Katherine Underwood
Service, Support and Sustainability
How did your undergraduate degree from Loyola help you?
My undergraduate degree experience at Loyola’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) increased my personal confidence, to think like a leader, and helped me realize I can reach my personal goals. Loyola has allowed me to see things differently because of the significance of global perspectives and caring for the whole person.
What made it worthwhile to an SCPS student?
I chose the School of Continuing and Professional Studies program for a degree, an incredible experience, to be challenged, to be civic minded and for academic excellence. I feel proud to have accomplished all of these lofty goals.
Can you discuss the impact of your capstone class?
Given the food inequities in my neighborhood, I always felt passionate about empowering families to create affordable, healthy meals. My community partner, Covenant United Church of Christ Food Pantry where I serve as a member and volunteer is an agency of the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD). This food pantry helps address the food insecurities in the area. It holds a special place in the community because it survived the pandemic, and continues its mission, even as more than 250 similar pantries succumbed to COVID-19 business disparities.
I aim to support, amplify and elevate this church’s good work through my capstone. My goals were:
- Conduct a client survey that will help the church understand dietary habits of it’s constituents
- This will lead to the pantry being able to order healthier and more nutritious food once it’s able to return to client choice
- Ultimately, this will reduce food waste in the area
Loyola’s education and cura personalis, along with support of my wonderful teachers made this a successful project, and more importantly an ongoing and sustainable one!
What advice do you have for adult learners?
My advice to all adult learners is that it is never too late to reach your educational goal. Of course, having a support group can become a key part of completing your educational journey and I recommend taking advantage of all of the academic opportunities presented to you. Lastly, if you are employed, speak with your manager about your personal goals and take advantage of the tuition reimbursement program if it is available
If you would like to share your story as a current student or alum, please email it to scps@luc.edu. We would love to hear from you.
Service, Support and Sustainability
How did your undergraduate degree from Loyola help you?
My undergraduate degree experience at Loyola’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) increased my personal confidence, to think like a leader, and helped me realize I can reach my personal goals. Loyola has allowed me to see things differently because of the significance of global perspectives and caring for the whole person.
What made it worthwhile to an SCPS student?
I chose the School of Continuing and Professional Studies program for a degree, an incredible experience, to be challenged, to be civic minded and for academic excellence. I feel proud to have accomplished all of these lofty goals.
Can you discuss the impact of your capstone class?
Given the food inequities in my neighborhood, I always felt passionate about empowering families to create affordable, healthy meals. My community partner, Covenant United Church of Christ Food Pantry where I serve as a member and volunteer is an agency of the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD). This food pantry helps address the food insecurities in the area. It holds a special place in the community because it survived the pandemic, and continues its mission, even as more than 250 similar pantries succumbed to COVID-19 business disparities.
I aim to support, amplify and elevate this church’s good work through my capstone. My goals were:
- Conduct a client survey that will help the church understand dietary habits of it’s constituents
- This will lead to the pantry being able to order healthier and more nutritious food once it’s able to return to client choice
- Ultimately, this will reduce food waste in the area
Loyola’s education and cura personalis, along with support of my wonderful teachers made this a successful project, and more importantly an ongoing and sustainable one!
What advice do you have for adult learners?
My advice to all adult learners is that it is never too late to reach your educational goal. Of course, having a support group can become a key part of completing your educational journey and I recommend taking advantage of all of the academic opportunities presented to you. Lastly, if you are employed, speak with your manager about your personal goals and take advantage of the tuition reimbursement program if it is available
If you would like to share your story as a current student or alum, please email it to scps@luc.edu. We would love to hear from you.