EPISODE SUMMARY
Meet Kyra Loughlin, James Madison. As part of her capstone project, Kyra spent 14 weeks with Tri Delta Housing, where her mission was to make Tri Delta’s residential spaces more inclusive and accessible for all members—regardless of ability. Her work, rooted in the principles of Universal Design, has already earned her national recognition with the Rutgers OTD Capstone Award for Leadership, Advocacy, and Collaboration. In this episode, we explore how Kyra’s Tri Delta experience helped shape her approach—and how she’s redesigning belonging through inclusive design.
EPISODE NOTES
How do you create true belonging? It might not start where you think. In this episode, we sit down with Kyra Loughlin, James Madison, to explore how Universal Design principles can reshape not only our chapter houses but also the ways that our members feel seen, valued and supported.
Kyra walks us through her award-winning capstone project and introduces the Accessibility Screening Tool she developed in partnership with Tri Delta Housing. This innovative resource goes beyond ADA compliance to help meet the diverse physical, sensory and intellectual needs of our members—in both residential and social spaces.
Along the way, Kyra shares what she’s learned, including the importance of asking meaningful questions and listening deeply. She reflects on how her Tri Delta experience and the sisterhood she built at James Madison University continue to guide and inspire her, and she offers heartfelt advice for anyone looking to lead with Purpose.
This conversation is about more than ramps and elevators. It’s about redesigning belonging and reimagining what it means to create spaces where everyone feels at home.
Click here for a transcript of this episode.
More Ways to Listen
Let’s Talk Tri Delta is available where you readily download podcasts (Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more!). Check out all our previous episodes and be sure to subscribe to or follow our podcast on your preferred platform to catch the latest episodes when they are published.