Xavier Cole to Become the 18th President of Loyola University

The Loyola University New Orleans Board of Trustees appointed Xavier Cole, Ed.D, today as the university’s 18th president. An emphatic, student-centered leader, Cole becomes the first person of color to lead the 111-year-old institution. Currently serving as Marquette University’s vice president for student affairs, his tenure at Loyola will begin on June 1.

The Chair of the Board of Trustees, Stephen Landry, said Dr. Cole is a has great experience as a higher education administrator. He also said that the new president has dedicated his career to studying and preserving Jesuit Catholic institutions in America. 

Dr. Cole said he is committed to strengthening the institution through mission-aligned partnerships. He also said he would promote the school’s financial health and stability. Concerning Loyola’s future, Cole said there was a huge opportunity to rise to meet the needs of the city, state, and region in different fields. These include the business community, education sector, and healthcare. 

On March 17, Cole’s appointment completed a seven-month national search by the Presidential Search Committee. This body represents the school’s faculty, staff, students, alumni, and parents. With assistance from the executive search firm Isaacson, Miller, the committee chose four finalists from dozens of applicants. The school invited these professionals to the campus in February for final interviews. 

The Chair of the Presidential Search Committee, Robert LeBlanc, said the school found a rare gem for its students in Dr. Cole. He also said Cole had been guided through his career by educational ideals of fortifying the mind, body, and spirit.

Cole holds a bachelor’s in history from the University of Mississippi. He also holds a master’s in history from Miami University in Ohio. Cole found his passion for student affairs as a resident advisor at Ole Miss and as a graduate hall director at Miami.