Communications

As the chief academic officer at Loyola Marymount University, the Provost recognizes the importance of open and consistent communication with our LMU community. In the spirit of transparency and shared governance, the latest messages and updates from the Provost are available below.

Interim Provost Welcome Letter

June 17, 2025

"I am humbled to have been appointed by LMU President Thomas Poon, Ph.D., to serve as LMU’s interim executive vice president and provost. It is a privilege to serve the community in this new capacity, and I look forward to collaborating with our deans, faculty, and colleagues across LMU’s campuses as we advance the university’s mission together." 

Interim Provost and Search Process

April 28, 2025

"I’m delighted to share that I’ve appointed Kathleen Weaver, Ph.D., as the interim executive vice president and provost, effective June 1, 2025, while we conduct a nationwide search for our next provost."

Announcing New Marymount Institute Director, Elizabeth Drummond

March 20, 2025

"I am pleased to announce the appointment of Elizabeth Drummond, associate professor of history, as the new director of the Marymount Institute for Faith, Culture, and the Arts, effective May 16, 2025."

Start of Collective Bargaining for Visiting Professors

March 18, 2025

"In keeping with our commitment to transparency and open communication, I write to share that collective bargaining for the Visiting Professor Unit, which includes Assistant, Associate, and Professor titles, will begin today, Tuesday, March 18."

Start of Collective Bargaining

December 20, 2024

"As part of our commitment to open communication, I am sharing that the collective bargaining process will begin on Friday, Dec. 20 with the first bargaining session with the university and the Service Employees International Union Local 721 (SEIU) NTT unit."

S.W. Tina Choe, Ph.D., Reappointed as Dean of LMU Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering

November 21, 2024

"I am pleased to reappoint S.W. Tina Choe, Ph.D., as dean of the LMU Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering. Dean Choe’s exceptional leadership has significantly contributed to the success of both the college and the university, and I look forward to our ongoing collaboration." 

LMU Reaches Milestone, Achieves HSI and AANAPISI Statuses

October 30, 2024 

"I am pleased to announce that LMU is now an Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI), having reached two undergraduate enrollment markers for these federally designated statuses." 

Marymount Institute Updates

September 30, 2024 

"Last year, I created a task force to address pressing needs facing the Marymount Institute for Faith, Culture, and the Arts and its crucial role on our campus in promoting interdisciplinary scholarly and creative activity centered in the humanities."

SEIU NTT Visiting Faculty Election Results

September 17, 2024

"Earlier today, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) counted ballots from the in-person election and showed that the LMU non-tenure track visiting faculty voted in favor of union representation by Service Employees International Union."

Provost’s Welcome: Embracing Opportunities for Excellence

September 6, 2024

"First, I am delighted to start the semester with three new deans in place in the LMU Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts, LMU Loyola Law School, and LMU School of Education. Deans Richard Fox, Brietta Clark, and Estela Zarate, respectively, took office over the summer and have already been making headway in meeting with their constituents and discerning their top priorities for their colleges and schools."

Welcome Back, Faculty Colleagues

August 15, 2024

"With the start of the academic year just around the corner, I invite you to reflect on your time away from campus and seek out opportunities to incorporate your research discoveries into your classroom instruction this coming semester." 

112th Commencement Exercises | Reminders for Graduates, Parents, and Families

April 26, 2024

"Commencement is a joyous occasion, and we look forward to celebrating this momentous milestone with you. This year, as we honor your accomplishments, we are taking steps to ensure that your commencement experience is memorable and free from disruption. As always, the university will enforce its policies and protocols to assure the safety and enjoyment of all attendees."

Welcome SOE Dean Estela Zarate, Ph.D.

April 23, 2024

"I am pleased to share that Estela Zarate, Ph.D., will be the next dean of the LMU School of Education, effective July 8, 2024."

Announcing the Task Force on Becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution (BeHSI)

March 14, 2024

"For several years, LMU has publicly acknowledged its goal of becoming a federally recognized Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). The pursuit of HSI status is deeply aligned with LMU's mission and compels the university to challenge societal structures that perpetuate inequality and strive for a world that is more just and equitable."

Provost's Office Leadership Update 

March 7, 2024

"I share a simplified organizational chart that summarizes the new structure that will go into effect on June 1, 2024, along with context for some changes that will impact the existing reporting lines and function of certain areas."

Westchester Academic Calendar Updates

February 20, 2024

"I am writing to share changes to the academic calendar that will impact academic year 24=25 and the subsequent academic years through 2030."

NTT Unionization Update and Resources

January 17, 2024

"In my message on November 20, I promised to update you on the recent efforts to unionize our non-tenure track (NTT) faculty."

Welcome LLS Dean Brietta Clark, J.D. 

December 19, 2023

"I am pleased to announce that Brietta Clark, J.D., will be the next Fritz B. Burns Dean of LMU Loyola Law School."

Non-Tenure Track Faculty Unionization Campaign Update

November 20, 2023

"Several of you have approached the deans or me seeking to learn more about recent efforts to unionize our non-tenure track (NTT) faculty. I offer these updates to advance our shared commitment to transparency."

Academic Freedom and Faculty Protection

November 15, 2023

"A new resource from my office has recently been published about academic freedom and faculty protection."

Welcome BCLA Dean Richard Fox, Ph.D.

October 25, 2023

"I am pleased to share that Professor Richard Fox will be the next dean of the LMU Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts, effective June 1, 2024."

Faculty Tenure and Promotion Announcement
September 27, 2023

"Each fall, I take the opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of our fellow colleagues who have advanced to tenure, have been promoted in rank, or both."

Celebrating the Year Ahead
September 7, 2023

"I have been delighted to experience the telltale signs of the new semester spreading across our campuses as our community returns for the fall semester."

Archive of Provost Communications

• Spring 2023
• Fall 2022
• Summer 2022
• Spring 2022
• Fall 2021
• Summer 2021
• Spring 2021
• Fall 2020
• Summer 2020
• Spring 2020
• Spring 2019
• Fall 2018
• Summer 2018
• Fall 2017