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Loyola University Chicago’s new University-Wide Student Success Strategy is designed to strengthen student retention, graduation, career outcomes, and equity across the University.
The strategy, developed over the 2025–26 academic year under the leadership of Fr. Michael Rozier, S.J., vice provost for strategic initiatives, directly advances Loyola’s strategic plan, For the Greater Good, with particular emphasis on Pillar 1: Deliver on the Promise of a Jesuit Education.
“We have an obligation to make sure every student experiences the full strength of a Loyola education,” said Provost Douglas W. Woods. “Loyola is well positioned to take on this work, and this strategy gives us a shared, coordinated path forward, grounded in who we are as a Jesuit institution.”
More than 55 faculty and staff across three workgroups spent Fall 2025 assessing Loyola’s current programming, data systems, and best practices from peer institutions. Their findings shaped a university-wide framework, with small groups developing detailed action plans for each initiative over the summer.
“Over this past year, we clearly saw how many people across Loyola care deeply about our students and already have real insight into what would help them succeed,” said Fr. Rozier, who oversaw the development of the strategy. “In addition to some key new initiatives, one of our jobs was to listen carefully and build a framework that lets all those efforts become connected rather than operate in silos.”
Four pillars
The strategy is organized around four interconnected pillars, each led by a Pillar Chair:
- Foster a Welcoming, Responsive Community of Care (Chair: Will Rodriguez, dean of students)—Focused on coordinated support, peer mentoring, and a stronger sense of belonging.
- Accompany All Students Along Clear, Connected Pathways (Chair: Virginia McDermott, dean of the School of Communication)—Developing degree roadmaps, improved advising, and a new student navigation center.
- Center Student Success on Discernment, Purpose, and Vocation (Chair: Claire Noonan, vice president for mission integration)—Incorporating reflection, character development, and integrated career advising rooted in Jesuit mission.
- Create the Conditions for Sustained Excellence (Chair: Jamie Wittenberg, dean of University Libraries)—Bringing together data systems, predictive analytics, and course-level interventions to support long-term success.
What’s happening this year
Year One (2026–27) includes ten major projects and ten pilot initiatives, ranging from faculty development on the pedagogy of care to a new character-formation framework and interventions in courses with high rates of D, F, and withdrawal grades.
Implementation will be guided by an Advisory Group chaired by Provost Woods, an Executive Steering Committee led by Andy Wilson, in a new role as vice provost for student success, and Initiative Teams made up of faculty and staff stewarding action plans within each pillar.
Faculty and staff with ideas or questions about the strategy can reach out to the respective Pillar Chair or contact Andy Wilson at wwilson3@luc.edu.
