Distinguished Alumni Award
2022 Recipients
On Thursday, October 20th, Loyola School of Education held the annual Distinguished Alumni Awards. It was an evening of celebration as we recognize the contributions and success of our distinguished and dedicated alumni. The School of Education has a long tradition of honoring our graduates who are achieving remarkable success in addressing social inequalities in both their local and global communities.
We are excited to announce the 2022 School of Education Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients. Please join us in congratulating these recipients for their many achievements and contributions to our community and beyond.
The Dean's Distinguished Alumni Award
Michael Hines, PhD
Distinguished alumnus Michael Hines, PhD ’17 & MA ’13, is a graduate of the Cultural and Education Policy Studies. The only educational policy program designed specifically to address systematic inequalities in our education system, Loyola's Cultural and Educational Policy Studies program provided educational leaders with the tools needed to create change for the next generation of students. As a historian of education, Dr. Hines has dedicated his time to the study of how our nation has historically thought about, discussed, legislated, defined, contested, challenged, and changed education both at the level of broad school systems, individual communities, and classrooms. Dr. Hines is an assistant professor at the Stanford Graduate School of Education where he focuses his research on how African Americans in the early twentieth century created new curricular discourses around race and historical representation. Using history as a tool for advancing social justice, Dr. Hines strives to take the perspective and context history provides and apply it to help point towards potential answers for contemporary debates. Dr. Hines’ work has been published in popular outlets such as ChalkBeat, TIME, and the Washington Post, along with scholarly publications including the Journal of African American History, Review of Educational Research, History of Education Quarterly, and the Journal of the History Childhood and Youth. His first book, A Worthy Piece of Work, from Beacon Press, was released earlier this year. Like a true Rambler, Dr. Hines encounters the world as a contemplative in action using his exceptional knowledge, wisdom, and lived experiences to guide his work.
Teaching and Learning Distinguished Alumni Award
Lorenzo Rubio, MA
Distinguished alumnus Lorenzo Rubio, ESL Endorsement ’13, is a graduate of the Teaching and Learning program. The Teaching and Learning program prepares and inspires educational leaders to guide young learners to success and make a positive impact on students’ lives. As an incredible advocate and leader for multilingual learners, Lorenzo does just that. Through his leadership, Lorenzo ensured his school and district committed to structural changes, capacity building, and resources dedicated to welcoming and supporting all students to include newcomers and refugees. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lorenzo discovered many of his multilingual learners and families did not have the technology to access online learning. Being a person for others, he lobbied the district to obtain the needed resources for student learning and success. Lorenzo also established the school’s inclusive practices to better structure the community for the multicultural needs of all students. His care and attention to the growth and development of students positioned him to take a leadership role as the department chair of ESL/bilingual education. Now, as the Director of Multilingual Learners in Fenton School District, he is tapping into his own bilingual and bicultural identity to connect with students and teachers, ensuring the sustainability of the cultural and linguistical practice across programs. Lorenzo is a passionate and committed public servant, and his work epitomizes the Jesuit ideal of service to others rooted in justice and love.
School Psychology Distinguished Alumni Award
Michael Boyle, PhD
Distinguished alumnus Michael Boyle, PhD ’92 & MEd ‘86,is a graduate of the School Psychology program. Through deep collaboration and a commitment to justice, Dr. Boyle helps to bring about transformative educational experiences for all students. His work in the field of school psychology, Catholic education, leadership, equity, and system change is exemplary. With the use and implementation of new educational research, such as Multi-Tiered System of Support, Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support, and evidence-based interventions, Dr. Boyle has been thoughtful in advocating the importance of all children getting an education that maximizes their strengths. As the superintendent of Joliet Archdiocese, Dr. Boyle brings together his expertise, resourcefulness, and dedication to utilizing new approaches to reorganize and execute innovative practices such as PBIS, Trauma Informed Practices, prevention, school improvement, and equity. In spirit of the Jesuit value of discernment, he has prepared the educational community he serves for the possible traumas that can beset schools across the country. Through his passion and devotion to his work and the communities he serves, he truly believes in contributing to the greater good.He cares deeply about hearing all perspectives, respects others’ point of view, challenges students to aim for excellence, and interacts with kindness, respect, and empathy.
