Impact and Assessment
The Loyola Institute for the Study of Catholic Culture and Tradition envisions its support for faculty, staff, and student initiatives as a positive contribution to Loyola’s fundamental commitment to educate youth in the Jesuit and Catholic tradition. New research, study, and discussion by faculty, staff, and students will bring into focus the values and witness of faith that have defined Catholic culture and tradition. The Catholic character of the university will be strengthened and a clear and articulate voice for Catholic values within the university community will more readily participate in dialogue with different traditions and view points.
By sponsoring new courses and initiatives, the institute seeks to have a multifaceted and profound impact upon the university community. On a general level, new courses funded by the institute will expand Loyola’s academic offerings, which brings the potential for attracting new students and new faculty. On the intellectual level, a broader examination of the Catholic intellectual tradition will enrich the religious learning environment for both Loyola students and faculty.
Students will have recourse to a more comprehensive and inclusive curriculum, reflective of the Catholic principles and ideals that inspired the foundation of Loyola University New Orleans by the Society of Jesus. Faculty will find new opportunities to relate their particular areas of expertise to the Catholic tradition, and thus enrich their understanding of Catholicism’s unique contributions to the intellectual life. Staff, students, and faculty will find the financial support that will allow them to investigate their interest in Catholicism and to share that interest with a wider audience. In this way, a broader and more elevated level of discussion of Catholicism and its role in contemporary life will be assured.
With its particular emphasis on curriculum, the programs of the institute will complement those sponsored by other organizations on campus, such as the Jesuit Center and University Ministry. Thus, the work of the institute will enhance the effort of other groups and of Loyola’s faculty to further advance the university’s position as a center for Catholic intellectualism and spirituality.
In terms of accessing impact, the success of student-related programs will be gauged and assessed in several ways. Positive student and faculty evaluations, increasing enrollment in Catholic-oriented courses, and growing numbers of Catholic studies minors will be obvious measures. It is expected that the number and variety of courses applicable to the minor will be continually growing. Greater success by Catholic studies alumni in gaining admittance to highly competitive graduate schools for theological or related courses of study will also indicate effectiveness.
Impact on related faculty scholarship and research will be assessed through numbers of papers presented and published on topics related to Catholic studies and research grants awarded. Impact on the New Orleans Catholic community and theological scholars will be seen in attendance at public lectures and seminars and in the number of theological experts attracted to campus to participate in events.
All of these effects will be documented via established university self-study procedures, carried out by the Loyola Institute for the Study of Catholic Culture and Tradition and participating departments. Measurement tools will include surveys of students, alumni, faculty, and other participants, and statistical studies of some aspects of the institute’s programs.