Student Life

School Culture: DEI

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38%

Students who identify as people of color
130

Zip codes where our students live
18%

Students who come from non-Catholic religious traditions
50/50

The gender breakdown at Saint Ignatius is approximately 50% female, 50% male

A message from Dr. John G. Igwebuike, Director of School Culture - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)...

We are thrilled you have come to learn more about our department! The work of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is a school-wide commitment to creating an atmosphere where all students, faculty and staff feel a strong sense of psychological safety and belonging. Thus, our department works in collaboration with all departments to cultivate an inclusive climate where our Wolfpack community can thrive.

In the spirit of our Ignatian Values, we seek to bolster the twin pillars of our mission-driven work -- love (diversity, inclusion, belonging) and justice (equity). Our mission statement proudly extols our strength as a "diverse community" teaching and transforming young people in the heart of Chicago.

An African proverb

If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together. Let us go together on our journey of fostering Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Saint Ignatius!

Resources

Becoming One Wolfpack

In an effort to introduce our freshman students to the concepts of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, we spend time with them in group instruction. The goal is to engender conversation in a group where peers are equals.

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Guanacaste 2025: Transformational Listening Conference

Guanacaste 2025 is here—our Transformational Listening Conference rooted in the “listening tree.” Please join us as we understand and build the skill of listening through expert speakers, workshops, coaching, and the Listening Awards Luncheon. Come build bridges of community, connection, compassion and collaboration.

Pre-conference

Friday, October 24, 2025 • 3:15–4:00 p.m. • Saint Ignatius

Induction Ceremony

Conference

Saturday, October 25, 2025 • 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. • Saint Ignatius

Includes workshops, keynotes, coaching sessions, and interactive listening activities.

Keynote speakers:

Kelly Siegel-Stechler, Ph.D., is the Director of the Collaborative Discussion Project at the Interactivity Foundation (IF), which provides resources and support to enhance collaborative learning in classrooms, workplaces, and communities. Kelly holds a PhD in Education from Johns Hopkins, and her research focuses on the role of experiential learning, classroom discussion, and school climate in shaping young people’s long-term civic development and democratic engagement.

Al Duncan is an internationally recognized authority on soft skills who travels the world, Helping Young People Build A Competitive Advantage™. His 5 Soft Skills Clusters framework is used by dozens of organizations and institutions, including the Soft Skills for STEM. He has been awarded the National PTA Life Achievement Award and the President’s Call to Service Award for his service and outstanding work with youth.

Listening Awards Luncheon at 12:00 p.m. (on site)

What is “Guanacaste”?

Guanacaste (GWAH-NAH-KAH'-STAY) in Náhuatl, the Aztecs' language, means “Listening Tree.” Inspired by this “listening tree,” the conference invites all of us to become Guanacastes: people who offer shade, welcome, and deep listening to others.

Why attend?

Deepen connections with family, friends, and the wider community
Learn from thought leaders in listening and interpersonal bridge-building
Practice together through guided circles, workshops, and coaching
Be renewed as we live, love, laugh, lead, and learn to L-I-S-T-E-N—together

Click here to register and share with friends

With gratitude to our sponsors and supporters:

John S. Files • The Interactivity Foundation • The Goel Family • The Rosado Family

Culture awareness training for students is part of the Ignatius experience.

We hope you'll take time to familiarize yourself with our Respect and No Harassment Policy and our Safe Report Form.

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Examples of Diversity in Our Clubs & Activities
- ADAM (A Day Among Men)
- ALAS (Association of Latin American Students)
- ASIA (Alliance of Saint Ignatius Asians)
- B.O.S.S. (Black Organization of Successful Students)
- Circle of Friends
- Club Erin (Gaelic and Irish Heritage)
- Club Italia (Italian Heritage)
- Club Middle East
- Club Ukraine (Ukrainian Heritage)
- Diversity Club
- French Club (French Heritage)
- IVC (Ignatian Volunteer Corps)
- Kino Teens
- Project Unity (LGBTQA)
- Slavic Heritage Society
- VOW (Voices of Women)
- Special Needs Appreciation Club
- Students Committed to Social Action
Examples of Diversity in Our Curriculum
- African American Literature
- American Literature and the Myth of the Melting Pot
- Immersion: Social Justice Through Service Learning
- Irish Literature
- Spanish, French, Latin/Greek, Mandarin Chinese (World Languages)
- The Voices of Women: Studies in Women's Literature
- World History
- World Literature
- World Religions

Contact Us

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Dr. John Igwebuike

Director of School Culture

Bio
In the office of Dr. John Igwebuike, everything ties back to the mission of Saint Ignatius College Prep. “Our mission boldly states that we are a diverse community,” Dr. Igwebuike shares. “My role is to ensure that our culture is an appreciation and celebration of that mission.”

Dr. Igwebuike is the Director of School Culture at Saint Ignatius. He concentrates on creating an environment of diversity, equity and thoughtful listening. “This campus is for many students the most diverse space they attend,” he explains. “We want every student to have a voice and feel included in this vibrant community.”

Dr. Igwebuike joined Saint Ignatius in 2021 because he “felt called to serve God in a Catholic space.” Dr. Igwebuike has already made strides to advance our mission and strengthen our school culture. His office has introduced name pronunciation software, brought interpreters to school events, and instituted the Becoming One Wolfpack seminar for incoming freshmen. Dr. Igwebuike’s department supports many of Saint Ignatius’ cultural and ethnic clubs and is currently facilitating the prospective creation of the Neurodivergent Club.

Everything that Dr. Igwebuike does connects to one skill - listening. “The spark of education is listening,” he says. “We are taught to read and write, but we’re never taught how to listen.” Dr. Igwebuike believes that proper listening techniques generate understanding, compassion and, in turn, an accepting and diverse school community. “It is my goal,” he states, “to foster inclusion and diversity by growing the school’s capacity to listen to one another effectively.”

Dr. Igwebuike is the founder and president of the Lead Listening Society and the author of “I Want to Hear You”: 22 Tips for Artful Listening. His listening seminars and his recent TedX Talk at Morehouse College have helped countless people learn “the greatest skill never taught.” Dr. Igwebuike has brought his expertise in listening instruction to Roosevelt Road - Saint Ignatius is the leader in listening instruction at secondary schools and is currently the only school to have an annual listening conference.

Drop by Dr. Igwebuike’s office on the third floor, and he’d be glad to “listen your ear off.”
Ms. Rychelle Hooper 87

Science Teacher & Diversity Coordinator

Saint Ignatius College Prep works to promote a culture of respect where every community member feels seen, listened to, and valued.

Saint Ignatius College Prep

Saint Ignatius College Prep, a Jesuit Catholic school in the heart of Chicago, is a diverse community dedicated to educating young men and women for lives of faith, love, service and leadership.