Abridged Day in the Life…

Department information

The College of Arts and Sciences Dean's Office houses a staff of 20+ administrative and faculty deans, academic advisors, and administrative support staff who orchestrate undergraduate student and faculty administration and services for the largest academic division within the University. The College is home to 18 academic departments and 19 interdisciplinary programs. The College is part of the Division of Academic Affairs which oversees the 11 schools that comprise the University: Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Communication, Continuing and Professional Studies, Education, the Graduate School, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pastoral Studies, and Social Work.

About Loyola

With over 15,000 students (undergraduate, graduate, and professional students), Loyola University Chicago is the largest of the 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States. Loyola is composed of two campuses in Chicago (the largely residential Lake Shore Campus in the Rogers Park neighborhood and the Water Tower Campus on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile), the Medical Center campus, and the John Felice Rome Center in Italy.

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• Lester Manzano

Originally from Southern California, Lester ventured to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to study architecture at Carnegie Mellon University. He found his calling in student affairs when he was an undergraduate student leader and realized the impact of student affairs on the development of students. He switched his major to psychology while at the same time became involved in co-curricular activities within residence life, student activities and orientation, Greek life, and undergraduate admission. He earned his master of education (M.Ed.) degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) at the University of Vermont (UVM) where he held an assistantship in residence life administration and completed practicum internships in judicial affairs (UVM), student activities (St. Michael's College), and academic advising (Champlain College). During the summer between his two years of graduate school, he served as an ACUHO-I intern at the Catholic University of America. Immediately after graduate school, he served as Assistant Director of Residential Life at Colgate University (Hamilton, NY), then later as Director of Residence Life at Lake Forest College (IL). Lester transitioned from working in student affairs divisions to working in academic student services as an academic advisor at Loyola University Chicago. Currently, he is assistant dean in the College of Arts and Sciences where he coordinates various academic services, collaborates with academic department faculty chairs and directors on advising issues, oversees the academic portion of transfer-student orientations, works closely with the College's academic advisors, and advises undergraduate students on academic concerns. He also oversees a satellite dean's office at Loyola's Water Tower Campus.

A Day in the Life…

8:00 a.m.	It's Monday, and I'm excited about a start to a new week. I have the luxury of living in Rogers Park, one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Chicago and home to Loyola's Lake Shore Campus. Living a few blocks from campus has its benefits, including a short walk to work. (back to schedule)
8:30 a.m.	I arrive at the office, say hello to colleagues, and make my way to my office where I start the day by checking voicemail messages and scanning my e-mail inbox for any issues that are urgent. I'll also review my appointment schedule for the week ahead before gathering materials for a 9:00 a.m. meeting. (back to schedule)
9:00 a.m.	I head to an orientation steering committee meeting composed of representatives from Academic Advising, the First-Year Experience Office, the Division of Student Development, and a few academic dean's offices. Orientation is multi-faceted and our committee is charged with orchestrating the various units and programs within the university that have a role in welcoming and orientating incoming students at 13 orientation sessions held throughout the summer. (back to schedule)
11:00 a.m.	I return to the office for a meeting with the Associate Director of Undergraduate Admission who coordinates transfer-student admission. She's our liaison with Chicago-area community colleges, and, at this meeting, we review admission information regarding academic requirements and the university's Core curriculum. We consult often—I maintain information on our College's academic requirements, and she produces admission materials for prospective transfer students—and our working relationship is a great one. She mentions that she has announced her retirement. I am both excited about her new chapter in her life, but sad that she will be leaving. It is bittersweet, and I am reminded that we are in positions where we must often build new relationships as personnel changes across a university. (back to schedule)
11:45 a.m.	Next up: an academic advising appointment. Although much of my responsibilities are administrative in nature, I do carry a small academic advising caseload of undergraduate students. Maintaining this type of student contact helps me keep a pulse on student academic issues. At this meeting, the student asks about policies on taking courses at another university and requests to reviewing remaining requirements for her degree. I commend her for being prepared for her appointment and asking questions. There is no hand-holding here; we encourage students to be self-directed and responsible for their own education. (back to schedule)
1:00 pa.m.	After a quick lunch off campus, I join the other assistant and associate deans of the College for our monthly Dean's Cabinet meeting. The dean provides updates from the Provost's Office, and the associate and assistant deans provide area reports: budget and finance, faculty affairs, academic affairs, student academic services, and advising. I love these meetings. We've developed a collegiality that allows us to use each other as sounding boards and idea generators. (back to schedule)
2:30 p.m.	Our office's weekly advising staff meeting takes place. The two other assistant deans (advising and academic affairs) and I meet with our College Advisors to discuss any updates and issues in student advising. We'll often review academic policies related to the time of the year (registration, summer school, withdrawal from courses, etc.), or we'll invite a faculty chairperson or program director from one of the academic departments to provide updates on majors, minors, and special academic programs for students. Things are always evolving in academia, so the College Advisors find these informational meetings helpful in keeping abreast of changes occurring within our academic departments. (back to schedule)
4:00 p.m.	Another meeting with a student. This time, the student inquires about his options regarding an issue he has for a grade he received in one of his classes. I advise him on the academic grievance process and walk him through his next steps, bringing the concern to the faculty member and/or the academic department. (back to schedule)
6:30 p.m.	In addition to my official role at Loyola, I also volunteer my time and serve as the staff advisor to Loyola's Council of Pan-Asian Americans (COPAA). I absolutely enjoy meeting with student leaders in this capacity; it keeps me connected with students on the co-curricular side of things. At tonight's executive board meeting, the students are discussing plans for possibly meeting up this summer and creating plans for the next academic year's events and programs. One student asks if I'll be around this summer for advising and meeting with the e-board, and I explain that I work year round. I would not have it any other way! (back to schedule)