January 2024 

Dear Ramblers, 

As the first-generation college student in my family, I have experienced firsthand the transformational power that a Jesuit education can provide. It charges you to learn, live, and lead with compassion in a globally diverse society. It trains you to think critically about yourself, the world around you, and how to leave a positive impact wherever you land.  

It is my honor to lead a pathway for all Loyola University Chicago students to have this transformational experience with my team at the Division of Student Development (DSD). At DSD, we aim to equip students with the core competencies to holistically thrive in excellence – during and after their Loyola experience. In my adherence to cura personalis, or care for the whole person, I am always accessible and available to our students. 

I have always grounded my work in values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism, which includes combating discrimination, such as antisemitism and Islamophobia. These values, which we share with Loyola, are at the nucleus of everything we do for our students at DSD – from the initiatives we lead, the professional development training we engage in, and the culture we build. There is no place for bigotry or hate in our community, and our accomplishments as a unit embody our resistance to divisiveness. 

The areas of our division represent the various ways we approach student development: from wellness, DEI and anti-racism, intentional community-building, ethical leadership, conflict resolution, and more. We collaborate across all our campuses in a boundaryless manner to build cooperative, collaborative, and synergistic partnerships to facilitate students’ development and learning. Across the 10 plus departments within our division, highly skilled and compassionate leaders coalesce to build a united vision towards the success of our students.  

Those who know me know that it is my most significant responsibility to ensure that all students at Loyola feel safe and feel a sense of belonging. Fostering a community of connection, care, and anti-discrimination is the approach that my DSD team takes to make that happen. This includes listening and learning from our students and their parents in times of concern.  We are committed to proactively responding to the issues that impact our students, and addressing issues to swiftly offer support to them as they navigate a diverse, global, and increasingly complex, ever-changing world. 

From establishing the VP Student Advisory Council, the Parent and Family Advisory Council, DSD Staff Leadership Institute, the Rambler Brotherhood Project, the Student Response Team Committee, the Staff Leadership Council, and hosting over 25,000 participants for our signature events: we accomplished a lot during 2022-2023 academic year. I encourage you to read our executive summary to get a download of our greatest wins, opportunities, and challenges. 

As I reflect on my two years at Loyola during the conclusion of the 2023 fall semester, I can say with certainty that all students at Loyola have support at their disposal to pursue their hopes, dreams, and to become their best selves in the process. At DSD, it is our honor to accompany them through their transformational student journey with the tools they need to prosper individually and collectively.  

With optimism and hope, 

Keith M. Champagne, PhD 

Vice President of the Division of Student Development