Evergreen Program

Who Are the Evergreens?

The Evergreen Program is part of the New Student & Family Programs team within the Thrive Center for Student Success.The Evergreens are a team of trained undergraduate student leaders who support new students as they transition to Loyola University Maryland. Evergreens are often among the first people new students and families interact with. Evergreens serve as ambassadors of the Loyola community — helping students feel connected, informed, and welcomed from the moment they arrive on campus.

Importantly, Evergreens work closely with Messina, Loyola’s first-year experience program, to support students throughout their first year academically, socially, and personally. Evergreens combine leadership, empathy, and Loyola’s core values to ensure all students feel supported. Their responsibilities include:

Orientation and Welcome Experiences

• Welcoming students and families during summer orientation programs
• Welcoming students and aiding in their transition during Fall Welcome Weekend
• Sharing information about campus resources and systems

Messina First-Year Support

Evergreens are a visible and trusted presence within the Messina program — helping first-year students. Evergreens play an important role in bringing Messina’s mission to life. Messina aims to support first-year students’ transition to academic life, community involvement, and personal discovery:

• Act as peer connectors who help students navigate their first year through community-building activities
• Help new students access academic and social support resources to help them achieve success in their first year at Loyola
• Provide referrals and guidance based on student needs and interests

Through their work with Messina, Evergreens help reinforce a culture of intentional transition and belonging beyond orientation. This collaboration strengthens the impact of both the Evergreens and Messina programs — helping students thrive inside and outside the classroom.

Application & Selection Process

Applications open in the Fall semester. Evergreens are selected based on leadership potential, communication skills, and commitment to new student support.

Typical Timeline (will be updated each year):

• Applications open: November 10, 2025
• Application close: January 21, 2026

Selected Evergreens participate in required training and serve across the summer and academic year. Evergreens participate in extensive training focused on:

• Effective communication and customer service
• Campus resources and referral practices
• Supporting students through transitions
• Inclusive leadership grounded in Jesuit values

This training equips Evergreens to support students not only during orientation and Messina, but throughout their first year. The experience is designed to develop student leaders while strengthening Loyola’s transition experience for new students and families.

Meet the Evergreens Program Coordinators

The Evergreens Program Coordinator assist the professional staff in New Student & Family Programs with the program’s operations, including recruitment, training, marketing, and program development. These staff members ensure Evergreens are prepared to support orientation, Messina, and year-round transition experiences.

Contact

Have questions? Reach out to the New Student & Family Programs team (nsfp@loyola.edu) to learn more about Evergreens, Messina, and supporting students through transitions.