As Loyola Marymount University (LMU) approaches the end of the third year of its strategic plan, “Creating the World We Want to Live In, 2021-26,” the institution is poised to continue fostering an inclusive, innovative, and impactful educational environment. LMU has made significant strides across various initiatives aimed at enhancing diversity, promoting interdisciplinary learning, providing personalized student support, and expanding access to education. These efforts collectively reflect LMU’s commitment to shaping the future of higher education. The progress in these areas signifies a transformative era for LMU, ensuring that the university remains a beacon of higher learning committed to inclusivity and innovation.
Advancing Justice and Inclusion in Education
One of the cornerstone initiatives of LMU’s strategic plan is “Learning for Justice, Inclusion, and Transformation,” overseen by Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Emelyn dela Pena. The initiative has led to critical updates in the Core Curriculum to make it more inclusive and equitable, with particular attention to the “Studies in American Diversity” and “Engaged Learning” requirements. Faculty-led revisions aim to structure the curriculum around the values of equity and inclusivity, ensuring all students benefit from a broadened perspective. By embedding these values into the core academic structure, LMU ensures that every student engages with diverse viewpoints and learns in an inclusive environment.
Efforts to diversify LMU’s faculty, staff, and senior leadership have been highly successful, thanks to new hiring practices designed to achieve broad representation. These practices are part of a broader strategy aimed at mirroring the university’s commitment to social justice in its staffing and leadership. Such initiatives underscore LMU’s steadfast commitment to justice and inclusion, echoing the university’s long-term goal of becoming a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). By embedding these values into the institutional fabric, LMU ensures that justice and inclusivity are not mere ideals but actionable priorities that permeate every aspect of the university’s ethos.
Fostering Integrative and Interdisciplinary Thinking
Led by Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education Jonathan Rothchild, the initiative focused on integrative and interdisciplinary thinking is transforming how students learn and collaborate. A major development in this area is the creation of the Business, Engineering, Science, and Technology (BEST) interdisciplinary program. This collaborative effort between the College of Business Administration (CBA) and the Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering (CSE) embodies the essence of interdisciplinary education by combining expertise from both business and technical fields. The BEST program serves as a template for how interdisciplinary courses can break down traditional academic silos and prepare students for the complexities of the modern workforce.
Additionally, several new interdisciplinary major and minor programs are in the works, propelled by faculty working groups supported by the Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts (BCLA). The Center for Teaching Excellence, now known as the Center for Faculty Development, has also been instrumental by hosting Faculty Learning Communities and events that champion integrative pedagogies. These collaborative teaching approaches are central to LMU’s vision of fostering a cohesive and interconnected educational environment. By promoting interdisciplinary learning, LMU is ensuring that students are not just subject experts but also versatile thinkers capable of addressing multifaceted problems.
Strengthening Personalized Student Connections
Assistant Vice Provost for Strategic Initiatives Jennifer Belichesky-Larson leads the effort to create personalized connections for student success, driving initiatives that tailor support to individual student needs. A key milestone in this endeavor is the upcoming launch of the LionConnect platform in August 2024. This personalized dashboard will serve as a nexus for students to link up with faculty and staff for scheduling, advising, and degree planning. LionConnect is envisioned to be the cornerstone of a “web of support,” symbolizing LMU’s commitment to fostering a comprehensive and nurturing educational environment.
By offering tailored support systems, LMU strives to ensure that every student has access to the resources and guidance necessary to succeed, thereby enhancing the overall student experience. Such personalized support avenues are critical in providing a safety net that helps students navigate their academic journeys with increased confidence and efficiency. These efforts to foster individualized connections not only aim to enhance academic performance but also seek to improve overall student well-being. The initiative underscores LMU’s dedication to creating an environment where students feel supported both academically and personally.
Innovating Graduate and Professional Education
Vice Provost for Academic Programs José Badenes, S.J., oversees initiatives aimed at bolstering graduate and professional education through innovation. One of the standout achievements is the introduction of the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree, marking LMU’s first new doctoral program in more than a decade. Additionally, several new master’s degree programs, both in-person and online, have been launched, showcasing LMU’s commitment to expanding its graduate education offerings. These new programs are designed to cater to the evolving needs of the professional world, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped to excel in their respective fields.
Strategic investments in research support structures have paid off, with external research grants reaching a record $16.2 million. This 35% increase compared to the first year of the strategic plan highlights LMU’s focus on promoting advanced research and scholarship, positioning the university as a leader in graduate education and research innovation. This boost in research funding not only enhances the university’s academic standing but also contributes to the broader community by facilitating groundbreaking research and innovations. By fostering a robust research environment, LMU is equipping its graduate students and faculty to push the boundaries of knowledge and contribute meaningfully to their fields.
Expanding Access to LMU Education
As Loyola Marymount University (LMU) nears the conclusion of its third year under the strategic plan “Creating the World We Want to Live In, 2021-26,” the university stands ready to keep nurturing an educational environment defined by inclusiveness, innovation, and impactful teaching. LMU has achieved meaningful progress on numerous fronts, including bolstering diversity, championing interdisciplinary studies, offering tailored student support, and broadening educational access. These initiatives underscore LMU’s steadfast dedication to influencing the future landscape of higher education. The advancements in these key areas mark a transformative phase for LMU, ensuring that the institution continues to serve as a leading light in higher learning, committed to fostering an inclusive and forward-thinking academic community. As LMU keeps evolving, it remains focused on equipping students not just with knowledge, but with the skills and mindset to contribute positively to society, reinforcing its role as an educational pioneer in the modern world.
