The Sellinger and Friends workshop, a yearly tabling event hosted by Sellinger School of Business, featured various tables highlighting different majors and minors available to Loyola students. Sellinger partnered with the Thrive Center to host academic and career enrichment, or ACE, workshops. The programs are designed to help students plan their futures.
The event had tables across different clubs and organizations, and many Loyola department chairs were there as well, offering to answer students’ questions. Director of Student Success Coaching Dennis Velez says it’s never too early to explore all options.
“This is a really great opportunity to ask questions, get information, and really figure out is Sellinger for you? And it’s okay if it’s not, but at least this gives you an opportunity to explore and see what’s out there,” Velez said.
One of the organizations present to explore was the Simon Center and its ambassador program. The Simon Center works directly with Sellinger to provide students with opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Isabella Desintonio ‘26 said she wished she had the chance to attend an event like this in her first year.
“It’s important to show the freshmen the different opportunities they can take part in. When I was a freshman, I didn’t know the amount [of majors and minors], like, as a business major and a freshman. I didn’t know there were so many options to major and minor in,” Desintonio said.
Since Loyola offers a wide range of subjects to study, students are often encouraged to try something that they’re not usually used to. Velez describes the tables not associated with business as the ‘friends’ part of the workshop.
“A lot of times, students think that if they like major or minor in something in Sellinger, that that’s it: they can’t branch out. But in reality, there are a lot of programs within Sellinger. What’s really great about Loyola’s core and their program is that it allows you to mix and mingle,” Velez said.
Velez encouraged students to not be afraid to try something new, and many first-year students explored a variety of options. They networked across all tables over food and drinks, keeping their options open for the future.
Isaiah Almandoz ‘29 said the Sellinger and Friends event was crucial for learning about the opportunities available to him.
“I’m someone who loves to keep my options open and someone who loves to explore as much as I can. And this event is really a grand opportunity for me to explore everything that I can do at this wonderful school,” Almandoz said.
Department chairs, other Loyola staff, and even student employees are hoping for more students to attend the Sellinger and Friends workshop in the future, especially because it could open many doors for them.
Aminata Hernandez ‘27, an intern at the Thrive Center, believes these events can help ease first-year students’ nerves.
“At least for me, when I came here, my freshman year, it was just a lot because there were so many things to do, so many options that I didn’t know where to start. So, I think talking to these professors will help them to get to know where to start,” Hernandez said.
To learn more about the Sellinger School of Business and the events they offer, click here.
