Staff

Joel Maidens

Associate Director for the First-Year Experience

Joel joined New Student Programs in October 2022. With experience in student leadership development, first-year seminars, academic advising, and program assessment, Joel is passionate about providing students with the opportunities for them to have a meaningful first year at Loyola. Prior to joining Loyola, Joel has served in positions at the University of Illinois Chicago, Michigan State University, and University of Michigan-Flint. In his free time, Joel enjoys running, biking, and being outdoors. A Michigander at heart, he enjoys cheering for all things Detroit sports (Red Wings, Tigers, Lions, and Pistons). As a certified USA Hockey referee, he also officiates hockey at the local and national level. Joel holds a B.A. in Political Science from Central College and a M.A. in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Michigan.

jmaidens@luc.edu 

Mustafa Anwar

Assistant Director for First-Year Initiatives 

Joining the New Student Programs team in May 2022, Mustafa brings both an excitement and passion to work with our new Ramblers. Prior to joining Loyola, Mustafa served in student-affairs roles at the University of Minnesota, Colorado State University, and Dominican University with a focus on residence life, new student orientation, and multicultural student programming. Mustafa earned his bachelor's degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Marquette University and his master's degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Colorado State University. An ambitious practitioner-scholar aiming to foster transformative student-centered experiences, Mustafa hopes he can help create a more socially-just world. He is passionate about cura personalis and supporting the "whole" student. He also hopes to continue to learn and develop alongside the students he serves. Outside of work, Mustafa loves to attend concerts & music festivals, play board games, and spend quality time with his friends & family.

 manwar4@luc.edu

Annie Keller

Assistant Director for Orientation and Student Transitions 

Annie joins the New Student Programs team in July 2023 from her alma mater Lake Forest College, where she worked as an Assistant Director of Admissions. Annie earned her bachelor's degree in psychology where she learned that she could combine her passion for social psychology research and her skill set within higher education. With an informed research background focused on effectively minimizing barriers to educational access for students cross-culturally, Annie strives to meet students where they are at to assist them in assessing, organizing, and achieving their educational goals as a supervisor and counselor. As a passionate proponent of growth mindset and cultivating a strong, student-centered community, Annie is excited to work with new students to find their home on campus and find the many avenues in which they can chase their dreams at Loyola. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her dog, curating playlists, finding new coffee shops and bookstores, and finding great live music with her friends around Chicago.

akeller4@luc.edu

Vanessa Mendoza

Graduate Intern for New Student Programs

From the West Coast to the Windy City, Vanessa recently moved from Northern California to Chicago in August 2023 to pursue her Master's Degree in Higher Education at Loyola University Chicago. Vanessa earned her Bachelor’s Degrees in Animal Science & Spanish from California State University, Chico and will be completing her first year here at Loyola. During her time at CSU, Chico Vanessa studied abroad in San Ramón, Costa Rica which sparked her interest and passion for global leadership, and introduced her to the international education space. As she returned from her studies abroad, she spent the next 4 years working in International Education & Global Engagement as well as in New Student Orientation & Transition Programs. As a first-generation American and college graduate navigating higher education, mentors have contributed to every milestone in her academic career, and she wishes to continue this cycle of representation and mentorship in the roles/spaces she enters. Vanessa is eager to represent the Mexican-American community as she embarks on this new journey and engages in efforts that will impact the Loyola community as well as the greater community of Chicago. Joining the LUCO team in May 2024, Vanessa is excited to spend her first summer in Chicago and fifth summer in Orientation!

vmendoza2@luc.edu

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Gabbi Fuller

Coordinator for Academic Enrichment 

Mario Salgado

Administrative Coordinator 

Mario serves as the Administrative Coordinator for First and Second Year Advising and New Student Programs. Prior to joining Loyola, Mario worked for seven years in the Adult Education department for the City Colleges of Chicago. Loyola’s mission, and Mario’s passion for assisting others, is what ultimately drew him to want join Loyola University Chicago.

msalgado3@luc.edu 

Lead Peer Advisors (PAs)

PeerAdvisors@luc.edu

Loyola University Chicago Orientation (LUCO) Interns

orientation@luc.edu