Welcome!

Congratulations! The Center for Faculty Development welcomes you to Loyola University Chicago. You now belong to a diverse community that serves humanity through learning, justice, and faith. This New Faculty Starter Pack introduces you to essential resources that will support your work from day one.

Loyola University Chicago—Rooted in Purpose Since 1870

For more than 150 years, Loyola University Chicago has strengthened communities and expanded opportunities across the globe. As part of an international network of Jesuit universities, Loyola responds to urgent challenges that impact social justice, sustainability, health, and innovation.

As a new faculty member, you contribute to this legacy. Your research, scholarship, and teaching will support Loyola University's vision to advance new knowledge that serves others and foster diverse learning communities that value freedom of inquiry. Your contributions today participate in Loyola University Chicago's effort to build a better tomorrow.

Mission Driven 

The Center for Faculty Development encourages you to learn more about Loyola's vision and values. Please visit the Office of Mission Integration where you will find pathways to engage with the mission more deeply and learn about faculty formation opportunities such as book clubs, leadership development programs, retreats, and seminars. 

Committed to Faculty Excellence

The Office of the Provost equips faculty with essential resources to achieve excellence. As a new faculty member, take advantage of centralized academic affairs resources.

1. Academic Calendars and Schedules Stay up to date on all academic activities, examination schedules, and campus holidays.
2. The Academic Catalog Find courses, programs of study, academic policies, and degree requirements for Loyola University Chicago.
3. The Faculty Handbook Access policies and procedures specific to Loyola University Chicago. 
4. The Faculty Staff Directory Contact colleagues across all campuses.
5. The University Strategic Plan For the Greater Good, charts a clear and ambitious path forward—a vision shaped by collaboration, discernment, and a shared commitment to impact.

Questions?

Have a question? Reach out to Lauri Dietz, the Executive Director of the Center for Faculty Development, who is happy to answer your inquiries and assist you with your research, scholarship, and teaching.

Teaching at Loyola University Chicago 

The Center for Faculty Development is committed to your success as an educator. Here are the first things you can do to prepare to teach at Loyola University. 

Consult the LUC Course Syllabus Policy 

The LUC Course Syllabus Policy provides a list of all components to include in your course's syllabus. Be advised of the recent AY 2026-27 University Policy Notifications for Course Syllabi, which details the updated Academic Integrity policy, Religious Holiday Observance Attendance Statement, and Notice of Reporting Obligations and Student Title IX Rights.

Find Your Roster and Remember to Submit Grades Twice

Loyola's Online Connection to University Services (LOCUS) gives students, staff, and faculty access to web-based services in the student information system. Faculty can enter grades, view their teaching schedules, update their preferred name, and access class rosters for messaging. If you teach an undergraduate course, you are required to submit midterm grades through LOCUS. 

Build Your Course in Brightspace or Sakai

During the 2026-2027 Academic Year, Loyola will transition our learning management system (LMS) from Sakai to Brightspace.

Fall 2026 courses taught in the School of Communication and the School of Continuing and Professional Studies will be in Brightspace. All other schools and colleges will continue to use Sakai in Fall.

All Spring 2027 courses, except for those offered through the Stritch School of Medicine, will be in Brightspace. SSOM will move to Brightspace during Summer 2027.

The Center for Faculty Develop and Information Technology Services are collaborating to offer university-wide Brightspace training and support for faculty and students throughout the 2026-2027 Academic Year while continuing to support faculty teaching in Sakai. 

Use LUC Libraries Course Support Services 

The Loyola University Chicago Libraries offer a variety of services that support your teaching efforts, including 

1. Subject Guides Curated guides that direct you and your students to disciplinary specific library resources. 
2. Open Educational Resources Keep your course accessible and affordable by assigning free, publicly available textbooks, articles, and other teaching and learning resources. 
3. Course Reserves A system for faculty to place physical and digital materials on reserve for classes, providing students with greater access to course content.
4. Subject Specialists Library experts who provide research consultations to students and lead library instruction tailored to your course goals and learning outcomes. 

