In a significant shift aimed to better support student wellbeing, Loyola University Maryland launched the Thrive Center for Student Success. The Co-Director of the new Thrive Center, Raven Williams, told The Greyhound the change is rooted in the desire to build on existing resources.
“We wanted to be mindful of what we already had in place to support students…but then also how could we do that more broadly through an intersectional lens?” Williams said.
The Thrive Center’s mission is to help students “flourish at Loyola and beyond,” focusing on academic enrichment, identity formation, and student support services. According to its website, the center empowers students “to grow intellectually, socially, recreationally, culturally, spiritually and vocationally,” while using an intersectional lens to support students from all backgrounds.
Co-director of LGBTQ+ Student Services, Pat Cassidy was hired in summer 2024 in the inaugural position. He noted that the move reflects federal guidance and evolving best practices around identity-based student support.
“This shift has allowed us to think more intersectionally about student success. Where we are now is where we were working towards—it just happened a lot faster,” Cassidy said.
Cassidy added that the transition is part of Loyola’s 2030 Strategic Plan, which emphasizes student success as a major priority.
“This is really just an expansion and a deepening of the work that both ALANA Services and LGBTQ+ Student Services were doing,” Cassidy said.
“All of the programming, advocacy, and support is still happening — it’s just now under a more unified and expansive center,” Cassidy said.
Though the integration aims to enhance services, some students have felt the transition’s emotional impact, particularly those who found a strong sense of belonging in the ALANA (African, Latinx, Asian, Native American) community.
Justin Wright ’28, a member of various multicultural clubs on campus, expressed a similar initial reaction.
“At first, I didn’t really think anything of it. I was just like, oh, is this a new name. It was still the same people, the same group,” Wright said.
In terms of effects for other organizations, the Greyhound Ambassadors, also known as tour guides, are now expected to alter tour scripts to be sure they are accurately conveying this new information to prospective students.
Tamyra Cilius ’26, Director of Community Engagement for Greyhound Ambassadors, described the shift as “a little bit difficult.”
“Coming to Loyola, I did the Cultural Awareness Program through ALANA—they were the first people I met,” Cilius said. “So, the change is a little bit different for me too. But we do still have their services. It makes a difference, even if it’s not a huge one.”
The center offers mentorship programs, incoming first-year programming, affinity groups, academic success coaching, and identity-based community spaces. A new LGBTQ+ Thrive Mentorship Program, launching in Fall 2025, will connect first- and second-year students with upperclassmen to foster community and personal growth.
“The Thrive Center is a space for students to get connected, find community, and get the holistic support they need as students here at Loyola…If you’re looking for a space that nurtures support inside and outside the classroom—this is it,” Williams said.
For Cilius, the importance of these resources remains clear.
“One of the main things in my college search was making sure that I would be accepted as a student of color…being able to have these outlets is really important for all students,” Cilius said.
Wright echoed the importance of these spaces for building relationships.
“I feel like it’s always important for people to know that there’s other people like them, and I also believe that people should find similarities and just friends on campus. We’re still students, we’re kind of young, so it’s always better to make more connections with people and I feel like Thrive can help you do that.”
Cassidy also emphasized the importance of student involvement in shaping the Thrive Center’s future.
“I want students to feel like they’re a part of this moment, and that they can really help shape this moment in Loyola’s history and in who we are as a Thrive Center for Student Success,” Cassidy said.
“Our door is always open. The Thrive Center is for folks to bring fully who they are into this space and into this experience. If we’re not able to create a culture of that on our campus, students won’t be successful—and Loyola won’t be successful.”
Heading into his second year at Loyola, Wright hopes the Thrive Center will also grow its outreach programs.
“Initiatives that kind of involve more charities that kind of support low-income people around Baltimore and have connections to more diverse programs. There’s a bunch of ethnic groups outside of the school that I feel like people should know about and learn about their culture and I think the school could do more to help with that.”
As Loyola continues implementing the Thrive Center’s programming, its co-director hopes every student understands their mission is the same: every student has a place.
“The biggest message is to get connected,” Williams said. “There is something here for every student.”
To learn more, visit www.loyola.edu/department/thrive-center/.
