STUDENT AFFAIRS | The letter below was sent to the Student Affairs Division on Wednesday, April 3:
Dear Colleagues,
Jeanne Ortiz, our dean of students and vice president for student affairs, has decided to retire this summer. She is a treasured colleague and has been a terrific dean, so I know her presence will be missed by colleagues throughout the university community. Jeanne has set a high standard as a campus leader, as she infuses her commitment to inclusivity and her passion for cura personalis in every interaction with students, faculty, and staff. She is the consummate student development professional and many of us have learned by Jeanne’s example and approach.
Jeanne joined LMU in August 2014 after nearly 10 years as vice president and dean of students at Whittier College. She undertook a comprehensive portfolio of student affairs management responsibilities, and from her first day here, has been personally and professionally invested in our mission and our students. She has participated in our Alternative Break and Ignacio Companion trip, knowing first-hand how we actuate our values. She has co-chaired our Persistence and Graduation Committee, seeking solutions and pathways for student retention and success.
Jeanne embodies her concern for our students in the various programs she led or initiated. For example, she served as the first chair for the Undocumented Students Advisory Committee, advocating for the most vulnerable in our community. Jeanne also revamped our Community of Care program, which is critical at supporting student persistence through the most challenging circumstances.
While these highlights only scratch the surface of Jeanne’s contributions, I look forward to honoring and celebrating her impact on our community in greater detail later this summer. Please join me in wishing her well in retirement and in thanking her for being an inspiration, a force of positive change, and an integral campus collaborator and leader.
Please look for an invitation announcing a formal opportunity to say goodbye to Jeanne in the months ahead.
Sincerely,
Lane Bove, Ed.D.
Senior Vice President for Student Affairs
