Lauren E. Smith
YOTC Mission Statement

The Year of the City mission centers on collaboration and social realities in the city of Baltimore. The concept of community is integral to the Year of the City initiative thus I must define and connect with my communities. I am a student of the Loyola Community, a Director of Diversity of the Student Government Association, a Senior Class Representative of the Black Student Association and a Secretary of Psi Chi Honors Society.

My role as a student leader in the afore-mentioned organizations is to collaborate with the different student groups in order to pool resources and unite under common goals. Through my cultural group affiliations I must utilize the group knowledge and assets to mediate racial tensions and mistrust throughout Baltimore. The social realities of Baltimore must be acknowledged by the Loyola community so that we may attempt to remedy injustices through service, education and understanding. Each of my student leader positions integrates these concepts through community outreach and forums for discussion. As a participant in the Year of the City mission I must be innovative and approachable—these qualities will allow me to create new ways of reaching goals as well as hear the voices of my peers to enable them.

Furthermore, I will utilize Baltimore to expand Loyola and connect students with the larger community. The diversity of Baltimore is not reflected in the Loyola student body, I believe it is important to bridge the two communities to create trust and growth through learning about each others differences. We are not only working with Baltimore’s social realities, but Loyola’s realities as well. Year of the City is about cultural exchange through collaboration. I will foster these exchanges through my student leader positions and use my network to connect people and resources.