Emily Barman Named to National Council of Graduate Schools Taskforce

CHICAGO – March 18, 2024

Loyola University Chicago announced today that Emily Barman, PhD, dean of the Graduate School and vice provost of graduate education, has been named to a national taskforce appointed by the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) that will study student support and efforts to mitigate rising costs in graduate education. 

Alongside more than a dozen deans of graduate schools across the country, Dean Barman will work to study and propose actions to manage the cost of graduate education while maintaining or improving the student experience. The CGS Cost of Graduate Education taskforce will incorporate higher education financing, policy, and other expert insights to explore these issues and develop a framework of guiding principles that will optimize the accessibility, affordability, and quality of graduate education.

Dean Barman will replace Douglas W. Woods, PhD, on the taskforce as he transitions into his new role as Loyola’s provost and chief academic officer this summer.  

“Dr. Woods had outstanding success in supporting graduate and professional students at Marquette University that resulted in historic revenue, enrollment, and visibility for the university’s graduate programs,” said Suzanne T. Ortega, president of the Council of Graduate Schools. “We will miss his regular presence and counsel but know that he will continue to support high quality graduate education in his new role at Loyola. We look forward to partnering with Dr. Barman to address these pressing issues.” 

Dean Barman, who previously served as associate dean of the Graduate School at Boston University, brings extensive leadership in graduate education to the taskforce. Since joining the University in 2020, she has worked to implement holistic professional, social, and personal support for all of Loyola’s graduate students.  

“I’m honored to be joining this taskforce,” said Dean Barman. “The questions facing the graduate education community will have long-term consequences for our advanced workforce and the scholarly enterprise nationwide. I’m excited to engage in this important and collaborative work to consider ways to mitigate costs to students while protecting program quality and ensuring the value proposition of graduate education.” 

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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 nearly 16,600 students. The University has four campuses: three in the greater Chicago area and one in Rome, Italy, as well as course locations in Vernon Hills, Illinois (Cuneo Mansion and Gardens), and a Retreat and Ecology Campus in Woodstock, Illinois. The University features 15 schools, colleges, and institutes. Ranked a leading 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 including AmeriCorps and the Carnegie Foundation. To learn more about Loyola, visit LUC.edu or follow us on Twitter via @LoyolaChicago.