goals
- Speak with a faculty member to learn about civic & community engagement
- Complete Community Engagement Training
Experience & Act for the common good in civic & community service engagement
Civic Engagement
- Speak with a Loyola Votes Ambassador
- Participate in the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice
- Participate in Advocacy in Action
- Participate in Coffee & the Courts discussions
- Engage with the Loyola Student Leadership Corps
Community Service
- Set up a time to meet with a CCSJ member
- Attend a Community Engagement Fair
- Volunteer for community service on the Bridge
- Participate in York Road Community Days
- Request a Tour of the Govans Neighborhood (through CCSJ)
Second Year: Engage
Use this year to refine your focus and apply for fellowships, study abroad, and scholarship opportunities.
Encounter through Classes & Programs
- Enroll in community-engaged learning designated courses
- Attend academic lectures related to community and civic engagement
- Sign-up for an immersion experience
- Sign-up for a retreat
- Join student civic and community focused clubs
- Attend events offered by Peace and Justice Studies
Reflect & Evaluate through Mentoring, Training, & Research
- Review your vision statement
- Speak with a faculty member about majors and minors that fit within your civic & community interests
- Attend a community engagement and/ or civic engagement seminar or conference
- Apply for a Kolvenbach Grant
- Apply for a Peace and Justice Grant
Experience & Act for the common good in community service & civic engagement
Civic Engagement
- Apply to be a Loyola Votes Ambassador
- Participate in the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice
- Participate in Advocacy in Action Events
- Participate in Coffee & the Courts Discussions
- Engage with the Loyola Student Leadership Corps
Community Service
- Apply to be a CCSJ intern
- Volunteer for community service on the Bridge
- Participate in York Road Community Days
- Intern at a local nonprofit
Third Year: Envision
This year deepen your knowledge and your impact through study abroad and immersion programs, research projects, and more targeted civic and community engagements.
Encounter through Classes & Programs
- Enroll in community-engaged learning designated courses
- Attend academic lectures
- Sign-up for an immersion experience
- Sign-up for a retreat
- Join student civic and community focused clubs
Reflect & Evaluate through Mentoring, Training, & Research
-
Review your vision statement
-
Attend a seminar or conference on civic/ community engagement
-
Connect your civic/ community work to a capstone project
- Ask a faculty member to nominate you for the Newman Civic Fellowship
Experience & Act for the common good in community service & civic engagement
Civic Engagement
- Apply to be a Loyola Votes Ambassador
- Participate in the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice
- Participate in Advocacy in Action Events
- Participate in Coffee & the Courts Discussions
- Engage with the Loyola Student Leadership Corps
Community Service
- Apply to be a CCSJ intern
- Volunteer for community service on the Bridge
- Participate in York Road Community Days
- Join a board of advisors or intern with a board of trustees
Fourth Year: Transform
Congratulations on reaching your fourth year! As you look ahead to graduation, take a moment to reflect on the incredible civic and community engagement skills that you’ve developed. Think about how you can carry these experiences forward, shaping your next steps and making a lasting impact wherever your journey takes you.
Encounter through Classes & Programs
- Enroll in community-engaged learning designated courses
- Attend academic lectures
- Sign-up for an immersion experience
- Sign-up for a retreat
- Join student civic and community focused clubs
Reflect & Evaluate through Mentoring, Training, & Research
- Review your vision statement
- Ask a faculty member to write a letter of recommendation for graduate school or job
- Finish your civic/ community work capstone project
- Apply to the Jesuit Volunteer Network, VISA AmeriCorps, or Peace Corps
Experience & Act for the common good in community service & civic engagement
Civic Engagement
- Apply to be a Loyola Votes Ambassador
- Participate in the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice
- Participate in Advocacy in Action Events
- Participate in Coffee & the Courts Discussions
- Engage with the Loyola Student Leadership Corps
Community Service
- Apply to be a CCSJ intern
- Volunteer for community service on the Bridge
- Participate in York Road Community Days
- Intern at a local nonprofit
- Plan how you will use philanthropy in civic and community engagement