If you have not had the chance to get to know Student Body Vice President, Thomas Serena, now’s your chance. Serena, a senior Psychology of Natural Sciences major was kind enough to give us a slice of his free time and share what being a voice to Loyola’s student body truly means to him.
Tell me a little bit about yourself, like what you are studying and what organizations you are involved with?
My name is Thomas Serena and I am currently a senior here at Loyola. I am studying Psychology of Natural Sciences and I hope to start medical school next Fall with the dream of becoming a pediatric oncologist. I am involved in several organizations on campus such as Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Beta Kappa, Psi Chi, Alpha Sigma Nu, Order of Omega, and also the executive boards for both University Senate and the Unified Student Government Association. In addition, I serve on the Board of Trustees committee for Student Development and Success and conduct research in the field of biological neuroscience.
Can you explain a little bit about what your responsibilities are as Vice President?
As Vice President of USGA, I am charged with maintaining all external appointees for USGA such as Board of Trustees and University Senate. In addition, I am responsible for assisting our president in maintaining an effect executive board.
What made you want to get involved with student government?
In my freshman year at Loyola, a friend in my fraternity told our organization that USGA would be hosting internal elections. He has explained that USGA was the voice of the student body, that they exemplified care for our community here at Loyola and sought to evoke change on our campus. Those few words had me hooked, and before I knew it I had climbed the rankings from a senator, to the Chair of Safety and Wellness, to Chief of Student Organizations, and now Vice President of the student body.
What do you hope to accomplish as Vice President during your last semester at Loyola?
During my time as Vice President, I hope to impact the Loyola community through advising and propelling current initiatives amongst our senate. Our organization has been working to protect the rights of underserved populations at Loyola, such as undocumented students and the LGBTQI community. We have been working to engage the student population, letting their voice be heard, and striving to increase community at Loyola. Most importantly, I hope to look back and see that our work has fulfilled the student promise we all make as incoming freshman, striving to care for one’s self, one another, and the community.
What do you love most about Loyola?
What I love most about Loyola is our community. I love that I can’t walk anywhere on campus without being embraced by a hug from a friend. I love how students truly care about one another and love and accept one another for who each person is. I love the administration and I truly believe there is no other school with those that care more for their students. Throughout my years at Loyola, as I am sure with any university, I have had my fair share of financial, emotional, and academic struggles. However, it is the people like Diane Asaro at the Wellness Center who has always been there to listen when I was having a bad day. It is faculty like Dr. May and Dr. Dye who have spent more than enough time in office hours with me helping when I was struggling with different concepts. Administrators such as Edward Moore and Father Garanzini who helped me find a way to stay at Loyola when I couldn’t afford it. I don’t think there is any other school that cares so much about the community placing importance of every single individual. Loyola truly preaches and lives out the Jesuit ideals of being men and women for others and they always strive to help students. Overall, I love Loyola because all of the love that it has given me.
Are you looking forwards to any specific activities or events during the holiday season in Chicago?
This holiday season, I am most looking forward to Christmas on Campus here at Loyola. Maroon & Gold is going to be sponsoring this event where children from inner-city schools will come to campus and be thrown into a winter wonderland. Each year at this event, I find myself surrounded by tons of student organizations and individuals from the Loyola community who donate their time to giving children one special day they may never forget. Everyone comes together in the spirit of Christmas singing, playing games, and truly exemplifying what it means to be a member of the Loyola community. I can’t for Christmas on Campus this year and to take part in this wonderful event with our community.