Meet with your department's subject specialist to identify how the LUC Libraries can support you.

Learn about the CURA Network and Other Student Support Resources 

As a centralized website for reporting student concerns, the Office of the Dean of Students' CURA Network provides support, coordination, case management, and resource referrals for student concerns. Additionally, Loyola offers a variety of student support resources, including

1. The CURA Network's RED FOLDER A crucial resource that helps faculty recognize, respond to, refer, and report students of concern to the appropriate campus resource. 
2. The Student Accessibility Center Learn how you can offer equal access to course materials and learning opportunities. 
3. The Wellness Center Ensure that students know that they have access to high quality, confidential, and holistic medical, mental health, and health promotion services.  

On the first day of class, inform students about these resources and how they promote their well-being. 

Take Advantage of Information Technology Services 

A part of Loyola's Office of Information Technology Services, Classroom Technology Services ensures seamless teaching and learning experiences for students, faculty, and staff. To request training or receive technical support, please contact the ITS Service Desk at extension 8-4487, or submit a request form at services.luc.edu.

Learning Technologies and Innovation will keep you at the forefront of educational technology. Whether you need help with a specific tool or just want to explore new ways to use educational technology, the team will support you. Here are the first Learning Technology and Innovation resources to consider.

Finally, Digital Media Services support individual and academic pursuits. Whether taking advantage of their extensive equipment loan program, printing posters, or leveraging webinars or media productions, consider their services your passport to creativity! 

If you teach...

Online, Visit the Office of Online Learning

The Office of Online Learning (OOL), within the Center for Faculty Development, works with faculty to plan, design, and develop online courses and programs at Loyola. OOL offers a variety of services to support your teaching needs, including

1. Instructional Design These services help you to develop and facilitate courses and programs that include clear outcomes, engaging activities, and meaningful assessments.
2. Resources Library Access professional development trainings that prepare you to teach online.
3. Example Course Syllabus Use this to design syllabi for online courses and modify it for in-person instruction. 

An Engaged Learning Required Course, Connect with the Center for Engaged Learning, Teaching, and Scholarship

The Center for Engaged Learning, Teaching, and Scholarship (CELTS) oversees and provides support for the Engaged Learning Requirement, which provides opportunities for students to explore the many different forms of experiential learning as part of their academic coursework, such as service-learning, undergraduate research, and field work. CELTS has a rich library of teaching resources that a great to consult whether you are teaching an engaged learning course or not:

1. Engaged Learning Resources Read about different pedagogical strategies for the range of experiential learning opportunities.
2. Faculty Resource Toolkit Consult this well-curated toolkit by the CELTS team to provide educators with the resources most commonly recommended in CELTS faculty development programs to facilitate high-impact, experiential learning. 

Research at Loyola University Chicago

Conducting research is essential to many of Loyola's faculty. The following offices and resources will support you as you develop your research plans and devise their potential outcomes.

Consult the Office of Research Services (LSC and WTC)

The Office of Research Services, or ORS, for the Lake Shore and Water Tower Campuses assists faculty with externally funded research, training, and public service projects. It processes all applications for external funding and ensures clear communication with sponsors for the life of each research project. The following resources and services are vital to your research and scholarly activity.

1. Cayuse Loyola's single electronic solution for creating and submitting grant proposals and establishing and managing grant awards, sub-awards, and contracts from receipt/set-up through project completion. Loyola began transition to Cayuse in June 2026. Lakeshore IRB reviews will be processed through Cayuse. 
2. ORS Research Administrators Each department at LSC and WTC is assigned its own ORS research administrator. Contact your administrator for additional support.
3. Research Management Resources ORS resources to support you at every step of your grant writing and management process.

