(New Orleans)— Loyola President Fr. Kevin Wm. Wildes, S.J., Ph.D., announces the appointment of Marcia Lou Petty, Ph.D., as vice president for student affairs and associate provost.

In making the announcement, Wildes said “I am excited about the energy, knowledge, and experience Dr. Petty brings to Loyola. She will be an important asset to Loyola as we move forward, and I am confident she will help improve the quality of life and learning for our students.”

With over 20 years of professional experience in student development in higher education and almost 20 years of teaching experience in universities, accompanied by numerous publications, presentations, and honors and special merits, Petty brings unique insight and enthusiasm to Loyola. She most recently served for seven years as vice president and dean of student life and co-curricular education and assistant professor in counseling and education at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York.

“I am honored to be joining Loyola University New Orleans, an academically rigorous institution rich with tradition and deep spiritual roots and committed to the development of the whole person. I am delighted to be joining Fr. Wildes' team and looking forward to being a member of Academic Affairs,” said Petty about her appointment.

Petty will be responsible for providing vision, leadership, and management oversight for all student affairs programs, services, and activities. In support of the Jesuit educational mission of the university, she will also be responsible for promoting service, social justice, the development of the whole person, and the liberal education of Loyola students.

Preceding her position at St. Lawrence University, Petty was the University of North Carolina at Greensboro Upsilon Nu Chi Distinguished Scholar Postdoctoral Fellow for two years. She served for six years as dean for student development at Mississippi University for Women. At the University of North Carolina at Asheville, Petty was the director of student development for four years and assistant to the vice chancellor for student affairs for one year. Petty began her career in 1980 serving for two years as the director of student activities and organizations at the Florida Institute of Technology.

Petty earned her bachelor of science degree in criminology, master of science degree in student personnel administration, and doctor of philosophy in higher education administration from Florida State University.

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