LOYOLA Ssrexerondaee | Sadlka Sulaiman Hare, Director : S| Department or stom Diversty and Muticutural Airs 5 FZ = | oxtionot stuert Derlopmere é (511 N Sheridan Fe Ste. 116 | Chicago, nis 60626 eS hone (73) 606598 | Fax (779) 5003865, © Seieimanteramia eu ww lnc ecldversty! tae Maren 6, 2015 Dear Review Committe, | write thi eter with great enthusiam and in support of DevitaBshundat. | have known Devita since August 2013, am the Director forthe Department of Student DWersity & "Muitcutural affairs at Loyola University Chicago and Devita isa Graduate Assistant in my Department In this capacity Devita works laely with students, focusing particularly on isues affecting women of Colo and also providing opportunities for Loyola students to learn about different social justice ius within the greater community. The program that Devita advises for women of colors the Loyola University Chicago Empowering Sisterhood (LUCES) program, which provides monthly gatherings for students wo identify to come together and share their experiences while fining community and solidarity. In addition, Devita leads our Social Justice Dinner Dialogue (SIDD) series, which entails ‘outreach to campus and community partners to share their knowledge about a particular issue with students staff, ond acuity at Loyola. A few topics that have been explored inthe SIDD zerez include {BTA history and allyship, unpacking White privilege, the Feminist movements), language inclusion, and "Taking Control of Your Identity.” Davita’ letdership in these areas are imperative because they provide our communities of colar and adltional marginalized populations a sense of belonging at 2 predominantly White campus, | would be remiss if id not mention that even though Loficially met Devita in August of 2013; her reputation was highlighted for me well before this point. Beginning in February of 2013, lad colleagues, faculty an fiends in the fleld asking me if had met Devita, Words thet | vividly remember are “amazing alented, stron, professional, wonderful, and committed.” Of course, was curious and ‘once | had the opportunity to interview Devit va phone for preview days, I was sold. evita has ted ‘upto every positive comment shared with me since February 2013, ‘Two points want to highlight that demonstrate Devita’s presence and impactin SOMA and Loyola are the ereation and vison forthe LUCES Leadership Summit and LUCES Mentorship Program. While LUCES has existed forgoing on six years in SOMA, Devta came in and worked to design intentional and deeper \ways to engage and develop our women of calor. Through Devita’s research, organization, collaborative spit, and creativity, she worked to put onthe frst annual LUCES Leadership Summit in 2013, which ‘served over 50 participants in the fist year! This Summit occurred again this year and will remain a staple event for aur students. Devita also launched the fist ever LUCES Women of Color Mentorship Program in fall 2014 with 27 mentees and 20 stafi/facuty women of color mentas. Both programs have been received exceptional well by students staff, and faulty. More than that, women of colorSedika Sulaiman Har, Dsctor Department of Student Diversity and MulicultualAfalrs {11 N.Shean Ry Ste 118 | Capo nis 60625, Phone (73) 608398 Fax (73) 508.3805, ‘Suimanfaragiv.ad | wow oc edutersiyd are seting themecelves as leaders and change agents; while receiving continual one on ane support and {guidance from professional taf and faculty women of color. This development and affirmation has been critical for our women of color students, especialy when self-efficacy isan area that we know ‘women of coor struggle. In addition to leaving her legacy with the two new LUCES programs, Devita aso served asa facitator for “The People’s Institute, a leadership and soca justice experience for 40 students. She modeled how to be vuinerable, while supporting students to share their backgrounds and identities. Itbrought me great ‘comfort when she agreed to be a second year facilitator because ofthe maturity, knowledge, and sills she possesses with conversations about power, privilege, and oppression, know that can trust that she wil manage any stuation | tek her with in amanner that evaluates the needs, upholds the integrity ofthe Department, followed by her careful and accurate follow through to accomplish the goal at hand. fit tenet yet evident, 1am afan of Devite, believe she moves through the world witha purpose to ‘make each place she isa part of better. She understands the complexity of iéentity and the responsiity that comes with being. a women of color leader and professional. This is taken withthe ‘imostseriousess. There so doubl in ny min that Devas yoing to the fed of higher education. ea postive contribution to {thas been sucha pleasure working with Devta and am grateful that SDMA had the opportunity to fain from her personal and professional gifts. I whole heartedly support Devta'scandidacy for fraduation and without reservations, Please do not hesitate in contacting me should you have any questions. Sincerely, Sadika Sulaiman Hara