Meet the Team
Itzel Mendez Sorrano Outreach and Communications Graduate Assistant
Itzel is a first-year M.Ed. School Counseling student, who strives to holistically support students by helping foster an understanding of their individual and collective voices and power, and for them to trust and believe in themselves.
Itzel has three years of experience working in undergraduate education services, specifically regarding leadership education that focuses on self-awareness, collaboration, inclusion, and civic and social engagement to become change-makers. They also have experience working in both early childhood and elementary education as a teacher’s assistant, supporting students’ development of emotional identification and regulation, critical thinking, and social and self-help skills.
Itzel completed their undergraduate education at the University of California, Davis, earning a Bachelor of Science in Human Development with minors in Education and Spanish.
Itzel has three years of experience working in undergraduate education services, specifically regarding leadership education that focuses on self-awareness, collaboration, inclusion, and civic and social engagement to become change-makers. They also have experience working in both early childhood and elementary education as a teacher’s assistant, supporting students’ development of emotional identification and regulation, critical thinking, and social and self-help skills.
Itzel completed their undergraduate education at the University of California, Davis, earning a Bachelor of Science in Human Development with minors in Education and Spanish.
Rodney L. Parker, Ph.D. Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer
Rodney L. Parker, Ph.D., is the Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer at Loyola University Maryland. In this position, Dr. Parker leads the University in stewarding diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and actualizing the mission of the University.
His career background includes serving as the Director of ALANA (African, Latino, Asian, Native American) Services at Loyola University Maryland for 14.5 years, providing support to and enhancing retention efforts for multicultural students. His combined interests in diversity, inclusion, intercultural engagement, and the overall well-being of students have made him an integral part of Loyola University Maryland community for nearly 20 years.
In 2019, Parker joined the academic affairs division as the Assistant Dean of Undergraduate and Graduate Studies. His primary responsibility as Assistant Dean was working with first-year and second-year students on academic acclimation and success. In addition, he completed a three-year term as the chairperson for the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) Conference on Diversity and Equity in 2016. His professional experience combined with his research interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion serves as motivation for the work that he does at his University.
Dr. Parker holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from N.C. State University, M.Div. and Th.M from Duke University, and Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision with a concentration in Pastoral Counseling at Loyola University Maryland. He is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the State of Maryland.
Read Dr. Parker's message to the Loyola community to open the new academic year.
His career background includes serving as the Director of ALANA (African, Latino, Asian, Native American) Services at Loyola University Maryland for 14.5 years, providing support to and enhancing retention efforts for multicultural students. His combined interests in diversity, inclusion, intercultural engagement, and the overall well-being of students have made him an integral part of Loyola University Maryland community for nearly 20 years.
In 2019, Parker joined the academic affairs division as the Assistant Dean of Undergraduate and Graduate Studies. His primary responsibility as Assistant Dean was working with first-year and second-year students on academic acclimation and success. In addition, he completed a three-year term as the chairperson for the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) Conference on Diversity and Equity in 2016. His professional experience combined with his research interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion serves as motivation for the work that he does at his University.
Dr. Parker holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from N.C. State University, M.Div. and Th.M from Duke University, and Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision with a concentration in Pastoral Counseling at Loyola University Maryland. He is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the State of Maryland.
Read Dr. Parker's message to the Loyola community to open the new academic year.