Connect with the Office of Research Services (HSC)

The Office of Research Service at the Health Sciences Campus oversees clinical trials, regulatory compliance (IRB, IBC, IACUC), and Grant and Contract Management. Consult the following resources as you develop your research agenda.

1. Pre- and Post-Award Administration Understand proposal submission and award management process by taking advantage of key pre- and post-award support for HSC faculty.
2. Research Compliance Follow the appropriate policies and procedures to conduct grant funded research

Understand Sponsored Program Accounting (SPA)

SPA assists faculty to achieve their sponsored program related goals by coordinating service with ORS, Development, and other relevant administrative services. Housed within the Finance Division, their Grant Policies and Procedures will lead you to the appropriate documentation to complete your sponsored research projects. 

Find Funding with PIVOT

The Pivot database provides access to the most comprehensive global source of funding opportunities. Create an account and discover new funding opportunities today. 

Visit Loyola University Chicago Libraries

The University Libraries offer a variety of research support services, including

1. Subject Specialists A librarian is assigned to each department who can support your research efforts and direct you to subject specific library resources. 
2. Research Consultations Schedule a consultation with a reference librarian who can help you being your research or direct you to more tailored support. 
3. Using the Library Access Loyola University Chicago Libraries services and resources, both in-person and online. This cheat-sheet provides an overview to help you make the most of your library’s resources and services. This is a great page to bookmark!

Faculty Mentorship at Loyola

Mentorship is vital to the success of any faculty member. To ensure that you have access to the mentorship resources you need to develop professionally, visit these resources first.

1. The National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD) provides support to faculty at every stage of their career. Their core curriculum helps faculty create their own mentorship map and navigate complex professional situations. They host webinars on a variety of trending topics such as AI and faculty well-being and facilitate online writing groups for you to complete your next scholarly project. Loyola's membership ensures that you can create a free NCFDD account today.
2. Multistage Mentorship is an opportunity for faculty to take advantage of specialized mentorship opportunities within their college or school. To learn more about your school or college's multistage mentorship plan, please consult your dean. 

Our mentorship page will continue to grow as we announce more opportunities. 

Caring for the Whole You

Loyola University Chicago takes pride in the offices, services, and programs that support faculty well-being and embody the Ignatian value of cura personalis. The following resources and units will help you find communities both on and off campus that nourish your creative, intellectual, and personal growth and development.

Understand and Elect Your Benefits

Benefits are an incredibly important part of how you feel safe and connected to your work and life. The following resources introduce you to your benefit options. 

1. Benefits Booklet Provides access to all documentation related to university provided benefits and programs.
2. Onboarding and Benefits Enrollment Guide An online, centralized repository designed to help you learn about and select benefits.
3. Employee Self-Service The Employee Self-Service portal allows faculty to view and update benefits information with Human Resources on their own. 
4. The Faculty Wellness Program This program supports your health and well-being. Eligible faculty and staff can earn a quarterly wellness rewards bonus money added to their paycheck by completing program requirements.

Connect with the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion fosters a human-centered culture of belonging, serves as a vocal advocate, engaged ally, and collaborative change agent. We encourage you to participate in the following OIDEI resources and programs.

1. Affinity Groups Provide an increased sense of belonging for faculty and staff. 
2. READI Professional Development Series This transformative professional development series fosters racial justice, equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusive excellence (READI) within our university community. 
3. Signature Events and Experiences Discover the power of Jesuit practices intertwined with our DEI mission and vision.

Get to Know Chicago!

The city of Chicago is a vast and vibrant network of neighborhoods and communities. Take advantage of its cultural offerings as you make the city your new home.

1. Visit Chicago Cultural Affairs and Special Events DCASE supports creatives and expands access to the arts throughout Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. Stay up to date on all the activities and events that Chicago offers.
2. Explore Rogers Park, Edgewater, and Water Tower Loyola's Lake Shore and Water Tower Campuses are located in some of Chicago's most exciting neighborhoods and settings. Get to know your surroundings and all they have to offer.