March 25th 2023.
The Loyola University New Orleans Board of Trustees today appointed Xavier A. Cole, Ed.D., a compassionate, student-centered supervisor of Jesuit institutions, as the university's 18th president. Cole will be the first person of color and the second layperson to lead the 111-year-old institution. At present, he is serving as Marquette University's vice president for student affairs, and will commence his tenure at Loyola on June 1. The Loyola community was notified of Cole's appointment via video message, ahead of an on-site campus event tomorrow at 1 p.m.
"Dr. Cole is a highly experienced higher education administrator who has devoted his career to the study and protection of Jesuit, Catholic institutions in America, and to the service of their students," said Stephen Landry, Chair of the Board of Trustees.
"I am committed to fortifying this prosperous institution by looking for mission-aligned partnerships, guaranteeing our economic health and stability, and investing in those who work and learn here," Cole said. "There is so much opportunity for us to rise to meet the needs of our city, our state, and our region – needs in the business community, education sector, and healthcare fields. Loyola has the required academic programs not only to prepare future successful employees, but to put them in place as reliable leaders."
Cole's selection by a unanimous board vote on Friday, March 17, culminates a seven-month, national search by the Presidential Search Committee consisting of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and parents. With the assistance of executive search firm Isaacson, Miller, the committee selected four finalists from dozens of applicants and welcomed them to campus last month for final interviews.
"We have
found a real gem for our students in Dr. Cole," said Robért LeBlanc, Chair of the Presidential Search Committee and Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees. "Throughout his career, Dr. Cole has been guided by Ignatian-influenced education ideals of strengthening the mind, body, and spirit."
A musical hobby reflects Cole's love of student life and makes him suitable for a campus located in the birthplace of jazz. At each stop in his career as a senior administrator, Cole, an accomplished trombone and euphonium player, has sought permission to audition for and play in student orchestra pits and jazz bands. Cole's participation in these ensembles has enabled students to understand him as more than a student affairs professional.
"I view Loyola New Orleans students as a force of nature and the heart of the university — the very reason we do our work as educators. I can't wait to find out more about their aspirations and how they plan to use their gifts to improve the world," Cole said.
A product of Biloxi, Mississippi, Cole holds a bachelor's in history from the University of Mississippi, and a master's, again in history, from Miami University. Cole discovered his passion for student affairs as a resident advisor at Ole Missand then as a graduate hall director at Miami.
The Loyola University New Orleans Board of Trustees today named Xavier A. Cole, Ed.D., an empathetic, student-centered leader of Jesuit institutions, as the university's 18th president. Cole will become the first person of color, and the second layperson, to lead the 111-year-old institution. Currently serving as Marquette University's vice president for student affairs, Cole will commence his tenure at Loyola on June 1. He was declared today to the Loyola community via video message, in advance of an in-person campus event tomorrow at 1 p.m.
"Dr. Cole is a uniquely experienced higher education administrator who has devoted his career to the study and preservation of Jesuit, Catholic institutions in America, and to the service of their students," said Stephen Landry, Chair of the Board of Trustees.
"I am committed to fortifying this thriving institution by seeking out mission-aligned partnerships, promoting our financial health and stability, and investing in those who work and learn here," Cole said. "There is so much possibility for us to rise up to meet the needs of our city, our state, and our region – needs in the business community, education sector, and healthcare fields. Loyola has the essential academic programs not only to ready future successful employees, but to position them as trusted leaders."
Cole's appointment by a unanimous board vote on Friday, March 17, concludes a seven-month, national search by the Presidential Search Committee representing faculty, staff, students, alumni, and parents. With the help of executive search firm Isaacson, Miller, the committee culled four finalists from dozens of applicants and invited them to campus last month for final interviews.
"We have found a real gem for our students in Dr. Cole," said Robért LeBlanc, Chair of the Presidential Search Committee and Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees. "Throughout his career, Dr. Cole has been guided by Ignatian-influenced education ideals of strengthening the mind, body, and spirit."
A musical hobby
reflects Cole's love of student life and makes him well-suited to a campus within the birthplace of jazz. At each stop in his career as a senior administrator, Cole, an accomplished trombone and euphonium player, has asked for permission to audition for and play in student orchestra pits and jazz bands. Cole's presence in these ensembles has allowed students to understand him as more than a student affairs professional.
"I see Loyola New Orleans students as a force of nature and the heart of the university — the very reason we do our work as educators. I can't wait to learn more about their dreams and how they plan to use their gifts to improve the world," Cole said.
A product of Biloxi, Mississippi, Cole holds a bachelor's in history from the University of Mississippi, and a master's, again in history, from Miami University. Cole discovered his passion for student affairs as a resident advisor at Ole Miss and then as a graduate hall director at Miami.
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