Loyola University New Orleans President Xavier Cole Reflects on Faith, Leadership and a University on the Rise in NOLA.com Feature

In a wide-ranging interview with The Times-Picayune, President Cole discusses meeting Pope Leo XIV and Pope Francis, Loyola's strong enrollment, the move to NCAA Division II and the Jesuit values guiding his leadership.

Loyola University New Orleans President Xavier A. Cole, Ed.D., is reflecting on the experiences, values and institutional progress shaping his presidency in a recent feature published by The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com.

In the article, titled "'Clear about our mission': Loyola's Xavier Cole on faith, education and meeting Pope Leo," reporter Bob Warren offers readers a personal look at the university's 18th president, from his extraordinary encounters with two popes to the deep sense of responsibility he feels for Loyola's students, faculty, staff and alumni.

The interview also highlights encouraging news for the university, including a second consecutive year of strong first-year enrollment, growing selectivity in Loyola's College of Law and the university's anticipated transition to NCAA Division II athletics.

A Historic Encounter with Pope Leo XIV

President Cole and his wife, historian Dr. Susanne DeBerry Cole, recently traveled to Rome with fellow leaders from the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, where they met Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope.

During the meeting, Cole personally invited the pontiff to visit Loyola University New Orleans, noting the pope's family ties to the city.

Cole described the experience as an unexpected blessing and spoke about the significance of Pope Leo's understanding of Jesuit higher education, particularly its commitment to guiding young people toward a hope-filled future.

The interview also revisits Cole's earlier meeting with Pope Francis, during which the two discussed the role of Catholic leaders in responding to international conflict. Cole recalled the profound spiritual impact of praying alongside Pope Francis.

Together, the encounters reinforced the importance of faith, service and moral leadership in Catholic higher education.

A Jesuit Mission That Provides Clarity and Purpose

Throughout the interview, Cole emphasizes the enduring relevance of Loyola's Jesuit, Catholic identity.

At a time when colleges and universities face complex challenges, Cole describes Loyola's mission as a source of clarity, providing a framework for institutional decisions and a foundation for students as they develop their own values and sense of purpose.

He also reflects on the personal responsibility of leading the university and the relationships that make Loyola such a meaningful part of his life.

His comments offer a portrait of a president whose leadership is grounded not only in institutional priorities, but also in a profound commitment to the people who make up the Loyola community.

Strong Enrollment and Momentum for the Wolf Pack

The interview also provides an encouraging assessment of Loyola's institutional health.

Cole reports that the university is experiencing its second consecutive year of strong first-year enrollment, while Loyola's College of Law continues to attract strong classes and has become increasingly selective.

These developments reflect continued progress in strengthening the university's academic community and its long-term future.

Cole also discusses Loyola's planned transition to NCAA Division II athletics, describing the decision as the result of two years of thoughtful consideration centered on the university's mission and the student experience.

The move, which includes joining the Gulf South Conference in fall 2027, represents an important new chapter for Wolf Pack Athletics.

The Musician Behind the President

Beyond his responsibilities as president, the interview offers a glimpse into Cole's lifelong love of music.

A native of Biloxi, Mississippi, Cole is an accomplished musician and avid collector of musical instruments and recordings. His campus office reflects that passion, with trombones, a euphonium and a collection of albums spanning jazz and popular music.

Cole discusses his love of big band jazz, his experience performing classical and ensemble music, and the importance of making time for the interests that bring balance and joy to life.

It is a personal dimension that resonates particularly strongly at Loyola, where music, creativity and the arts are integral to the university's identity.

Looking Ahead with Confidence and Purpose

From conversations at the Vatican to the everyday work of supporting students and strengthening the university, Cole's interview reflects a consistent commitment to Loyola's people and its mission.

The feature offers an opportunity for the broader New Orleans community to learn more about the president guiding Loyola through a period of meaningful progress and to celebrate the values that have distinguished the university for more than a century.

As Loyola continues to build on its academic strengths, welcome new generations of students and prepare for its next chapter in athletics, the university remains firmly rooted in the Jesuit tradition of educating the whole person and preparing graduates to lead lives of purpose.

The original interview, "'Clear about our mission': Loyola's Xavier Cole on faith, education and meeting Pope Leo," was reported by Bob Warren for The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com