Working Group

In the summer of 2024, the President asked members of the Budget Committee to form a Working Group that could help our consultant and the Cabinet in the process of Operational Excellence.

The members of the Budget Committee volunteering on this Working Group are as follows:

Co-Chairs

Cheryl Moore-Thomas, vice president for academic affairs, provost
Sean Francis, interim vice president for finance

Project Manager

Steph Brizee, special assistant to the president

Working Group Members

Ofure Adubor, student representative
Timothy Arnold, HVAC lead, facilities
John Burger, professor, economics, Sellinger
Erin Byrne, Assistant Director Budget and Planning
Kim Derrickson, avp, academic budget, data, and governance
Kathleen Forni, professor, English, Loyola College
Deborah Melzer, vice president for student development
Eric Nichols, vice president for enrollment
Joshua Smith, professor, education, school of education

Huron Consulting Group

Jennifer Ramey, principal
Peter Hart, director
Weronika Wasilewski, manager

Charge to the Working Group

Purpose

The purpose of the Operational Excellence Working Group is to serve as an important thought-partner and advisory body to the President, the President’s Cabinet, and Huron Consulting Group as Huron conducts a comprehensive review and analysis of the University’s operations. The goal of this exercise is for Huron to produce a comprehensive report with actionable recommendations for revenue growth, expense management, process improvements, and organizational enhancement. 

Work

The work of this group will be four-fold:

1. Context: Share historical context and Loyola-specific considerations for discussion and provide key areas of opportunity.  
2. Guidance: Provide feedback and raise concerns and questions to ensure an accurate representation of Loyola.
3. Alignment: Ensure alignment of recommendations with Loyola values and the goals of Together We Rise.
4. Prioritization: Provide feedback and guidance on the prioritization of identified recommendations.

The steering committee members and charge as well as the individual work group co-chairs and members are listed below.

Operational Excellence Steering Committe

Cheryl Moore-Thomas, Co-Chair
Kristy Michel, Co-Chair
Rob Smith, 1-Technology Lead Chair
Nancy Wright, 2-Procurement Lead Chair
Stephanie Coldren, 3-Organizational Assessment Lead Chair
Kristi Yowell, 4-Compensation & Benefits Lead Chair
Frank Golom, 5-Academic Programs Lead Chair
Jill Hecklinger, 6-Endowment Policy Lead Chair
Mary Ann Scully, 7-New Revenue and Financial Aid Lead Chair Jill Snodgrass, Faculty Representative - LCAS
Ravi Srinivasan, Faculty Representative - Sellinger
Jennifer Watkinson, Faculty Representative - SOE
Steph Brizee, Program Manager Assisting Committee

Operational Excellence Steering Committee Charge

The Operational Excellence Steering Committee plays a central role in coordinating the efforts of seven distinct work groups participating in the operational excellence initiative for the 2025-2026 academic year. The outcome of this initiative is to find $20,000,000 in savings to ensure Loyola can maintain a balanced budget while investing in its strategic priorities.

The primary responsibility of the committee is to ensure consistency in the schedule, processes, and analytical rubrics utilized by each work group. By maintaining alignment, the committee fosters a unified approach to operational improvements across all groups.

The steering committee serves in the role of and has the authority to decide which recommendations submitted by the individual work groups will be sent to leadership, and when appropriate to shared governance, for potential implementation. This may involve determining that some recommendations should not move forward and for those that are moved forward including a prioritization matrix.

Committee Responsibilities

To support effective collaboration, the steering committee reviews questions and concerns submitted by work group members. The committee evaluates whether additional information or resources are necessary to facilitate the work groups’ progress, addressing any gaps that may arise during the initiative. This responsive approach enables the committee to proactively support the work groups and enhance their productivity.

A key responsibility of the steering committee is to keep the Cabinet informed about the ongoing progress of each work group. The committee is tasked with producing a comprehensive final report containing approved recommendations, which will be shared with the broader community to guide future actions.

Role as Change Agent Leadership Group

In its capacity as a change agent leadership group, the steering committee considers the potential impact of proposed changes from each work group, evaluating risks and opportunities associated with recommendations. The committee is dedicated to preparing the community for these changes, offering guidance on pacing, training, and best practices. By doing so, the committee aims to maximize support for and adoption of new policies, promoting agreement and positive engagement throughout the community.

Operational Excellence Work Groups

Each work group has a charge and has extablished plans for work over the next few months.

