Mission Priority Examen

Loyola University Maryland has been formally invited to participate in the second phase of the Mission Priority Examen (MPE). All Jesuit colleges and universities are required to participate in the MPE, engaging in institutional reflection on our Jesuit, Catholic mission, on how we are advancing our 2019 Mission Priorities, and how we are exhibiting the characteristics of Jesuit higher education.

History

Loyola first began this process back in 2019, producing a report that is available through this link. Loyola University Maryland’s Catholic and Jesuit identity was affirmed by Rev. Arturo Sosa, S.J., Superior General of the Society of Jesus in 2020. At the conclusion of our first MPE process, the following mission priorities were identified by our Loyola community:

1. Ignatian Formation
2. Equity and Inclusion
3. Environmental Sustainability

Process

This fall we begin the second round of this process, which is conducted by the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) Presidents and Jesuit Provincial Superiors. The institutional Examen moves through several stages, outlined below:

1. School commits to Examen during a given year.
2. National Coordinating Committee sends school documents describing the process, offers conference call/meeting to answer questions.
3. School and Province Higher Ed Assistant select peer visitors.
4. School submits one-page timetable/local approach for their Examen.
5. School gathers opinions, identifies recent Jesuit Mission Priorities and decides which, if any, to change, and writes a summative report.
6. Peer Committee visits and sends draft report back to give school opportunity to correct factual errors, express objections, and amend priorities in light of draft Peer Report.
7. Provincial sends his advice, with final Peer Visit Report, to Fr. General. Jesuit Conference President sends his advice to Fr. General.
8. Fr. General sends a letter to Provincial, who communicates content to school, other local constituencies including bishop, AJCU President, and National Coordinating Committee.
9. In light of Fr. General’s response, school works to implement its mission priorities.

Steering Committee

As we begin this institutional examination of our mission and identity as a Jesuit, Catholic university, President Terrence M. Sawyer, J.D. has appointed a Self-Study Committee to lead our efforts.

Chair

Milton Javier Bravo, Ph.D., Vice President for Mission and Identity 

Vice Chair

Stephanie Coldren, Chief of Staff

Members

• Rev. Tim Brown, S.J., Assistant to the President for Mission Integration & Associate Professor of Law and Social Responsibility
• Rita Buettner, Director of University Communications 
• Mary Sue Callan-Farley, Director of the Center for Community, Service, and Justice
• Rev. Greg Chisholm, S.J., Superior of the Jesuit Community 
• Joan Flynn, Associate Vice President for External Affairs
• Brigid Gregory, Director of Sustainability
• Gia Grier McGinnis, Dr.PH., Executive Director, Neighborhood Resilience and Community Engagement
• Emily Kane, Director of Campus Ministry
• Rev. Richard McGowan, S.J., Assistant Professor of the Practice/Economics
• Jason Parcover, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Student Well Being
• Rodney Parker, Ph.D., Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer
• Helen Schneider, Associate Vice President for Facilities and Campus Services
• Rev. Steve Spahn, S.J., Assistant to the Director of Mission Integration & Affiliate Faculty of Theology
• Joseph Stewart-Sicking, Ed.D., Professor of Counseling, Department of Education Specialties
• Becky Walker, Ph.D., Assistant Teaching Professor of Theology 

Consultants

• Stephanie Brizee, Special Advisor to the President
• Tracey Frey, Assistant Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness and Academic Assessment

Opportunities to Participate

The Self-Study Committee will begin their process of conducting several Ignatian Examens (which will be similar to listening sessions) this fall. Those sessions will be geared toward better understanding our mission priorities and how we advance the characteristics of Jesuit higher education.

They will also offer an opportunity for us to focus our institutional discernment on a question we have received from the Rev. Joseph O’Keefe, S.J., the provincial of the USA East Province of the Society of Jesus. He asks our community to consider our mission while considering the priorities of the USA East Province (UEA) Apostolic Plan and our University’s strategic plan, Together We Rise. Fr. O’Keefe writes, “In light of the UEA Apostolic Plan’s priorities and Loyola University’s new strategic plan, what emphases and resources will Loyola make in maintaining and advancing its Catholic, Jesuit mission and identity?”

We hope you will be able to attend one of the Ignatian Examens, but we also invite you to submit your responses here:

Provide Feedback

The process will lead us to the creation of a Self-Study Document, which will be shared with a Peer-Team of Jesuit educators during their Fall 2026 visit of our campus.