Dr. Xavier Cole first black president of Loyola New Orleans in 111 years
Dr. Xavier Cole, currently the Vice President for Student Affairs at Marquette University, will be the next President of Loyola University New Orleans, leaving Marquette at the end of the spring 2023 semester after serving the university for seven years. Dr. Cole is an expert on creating a student experience that is grounded in the Catholic, Jesuit tradition and is committed to promoting access and engagement initiatives for students of color and first-generation students in higher education. He will be the first African American president of Loyola New Orleans and its second lay president.
President Michael R. Lovell praised Dr. Cole’s leadership at Marquette, particularly during the pandemic, saying that his genuine care for the students had a positive impact on various aspects of the university. Provost Kimo Ah Yun called him a “model servant leader” and commended his contributions to advancing the university in various meaningful ways.
Dr. Cole expressed gratitude towards Marquette for giving him another opportunity to serve in the Ignatian network and to serve students in the Catholic, Jesuit tradition. He emphasized how belonging to Jesuit higher education and working with Marquette’s students, colleagues, and alumni has been welcoming and supportive. He also acknowledged the exceptional staff of the Division of Student Affairs and thanked them for being a privilege in his career.
Dr. Cole led Marquette’s Mission Priority Examen process for the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities in 2019-20, which affirmed Marquette’s Jesuit, Catholic mission. He also chaired Marquette’s COVID-19 Response Team. Prior to joining Marquette, he was the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at Washington College and served as the Assistant Vice President of the Division of Student Development at Loyola University Maryland.
Dr. Cole earned his bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Mississippi, his master’s in history from Miami University, and his doctorate in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania. His dissertation research focused on mission and identity programs at three Jesuit universities and their impact on mission leadership for laypersons. Currently, he serves as the Chair for the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education Executive Doctorate Alumni Board and was previously the Vice Chair and Director of the Education Committee on the board of Messmer Catholic Schools.
