FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 18, 2021

CONTACT:
Matthew McDermott, University Marketing and Communication
mbedugnis@luc.edu
312.915.6158

LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO ESTABLISHES NEW VICE PRESIDENT OF INSTITUTIONAL DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION POSITION, LAUNCHES SEARCH

The Senior University Officer Will Be Dedicated to Leading and Coordinating DEI Efforts Across the University and Supporting Sustainable Cultural Change

CHICAGO, IL – Loyola University Chicago today announced it has established a new position – Vice President of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). The university has launched an immediate search to fill the newly created role. The position will be dedicated to leading and coordinating DEI efforts across every aspect of the university and establishing measurable institutional outcomes for progress that can be monitored and challenged as Loyola pursues broad and sustainable cultural change.

“Diversity, equity, and inclusion are vital to fulfilling our Jesuit mission and the establishment of this position deepens our commitment to building an institutional platform of diversity, equity, and inclusion that will be a model for others to follow in the future,” said Dr. Jo Ann Rooney, president of Loyola University of Chicago. “Student groups – including Black Student Leaders, the Black Cultural Center, and Student Government Loyola Chicago – were instrumental in this process, highlighting the need for a top-level leader in this role as well as increased resources to support and track our diversity, equity, and inclusion work. I thank them for their candid feedback and look forward to continued conversations as we grow as a university community.”

Dr. Malik S. Henfield, founding dean of the Institute for Racial Justice, will serve as chair of the search committee. In the weeks ahead, Loyola will name members of the search committee – including student representation – and will continue to solicit feedback from across the university about key elements of this role that we will present to candidates in the job description and interviews.

 “Today’s announcement is the result of many months of work, and tough, thoughtful, and honest conversations between Loyola students, administrators, and staff,” said Dr. Henfield. “This is just the first step into making Loyola a more inclusive place and we will continue to work together to identify new opportunities and build on existing best practices from other universities to ensure everyone feels welcome to come to Loyola to begin their educational journey.”

When formed, the search committee will share updates on the process and progress in identifying candidates for the Vice President of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

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About Loyola University Chicago
Founded in 1870, Loyola University Chicago is one of the nation’s largest Jesuit, Catholic universities, with more than 16,600 students. Nearly 11,500 undergraduates call Loyola home. The University has four campuses: three in the greater Chicago area and one in Rome, Italy, as well as course locations in Saigon-Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Vernon Hills, Illinois (Cuneo Mansion and Gardens); and a Retreat and Ecology Campus in Woodstock, Illinois. The University features 14 schools, colleges, and institutes, including Arrupe College of Loyola University Chicago, College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate School, Institute of Environmental Sustainability, Institute of Pastoral Studies, Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health, Quinlan School of Business, School of Communication, School of Continuing and Professional Studies, School of Education, School of Law, School of Social Work, and Stritch School of Medicine. Ranked a top national university by U.S. News & World Report, Loyola is also among a select group of universities recognized for community service and engagement by prestigious national organizations like the Carnegie Foundation and the Corporation for National and Community Service. To learn more about Loyola, visit LUC.edu, “like” us at Facebook.com/LoyolaChicago, or follow us on Twitter via @LoyolaChicago or @LoyolaNewsroom.