.jpg "Dean Jim Parenti at commencement")
One Year In
SCPS Dean Reflects on Bringing Transformative Opportunities to Adult Learners
Parenti’s New Programs and Partnerships Advance Reach and Stature of Top-Ranked Loyola School
Jim Parenti, EdD, has a commute that many Chicagoans would envy–a two-mile walk down Michigan Avenue to the historic Lewis Towers of Loyola University Chicago. It’s a daily journey that gives him the chance to revel in Chicago’s culture, history, and beauty, and he enjoys every minute of it.
But what makes the walk truly special, according to Parenti, is where it brings him–to his relatively new role as dean of Loyola’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS). Since beginning this “dream job” just over a year ago, he has been working tirelessly to develop and implement programs and partnerships designed to further the school’s academic excellence and bring even more transformative opportunities to adult learners.
Parenti says he values the opportunity to lead SCPS because it enables him to serve non-traditional students, many of whom are juggling multiple responsibilities and have overcome challenges to achieve their dream of obtaining a college education. “I am drawn to these students who are often underserved in higher education but among the hardest-working, most-motivated people,” Parenti says. “They balance family, work, and school, spending long evenings and weekends on their studies.”
“I am drawn to these students who are often underserved in higher education but among the hardest-working, most-motivated people." Jim Parenti, SCPS Dean
SCPS students range from single moms to veterans to people working to change careers, increase earning potential, or finish a degree they started years ago. The school empowers them to discover new possibilities, gain skills and knowledge, and improve their own situations and the world around them. It does this through rigorous undergraduate, graduate, certificate, and custom programs that are offered online or in hybrid formats.
Parenti says his goal is to ensure SCPS upholds the Jesuit tradition of addressing students’ individual needs and meeting them where they are. This means providing flexible, accessible, affordable options. “Life happens. Regardless of when or why they’re coming here, we’re ready to help them accomplish their goals,” he says.
Parenti’s academic and public service background has equipped him to lead the prestigious school, which has programs ranked number one in Chicago and among the top 10 nationally by U.S. News & World Report. He came to Loyola from Georgetown University, where he was Senior Advisor to the President and held several other leadership positions. He also worked at Columbia University and held senior roles in federal and state government, including Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar’s administration.
Parenti joined Loyola in November 2024 and has had a productive first year, working to advance the reach and stature of SCPS with initiatives that include:
- Focusing on skills that are essential in today’s evolving workplaces: Timely courses such as AI literacy and AI ethics will soon be available, and more are under consideration.
- Expanding educational opportunities for faculty and staff: Parenti is making professional symposiums and conferences more accessible, so educators can update knowledge and refresh skills to improve teaching and research.
- Strengthening collaborations with other schools: A new online program will enable SCPS students to complete Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing prerequisites. The program provides an affordable option for students who want to pursue nursing but don’t have the health prerequisites. Parenti says SCPS is pursuing additional opportunities to develop content and curriculum in partnership with other schools, including the School of Education and Quinlan School of Business.
- Launching Learning with Purpose: This speaker series brings timely, engaging conversations and education to the Loyola community and the public. Speakers include SCPS faculty and distinguished guests who apply expertise and personal insight as they explore urgent issues, such as the future of the Catholic Church and cybersecurity in the age of AI.
- Developing first-of-its-kind study abroad program tailored for SCPS: Starting this summer, students can take an online course, Human Values in Literature, then travel to Italy for a 10-day immersive experience at Loyola’s renowned Rome Center. Parenti says the program could be expanded to include Spain, the United Kingdom, and Asia. “With globalization, many people end up working around the world. So it’s important for non-traditional students to be able to study abroad and extend learning beyond the classroom – just like other students,” he says.
- Spreading awareness of opportunities within SCPS: Popular degrees like Paralegal Studies and Information Technology have contributed to SCPS revenue growth of 27% in 12 months. Parenti wants to expand that, by increasing outreach and engagement in the community. “Effective marketing grows online programs like ours, so we’re working to build those resources.”
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In the coming year, Parenti will explore additional initiatives that support students’ academic, professional, and personal growth. This includes engaging with the local business community, “to ensure we’re meeting the right needs at the right time,” he says.
“People are living longer and retiring later, so the skills that are required to be successful are constantly changing. This points to the need for schools like ours, and to the idea that we should all think of ourselves as lifelong learners.”
"People are living longer and retiring later, so the skills that are required to be successful are constantly changing. This points to the need for schools like ours, and to the idea that we should all think of ourselves as lifelong learners." Jim Parenti, SCPS Dean
SCPS students range from single moms to veterans to people working to change careers, increase earning potential, or finish a degree they started years ago. The school empowers them to discover new possibilities, gain skills and knowledge, and improve their own situations and the world around them. It does this through rigorous undergraduate, graduate, certificate, and custom programs that are offered online or in hybrid formats.
Parenti says his goal is to ensure SCPS upholds the Jesuit tradition of addressing students’ individual needs and meeting them where they are. This means providing flexible, accessible, affordable options. “Life happens. Regardless of when or why they’re coming here, we’re ready to help them accomplish their goals,” he says.
Parenti’s academic and public service background has equipped him to lead the prestigious school, which has programs ranked number one in Chicago and among the top 10 nationally by U.S. News & World Report. He came to Loyola from Georgetown University, where he was Senior Advisor to the President and held several other leadership positions. He also worked at Columbia University and held senior roles in federal and state government, including Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar’s administration.
Parenti joined Loyola in November 2024 and has had a productive first year, working to advance the reach and stature of SCPS with initiatives that include:
- Focusing on skills that are essential in today’s evolving workplaces: Timely courses such as AI literacy and AI ethics will soon be available, and more are under consideration.
- Expanding educational opportunities for faculty and staff: Parenti is making professional symposiums and conferences more accessible, so educators can update knowledge and refresh skills to improve teaching and research.
- Strengthening collaborations with other schools: A new online program will enable SCPS students to complete Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing prerequisites. The program provides an affordable option for students who want to pursue nursing but don’t have the health prerequisites. Parenti says SCPS is pursuing additional opportunities to develop content and curriculum in partnership with other schools, including the School of Education and Quinlan School of Business.
- Launching Learning with Purpose: This speaker series brings timely, engaging conversations and education to the Loyola community and the public. Speakers include SCPS faculty and distinguished guests who apply expertise and personal insight as they explore urgent issues, such as the future of the Catholic Church and cybersecurity in the age of AI.
- Developing first-of-its-kind study abroad program tailored for SCPS: Starting this summer, students can take an online course, Human Values in Literature, then travel to Italy for a 10-day immersive experience at Loyola’s renowned Rome Center. Parenti says the program could be expanded to include Spain, the United Kingdom, and Asia. “With globalization, many people end up working around the world. So it’s important for non-traditional students to be able to study abroad and extend learning beyond the classroom – just like other students,” he says.
- Spreading awareness of opportunities within SCPS: Popular degrees like Paralegal Studies and Information Technology have contributed to SCPS revenue growth of 27% in 12 months. Parenti wants to expand that, by increasing outreach and engagement in the community. “Effective marketing grows online programs like ours, so we’re working to build those resources.”
In the coming year, Parenti will explore additional initiatives that support students’ academic, professional, and personal growth. This includes engaging with the local business community, “to ensure we’re meeting the right needs at the right time,” he says.
“People are living longer and retiring later, so the skills that are required to be successful are constantly changing. This points to the need for schools like ours, and to the idea that we should all think of ourselves as lifelong learners.”