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The Wozniak Lecture Series
The Unfinished Educator
THE 2025 INSTALLMENT OF THE JOHN M. WOZNIAK LECTURE SERIES
The Loyola School of Education proudly presents the 2025 Wozniak Event, honoring our founding dean, Dr. John M. Wozniak. Since its inception in 2009, the Wozniak Lecture Series has evolved over time, reflecting topics of significance in our ever-changing world. This year, we welcome a panel of accomplished educational administrators, including two Loyola SOE alumni, who have worked together across districts and made a statewide impact.
Join us for "The Unfinished Educator," a candid conversation about the evolving journey of education, teachers, and leaders in our current context. The panel will include two distinguished Loyola alumni serving as superintendents, along with the chair of the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), who will reflect on the growth, resilience, and future of educational leadership.
Featured on the panel are Michael Lubelfeld (EdD '05) and Nick Polyak (EdD '07), co-authors of Leading for Tomorrow’s Schools Today. Drawing on their experiences as superintendents, the book offers a forward-thinking guide for educational leaders, with practical strategies for navigating change, fostering innovation, and building school cultures that support both educators and students.
Michael J. Boyle (MEd ’86, PhD ’92)
Michael J. Boyle (MEd ’86, PhD ’92)
Michael J. Boyle (MEd ’86, PhD ’92) is executive director of the Herrmann Center for Innovative Catholic Education at Saint Louis University and a nationally recognized leader in Catholic education. With more than 30 years of experience in Catholic schools, he has served as a superintendent, director, principal, special education coordinator, and school psychologist. A longtime advocate for inclusive education and mission-driven leadership, Boyle is the recipient of numerous honors, including Loyola’s Heart of Loyola Award and two Distinguished Alumni Awards.
Read MorePAST SERIES
2025 Wozniak Lecture Series
In 2025, the lecture series featured education leaders for “The Unfinished Educator,” a candid conversation about the evolving roles of teachers and educational leaders. Loyola alumni and superintendents Michael Lubelfeld (EdD ’05) and Nick Polyak (EdD ’07), along with Illinois State Board of Education Chair, Steven Isoye, shared insights on leadership, resilience, innovation, and navigating change in today’s educational landscape.
2024 Wozniak Lecture Series
In 2024, the lecture series changed to a live podcast recording format that focuses on human rights in education. Learn more by listening to the thought-provoking discussion in which we continue Dr. Wozniak’s legacy of advancing education and fostering meaningful dialogue on the most pressing issues of our time.
2023 Wozniak Lecture Series
2023's three-part series on LGBTQ+ education provided invaluable insights into the ongoing fight for inclusion. The sessions examined the historical context of current challenges, shared real-world experiences from educators, and critically analyzed the narratives shaping LGBTQ+ education. Attendees left with practical tools and a deeper understanding of how to create more inclusive environments in their schools and communities.
Leadership in Education
Dr. John M. Wozniak
Dr. John Wozniak joined the faculty of Loyola University Chicago in 1950. One year later, he was made acting chair of the Department of Education. He served for 18 years in that capacity until the founding of the School of Education in 1969, when he became dean, a position he held for 10 years. John was a remarkable educator, scholar, mentor, colleague, and friend to all those passing through the School of Education. Dr. Wozniak retired in 1984 and remained active in the School of Education alumni events until his death in 2013.