Loyola University Chicago Names Virginia McDermott, PhD as Dean of the School of Communication

CHICAGO – March 5, 2024 

Loyola University Chicago announced today that Virginia McDermott, PhD, has been appointed as Dean of the School of Communication, effective July 1.

Dr. McDermott is currently Dean of the Nido R. Qubein School of Communication at High Point University, where she also holds a faculty appointment teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in health communication, research methods, and persuasion and media effects.

Dr. McDermott brings extensive experience in organizational training, particularly in fostering positive organizational environments. Her publications include articles in Communication Theory and The Journal of International and Intercultural Communication.

In addition to her leadership as dean at HPU since 2010, Dr. McDermott previously held a faculty position in the Department of Communication and Journalism at the University of New Mexico for nearly a decade. Her research examines the impact of problematic events on relationships and conversations, communication’s role in coping mechanisms, and using communication campaigns to address social inequities. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Dean McDermott into our community,” said Provost Margaret Callahan. “She is a proven administrator with a clear vision for emerging areas of communication. Additionally, her scholarship and her practice are rooted in service to others and aligned with our Jesuit, Catholic mission–such as her work with students to demonstrate the power of effective communication in combating health disparities.” 

“The School of Communication is a thriving educational community with so many distinctive student-led communication experiences,” said Dr. McDermott. “From Chicago’s premier college radio experience in WLUW to the award-winning Loyola Phoenix and innovative Inigo Communications advertising agency–our students have unparalleled opportunities to learn their field in one of the most important media markets in the world. I can’t wait to begin working with them and our extraordinary faculty and staff.”

Dr. McDermott earned her BA in communication from The College of New Jersey, followed by a MA in communication at Texas State University, and a PhD in communication from the University of Illinois.

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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. 

About the School of Communication
Located in Chicago, one of the world’s great communication centers, the School of Communication provides an ideal setting for integrating study with practical application in the expanding field of communication. Students benefit from a distinguished scholarly faculty working with experienced professionals in the areas of journalism, media studies, public advocacy, film and documentary production, game design, advertising, as well as cultural and strategic communication. Now celebrating its 15th year, the school offers state-of-the-art on-site production facilities, labs, and equipment, as well as proximity to Chicago’s vast production community. Loyola is home to a 24-hour FM radio station, an award-winning student newspaper, and an extensive internship program. To learn more about the school, visit LUC.edu/communication or follow us on Twitter or on Facebook.