Sitting down with Lori Johnson, XU's new assistant provost for student enrichment

Xavier Newswire recently had the opportunity to interview the
new Assistant Provost for Student Enrichment Lori Johnson.

• Xavier Newswire: Where did you go to college and what did you study? Lori Johnson: I earned a Bachelor of Arts with a major in social work from Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana and Master of Science Administration from the University of Notre Dame. The master's level education focused on strategy, leadership and management of notfor-profit institutions. XN: What drew you to Xavier?
• LJ: I have spent the majority of my professional life working with students in educational settings facilitating their growth and development. The role of assistant provost for student enrichment provided an opportunity to think in new ways about the role of experiential education in the formation of students. Students know that learning happens 24/7. Experiential learning challenges us to apply what we know and believe to a real life situation or problem. Xavier's long standing commitment to educating the whole person and serving others were also key factors in my decision to come here.
• XN: What are your goals for the student enrichment program?
• LJ: Student Enrichment is a new division, so we are just at the starting point in regards to defining our goals. Having acknowledged that, we know there a number of things we need to do including the facilitation of vocation exploration through service, internships, student employment and other experiences; develop students' civic and social commitments; increase student understanding of complex social problems and develop students' capacity to contribute to their communities. We will enrich lives by offering opportunities for students to develop spiritually and religiously. We are also committed to providing academic and personal support systems that help all students be successful. Finally, we will promote the internationalization of campus.
• XN: How will your office collaborate with the Center for Faith and Justice?
• LJ: The Center for Faith and Justice is a member of the Division for Student Enrichment. As such CFJ will work closely with their colleagues across the division to meet our goals. In specific, CFJ will focus on providing students with opportunities to deepen their faith life, understand and respond to social justice issues and live in a diverse world. 
• XN: What is your favorite part of your job?
• LJ: I enjoy learning and there have already been many opportunities to learn from students and colleagues at Xavier since I started on August 14. I'm interested in understanding the Xavier way and the Jesuit mission more fully and how those philosophies can inform and support the work in Student Enrichment. I also enjoy collaborating with students and giving them opportunities in which they are challenged to do more and be more than they thought they could when they arrived at college.
• XN: What is your role with/goals for the study abroad program?
• LJ: Xavier already offers a number of exciting and enriching study abroad opportunitiesto students. I hope to get a better understanding of these programs and think about how we can expand opportunities which include a multitude of experiences - service, internship, immersion or a traditional semester at an international institution, while making sure that the programs are accessible to all. We should also provide the means for students to integrate their abroad experiences into their learning when they return to Xavier.
• XN: What do you enjoy to do in your free time?
• LJ: I enjoy reading. Recently I've read a good bit of non-fiction (mostly American history) and I'm a bit of a news junkie - following current events on the web and in traditional formats. I like to travel in the United States and abroad. You might also find me watching college sports in my free time. I'm especially looking forward to cheering on the women's basketball at Xavier.