Administration and Supervision Distinguished Alumni Award
Erika Mickelburgh, EdD
Distinguished alumna Erika Mickelburgh, EdD ‘16, is a graduate of the Administration and Supervision program. Loyola’s students within the Administration and Supervision program share a deep passion for addressing pervasive social justice and equity issues in school systems. As a school leader, Dr. Mickelburgh strives to provide her students with an inclusive, collaborative community, where each learner’s needs are equitably met through a differentiated curriculum and by receiving a strong faith foundation. As the Principal of St. Paul of the Cross School in Park Ridge, Dr. Mickelburgh leads grade-level unit teams in collaborative efforts to implement a rigorous and inclusive vertically aligned curriculum. Additionally, she ensures the school stays on the cutting edge by encouraging interdisciplinary learning at each grade level in Spanish, physical education, art, music, and STEM, through the curricular alignment of core and practical fine arts teachers. Under Dr. Mickelburgh’s leadership, the school earned the National Blue Ribbon of Excellence Award in 2020. This honor validated the school’s academic excellence in Catholic education which equips faith-filled leaders with 21st century skills. Dr. Mickelburgh truly embodies the cura personalis value by leading her school’s comprehensive approach to advancing students’ social, emotional, physical, and spiritual growth. As a new adjunct faculty member at Loyola, she will be an excellent instructor for the Mission Driven Leadership for Principals program, where other school professionals can gain insights into becoming a leader within their field.
The Terry E. Williams Higher Education Distinguished Alumni Award
Dian Squire, PhD
Distinguished alumnus Dian Squire, PhD ’15, a graduate of the Higher Education program, has lived into the program’s ideals and practices by being a scholar practitioner and an agent of change. Dr. Squire has led multiple initiatives to address issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout his professional career. He has incorporated his extensive knowledge of equity and social justice to advance the student experience within higher education. Dr. Squire has established himself as a leader in higher education with over 28 peer-reviewed manuscripts published in top-tier journals, more than 50 curricula developed on DEI, leadership development, human development, organizational theory and change, and many other topics focused on breaking down barriers to equity in health and education. By taking a holistic approach to student admissions, within his past role at the University of Maryland College Park, the program improved their structural diversity from 14% students of color, when he arrived, to over 57% after two years. Now, as an Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence in the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, Dr. Squire is dedicated to pursuing interdisciplinary anti-oppressive scholarship for socially just institutional transformation. He strives to create an inclusive community where higher education can serve its purpose as a place for democratic education, social change, personal development, and radical thinking to solve the world’s problems.
Counseling Psychology Distinguished Alumni Award
Samantha Nieto, MEd
Distinguished alumna Samantha Nieto, MEd ‘18, is a graduate of the Counseling Psychology program. Loyola's Counseling Psychology program focuses on breaking down barriers to equity in health and education, and Samantha does just that through her involvement in significant school reform projects which focus on the mental health needs of students. Her care for others is seen in her initiatives to support and mentor students at a critical, formative time in their lives. Samantha ensures students, notably her students of color, receive mentoring and role modeling through career days with professionals of color, delivered both in person and virtually, ensuring all students can participate. In addition to her role with Chicago Public Schools, Samantha teaches and supervises new school counselor graduate interns at Loyola Chicago. She has been an instructor for the School Counseling practicum for several years. Students within her course love the real-world experience and expertise she brings to the classroom. Her commitment to training the next generation of professionals is very admirable. In true Magis spirit, she modeled personal excellence and high expectations of achievement when she engaged in subsequent professional development, earning a Certificate in School Discipline Reform, a School of Education and Law School collaboration. Samantha’s remarkable expertise in trauma-informed counseling was featured for a national audience on PBS News Hour for the story "Invisible Scars." Samantha is committed to using her field of study as a tool for advancing social justice.