Work Group 1 - Technology

Rob Smith, Lead Chair & Cabinet Representative
Brendan Sweeney, Admin/Staff Co-Chair
Jon Malis, Faculty Co-Chair
John Angel, Admin & Finance/Parking & Transportation 
Thomas Breiner, Admin & Finance/Tech Services
Gina Graffious, Admin & Finance 
Kristen Kelly, Marketing & Communications 
Michael Mayforth,  Admin & Finance/Tech Services
James McCartin, Admin & Finance/Tech Services
Lauren Miller, Academic Affairs
Marcia Preston, Academic Affairs/IR
Christina Spearman, Academic Affairs/Career Center
Paul Tallon, Sellinger

Work Group 2 - Procurement, Contracts, Travel

Nancy Wright, Lead Chair
Kristen McGuire, Admin/Staff Co-Chair & Cabinet Rep
Brant Matthews, Faculty Co-Chair
Tiffany Akers, Admin & Finance/Facilitaties
Chris Archaki, Athletics 
Caitlin Browning, Academic Affairs/Career Center
Erin Byrne, Admin & Finance/Budget
Andrew Cevasco, Enrollment Management 
Jack Hobson, Academic Affairs/International Programs
Brian Mount, Admin & Finance/Facilities
Kerry Tan, Sellinger

Work Group 3 - Organizational Assessment                                         

Stephanie Coldren, Lead Chair & Cabinet Representative
Mike Mansfield, Admin/Staff Co-Chair
Ravi Srinivasan, Faculty Co-Chair
Joannna Alexander, Academic Affairs/Provost Office
Kristen Baase, Sellinger Dean Office
Jeffrey Barnett, LCAS 
Emily Calderone, Student Development
Krysten Fertonardo, LCAS Dean Office 
Alicia Greene, Admin & Finance/Payroll
Joseph Griffin, Admin & Finance/Facilities 
Gina Massella, SOE 
Alli Novak, Admin & Finance/HR

Work Group 4 - Compensation and Benefits

This work group functions independently of the Operational Excellence initiative, serving as a distinct committee within our shared governance framework. In addition to their primary responsibilities, they have been tasked with addressing specific compensation and benefits inquiries related to operational excellence.  

Kristi Yowell, Lead Chair & Cabinet Representative
Pat Cassidy, Administrator Representative
Eileen Hiebler, Administrator Representative
Sandra Dargakis, Staff Representative
Darlene Jolly, Staff Representative
Ethan Duckworth, Faculty Representative
Gloria Wren, Faculty Representative
Georgeann Burton, Ex Officio, Resource
Sean Francis, Ex Officio, Resource
Maurisha Hooper, Ex Officio, Resource

Work Group 5 - Academic Programs

Frank Golom, Lead Chair & Cabinet Representative
Afra Hersi, Admin/Staff Co-Chair
Jill Snodgrass, Faculty Co-Chair
JP Krahel, Sellinger
John Michel, Sellinger
Bobby Waldrup, Sellinger 
David Marcovitz, SOE
Joe Stewart-Sicking, SOE 
Jennifer Wakinson, SOE
Marianna Carlucci, LCAS
Sharon O'Neill, LCAS
Donna Pitts, LCAS
Dan Schlapbach, LCAS
Yu Stearns, LCAS

Work Group 6 - Endowment Policy 

Jill Hecklinger, Lead Chair 
Steph Brizee, Admin/Staff Co-Chair & Cabinet Representative
Martha Taylor, Faculty Co-Chair
John Burger, LCAS
Steven Chapman, Budget & Planning
Deanna Cyran, Enrollment Management/Financial Aid
Carrie Horowitz Lang, SOE
Laura McCormick, Mission and Identity
Peggy O'Neil, LCAS
Ian Webster, Advancement
William Wneck, Athletics
Amy Wolfson, LCAS

Work Group 7 - New Revenue and Financial Aid

Mary Ann Scully, Lead Chair & Cabinet Representative
Jennifer Louden, Admin/Staff Co-Chair
Mike Tangrea, Faculty Co-Chair
John Burger, Sellinger
Michael Castenada, Student Development
Denna Cyran, Enrollment Management/Financial Aid
Anthony Giacometti, Advancement
Ashly Fishell-Shaffer, Admin & Finance/Events Services
Jessica Hoover, ASPIRE (SOE)
Elliot King, LCAS
Marcia Preston, Academic Affairs, IR
Andrew Ross, LCAS
Qi Shi, SOE