EIS Department
Building Community Through Diversity
What is Ethnic and Intercultural Services (EIS)?
The Ethnic and Intercultural Services is a student centered department guided by Loyola Marymount University's mission to encourage learning, educate the whole person, and foster service of faith and the promotion of justice.
EIS is grounded by LMU’s intercultural values and serves as a resource for all students as they prepare for the challenges and rewards of living in a diverse society. EIS engages and empowers students to participate fully in campus life and achieve personal success, with a special focus on helping first year students of color transition to university life. EIS offices work in concert to support students and promote positive interactions among diverse communities.
The EIS department consists of five offices (Asian Pacific Student Services, Chicano Latino Student Services, Intercultural Affairs, Office of Black Student Services, and Jewish Student Services) that reflect LMU’s rich diversity and work in concert to empower all students to participate fully in campus life and achieve personal success, with a special focus on helping first-year students transition to university life.
Ethnic and Intercultural Services encompasses five offices:
Asian Pacific Student Services (APSS)
APSS engages the intercultural community at LMU in the issues, culture, and experiences of Asian Pacific Americans through advocacy, community building, educational programs, resources, and the development of leaders.
Chicano/a Latino/a Student Services (CLSS)
Educates the campus about Latino/a issues and the ethnic diversity represented within the community (i.e. Central and South America and Caribbean). Provides culturally sensitive programs that foster and promote leadership, academic and personal success of Latino/a students as well as student advocacy, personal support, assistance for Latino/a student groups, and transitional/beyond LMU programming.
Intercultural Affairs (ICA)
We are committed to the Loyola Marymount legacy of cultural consciousness and progressive social action where all cultures are respectfully included in learning and sharing across cultures. ICA works to enhance understanding, dialogue, and interactions among diverse groups and is a resource for students, staff, and faculty. The office offers a comprehensive approach for addressing the cultural concerns of students through a variety of practical learning experiences.
Jewish Student Services (JSS)
Provides support services, cultural programming and religious activities for the Jewish student community. Supports and advises Hillel. JSS works with students to inform the campus about Jewish history, traditions, culture and faith.
Office of Black Student Services (OBSS)
In collaboration with faculty and colleagues, OBSS strives to enhance lifestyles that reflect a balance of spiritual, physical, emotional, and intellectual health. OBSS’ goals are to promote academic excellence; strengthen interaction and communication within the black community as well as impart the understanding of differences of others; foster the serving of others through community involvement; and to serve as an advocate, resource and foundation for students.
Additionally, EIS offers mentoring program for incoming Freshmen at LMU. Click the link below to learn about the 2011-12 Peer Mentor Program.
Intercultural Facilitator Program
Intercultural Facilitators (IF’s) introduce first year students to college services and share insights on issues like roommate concerns, working with faculty advisors, living in the residence halls, making friends and how to join clubs or student government. IF’s contact new students early in the first semester and continue a relationship throughout the first year. First year students receive weekly information on academic, cultural, social and other campus life events.