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A Message from the Vice President of University Advancement 

If you are taking the time to read this, there is probably some positive experience in your past with the faculty at Loyola—like someone who was a mentor to you or your child or grandchild, or a professor who did important research or had a great direct impact in greater New Orleans and beyond. The great members of the Loyola faculty all have some native talent for being teachers or mentors, but the best ones don't rest easy on inherited ability alone. The best are always looking for ways to get better—that's the Ignatian practice of seeking the Magis.

Loyola's is the leading resource for faculty here who want to do just that. The Center's first email of 2023-24 to faculty reminded me of just how hard and work to support great teaching and mentoring at the university. For example, over just the next several weeks, the Center will host discussions and training with faculty on how to use Loyola's course-building platform, how to implement best practices on ensuring learning and retention, how to lead difficult conversations with students and others, and how to find community and build a scholar network.

I think when we think of teacher education, most people think of K-12 educators. At Loyola, we don't simply assume our experts in biological sciences, marketing, or law are ready to roll as great teachers from the start (though many of them are). I know our academic leaders do everything they can to create and sustain an atmosphere of classroom, laboratory, and studio excellence. Loyola's small class sizes are the right environment in which our students can be challenged but also supported.

While I have you, I'm sharing links to President Xavier Cole's addresses at our recent and our . At both convocations, I was struck with what a committed educator Dr. Cole is, in the broadest sense of the term. It's been an exciting and positive start to the 2023-24 academic year. Come and see us!

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Chris Wiseman '88