Provost Updates - August 2026
August 25, 2026
Dear Faculty Colleagues,
Welcome to a new academic year! This is one of my favorite times at Loyola Marymount University. There is a particular energy that comes with the start of the fall semester — the arrival of new students and new colleagues; the return of familiar faces; and the sense that we are beginning again together. A new year brings fresh perspectives, new possibilities for learning and growth, and renewed opportunities to advance our shared academic mission.
As you begin the semester, I hope you will take a moment to consider what you are especially looking forward to this year, whether it is a new course or project, a question you are eager to explore, the return to work that matters deeply to you, or simply the opportunity to engage with students and colleagues in new ways.
For me, I begin this year especially excited about the team in the Provost’s Office and the work we will do together in support of our academic community. This summer, we welcomed several new members to that team: Eddie Siebert, S.J., dean of the LMU School of Film and Television; Mairead Sullivan, associate provost for Academic Programs Strategy; and Jennifer Pate, special assistant to the provost for Academic Initiatives. I am grateful to welcome each of them and excited about the experience, creativity, and commitment they bring to supporting our students, faculty, and academic endeavors.
Throughout the year, I will continue to send a monthly Provost Update to share news from Academic Affairs, highlight opportunities for faculty engagement, and keep you informed about initiatives and programs underway in the Provost’s Office and across the university.
Please see below for important updates, announcements, and reminders for the weeks and months ahead.
New Faculty and Biosketch Booklet
We're excited to welcome our new faculty for the academic year. I encourage you to explore our New Faculty Biosketch Booklet to learn more about the outstanding scholars, educators, and practitioners who have joined the LMU community.
Doubling Faculty Promotion Increase Amounts
The Provost’s Office and Human Resources have been working closely to advance faculty compensation and ensure that LMU maintains equitable, competitive, and sustainable compensation practices. As I shared during the Provost's community conversations, we are committed to increasing faculty promotion amounts. While the original implementation model contemplated a phased approach, the university reviewed alternative implementation options in light of faculty feedback and its commitment to strengthening faculty compensation.
Following that review, the university has approved full implementation of the increased promotion amounts beginning with promotions effective Aug. 15, 2026. This decision reflects the university's commitment to recognizing faculty achievement while balancing long-term fiscal sustainability. Faculty members promoted effective Aug. 15, 2026 have received updated compensation information.
2026 New Student Convocation
New Student Convocation marks the official welcome of our incoming class of first-year and transfer students, introducing them to the university’s mission, values, and community. When our university community comes together to demonstrate our collective commitment to these students as they begin their journey at LMU, it fosters a shared sense of belonging and sets the tone for their academic career from day one. Please RSVP for the event here.
Mass of the Holy Spirit
I want to encourage you to join me in attending the Mass of the Holy Spirit in Sacred Heart Chapel on Tuesday, September 8, at 12:05 p.m. (with lunch to follow in the Sculpture Garden). The custom of beginning a new academic year by invoking the Holy Spirit, which has a strong connection to wisdom in the Christian tradition, dates back to the earliest Jesuit schools. I am especially looking forward to this year’s Mass because it also serves as the occasion for formally installing our dear colleague, Father José Ignacio Badenes, S.J., as the new Rector of the LMU Jesuit Community. I know that Fr. Badenes will appreciate seeing many of his academic colleagues on this special day.
Welcome Back Lunch with the Office of Faculty Engagement
As we transition into the new academic year, the Office of Faculty Engagement (OFE) would like to invite you to attend a series of “welcome back” lunches offered from Sept. 1-3, 2026. Each lunch will be held from noon-1 p.m. in the VDA Family Suite of Hannon Library. There is no scheduled agenda for the lunches, so feel free to drop in for the entire lunch or say a quick hello and then “grab-and-go” if you have to get to your next class or meeting.
Heather Tarleton, Jonathan Rothchild, and Mairead Sullivan will be in attendance. You will also have a chance to meet Josh Schuschke, director of Faculty Experience Initiatives, and Rachel Weiher, director of Inclusive Teaching and Pedagogical Effectiveness. To RSVP, please fill out this form by Aug. 26, 2026. You are welcome to come to any of the lunches. We would love to see you as often as possible. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Teacher.Scholar@lmu.edu.
As we begin the semester, I hope you will find opportunities in the weeks ahead to connect with colleagues, welcome new members of our community, and experience some of the energy and possibility that make the beginning of an academic year so special.
Thank you, as always, for all that you bring to LMU. I am grateful to begin another year alongside you and look forward to all that we will learn, create, and accomplish together.
Wishing you a wonderful start to the semester.
Warmly,
Kat Weaver, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President and Provost
Professor of Biology