For Lori Day ’22, supporting others has been a lifelong commitment. Today, that dedication shapes her work as assistant director of civic engagement in the Mays Center for Experiential Learning and Community Engagement at Texas A&M University-San Antonio.
When Day first arrived on campus, she was a biology major with aspirations for a career in medicine. But through campus volunteering and mentorship, she discovered her passion lay elsewhere. She switched her major to English Language and Literature and found her calling in community advocacy, a path informed by her upbringing in a low-income Houston household with a single mother.
“I probably would not have graduated if it wasn't for Student Affairs,” Day said. “At 20 years old, having that support system, from student counseling services to the conversations I had with the Mays Center team, meant the entire world.”
That support also gave Day the confidence to step into the spotlight as General the Jaguar, the University's mascot. Now, as a staff member, she draws on her own experiences to help students navigate college and discover their potential.
Whether chatting with student employees or leading civic initiatives, Day approaches her work with empathy and honesty. Having experienced the challenges of being a first-generation college student while navigating financial and personal hardships, she strives to create a welcoming, judgment-free space where students can ask for help, find support and explore their passions.
Under Day's leadership, The General’s Store has grown into a thriving emergency food pantry that helps address students’ basic needs. Eligible students can visit up to three times a month for free supplemental groceries, including fresh fruits and vegetables, ready-to-eat meals, and pantry staples such as pasta, rice, peanut butter and canned goods.
Day and her team also helped launch the Thrive Fair, recognizing that many students face the added responsibility of supporting family members at home. The event connects students and their families with local resources for mental health, food assistance and overall well-being. Attendees can also receive practical giveaways, including Jaguar care packages and cookware sets.
Day's work extends beyond basic-needs support to civic engagement. She leads programming that includes National Voter Registration Day and The Civic Cruiser, a golf cart shuttle that provides students and other campus community members with free rides to the campus polling site. She also helps students understand how local government decisions affect everyday concerns, including housing, public transportation, higher education and community funding.
“A lot of our students are low-income and are focusing on surviving, getting through school, and being there for their family,” she said. “They don't have the opportunity or time to research and feel truly well-informed. Creating a space for students where they can ask questions and feel comfortable is so important.”
Day's commitment to others has earned the admiration of her colleagues.
“One of the things I admire most about Lori is her genuine commitment to people,” said Clarissa Tejeda, director of employer relations and community outreach. “Whether she is mentoring students, collaborating with colleagues, or serving our community, she leads with kindness, integrity, and a strong sense of purpose. Her impact can be seen in both the outcomes she achieves and the relationships she builds.”
Reflecting on her journey from former student to staff worker and student advocate, Day hopes other Jaguars recognize the importance of community and the power of asking for help.
“Community is everything,” she said. “It's important to be there for the people around you, but it’s also important to let people in and ask for help when you need it.”
For Day, civic engagement and community service are about more than building a résumé. By helping students connect their interests and passions with volunteer opportunities, she hopes to inspire a lasting commitment to giving back.
“That is why I love my job so much,” Day said. “We are inspiring students, regardless of what they want to be, to have empathy and compassion and support the people and community around them.”