Jesuit approach to well-being drives student success at Loyola University Maryland
At the heart of a Jesuit, liberal arts education is the concept of cura personalis—“care for the whole person.” This concept is embedded in every facet of a Jesuit institution’s approach to student development, from a rigorous curriculum that challenges students to examine ethical, moral, and philosophical questions, to mission-driven experiences beyond the classroom. But perhaps nowhere is the importance of cura personalis as evident as it is in a school’s approach to student well-being.
Over the past decade, counseling centers at colleges and universities have seen a substantial surge in demand, with nearly three quarters of students reporting moderate or severe psychological distress, according to a 2022 article from the American Psychological Association.
At Loyola University Maryland, student spiritual and mental well-being are the foundation of the University’s broader commitment to student success. This commitment is supported by Loyola’s strategic plan, Together We Rise, which identifies advancing “student and faculty formation” by creating support networks and fostering personal and spiritual growth as one of four focus areas.
Values in Action
Jason Parcover, Ph.D., assistant vice president for student well-being, lives this commitment daily in his role leading Loyola’s Counseling Center.
“From the highest levels down, the entire community has embraced the understanding that well-being is central to our mission and is an endeavor that is shared by every division and department,” said Parcover.
Whether it’s President Terrence M. Sawyer, J.D., Vice President for Student Development Deborah Cady Melzer, Ph.D., or other campus leaders, Parcover observes a unified approach. “We’re all aligned and working toward the same goal, and that unity begins with our Ignatian values.”
Though a variety of counseling and pastoral services have been offered throughout Loyola’s history, the Counseling Center was formalized in 1969 by the Rev. Albert Grau, S.J., Ph.D. In the more than 50 years since, the Center has been serving the University community with Jesuit care and compassion. The Center is staffed by experienced professionals who offer in-person and telehealth services to support the mental well-being of Loyola students, as well as emergency support, public health initiatives, and events.
In an average year, the Center serves about 800 students, with roughly 45% of Loyola students using it before they graduate. Parcover notes that students who use the Center’s services graduate with higher GPAs and are more likely to graduate with honors. Internal survey data from the 2023-24 academic year shows that being in counseling directly contributed to the academic success of 640 Loyola students.
The Center organizes public health initiatives and several major events, such as Healthy Hounds Day. A collaboration between the Counseling Center and various on-campus clubs and offices, the event—held in February—offered a day of mindfulness and mental health advocacy with student-run wellness activities, music, refreshments, and therapy dogs.
While the Counseling Center is the primary provider of psychological services at Loyola, there are many offices and groups that support well-being and make Loyola a place where students can learn, grow, and thrive. And the University is equipping members of the community beyond the Counseling Center. Last year, Loyola trained more than 40 faculty, staff, and student leaders in mental health first aid. The University also received a grant to have three staff members and one faculty member trained as instructors for the national program.
“Loyola goes above and beyond by investing in and providing exceptional resources that ensure students’ needs are fully supported,” said Parcover.
Peer-to-Peer Support
Student-led organizations on campus also play a vital role in elevating student well-being. Togetherall is a 24/7 online platform for students to connect with other students, and Active Minds is a student-led group that partners with the Counseling Center and other groups to organize events, such as guided meditations, wellness panels, and movie nights.
Loyola is also home to a chapter of Morgan’s Message, a national peer-to-peer initiative to strengthen student-athlete mental health. Honors societies, like Sellinger Scholars, incorporate wellness into their programming as well.
“Practicing wellness is essential for student success,” said Vanessa Stolstajner, ’25, chief wellness officer for Sellinger Scholars, a prestigious, cohort-based business honors program focused on leadership development and academic excellence in the Jesuit tradition. “It provides an opportunity to recharge in ways that are empowering and allows students to perform at their best and maintain a balanced life.”
Go Green for Support
Then there is the Green Bandana Brigade, which Parcover considers to be one of the University’s most innovative endeavors.
“It’s a voluntary training program for community members, where participants are equipped with the skills to identify signs of distress, offer meaningful support, and connect students to the appropriate resources they may need,” explained Parcover. “Upon completing the training, individuals receive a green bandana in Loyola’s signature color—which they can wear on their backpack or display in their office—serving as a powerful symbol of our community’s unwavering commitment to one another’s well-being.”
The Counseling Center, the many student-led groups, and other offices on Loyola’s campus—such as Campus Ministry, the Women’s Center, ALANA Services, and Student Development—are available to support students, families, and the Loyola community during challenging times. It could be a first-year student feeling homesick after moving away from home for the first time, or a student dealing with anxiety during finals week.
“Mental health and well-being best occur in the context of community,” shared Cady Melzer. “As companions to students, we must create communities of care where we listen deeply to students’ dreams, fears, desires, and disappointments.”
People for People
Then, there are the times when the entire community is impacted, like with the death of Rev. Timothy Tooten, Sr., D.Min., affiliate professor of communication and media, in February.
Following Tooten’s passing, Parcover and Counseling Center staff, along with partners from Campus Ministry, Student Development, and Human Resources, activated to identify and meet the needs of the community. They made sure they were present in the Alumni Memorial Chapel during a Mass in memory of Tooten. They met with his classes and made arrangements to support faculty and staff who knew Tooten and were deeply impacted by his passing. They met people where they were, offering support, compassion, and resources to process grief, all through a Jesuit lens of care.
“Loyola truly embodies a compassionate, supportive, and nurturing community,” shared Parcover. “It’s during the most challenging moments that I feel especially grateful to be a part of this Jesuit institution, where care and solidarity are at the heart of everything we do.”
By Liam Davis, Loyola University Maryland