2022 Distinguished Alumni
2022 Distinguished Alumni
On Thursday, October 20th, Loyola School of Education held the annual Distinguished Alumni Awards. It was an evening of celebration as we recognize the contributions and success of our distinguished and dedicated alumni. The School of Education has a long tradition of honoring our graduates who are achieving remarkable success in addressing social inequalities in both their local and global communities.
We are excited to announce the 2022 School of Education Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients. Please join us in congratulating these recipients for their many achievements and contributions to our community and beyond.
The Dean's Distinguished Alumni Award
Michael Hines, PhD
Michael Hines, PhD '17 & MA '13, a graduate of the Cultural and Educational Policy Studies program, is a historian of education dedicated to addressing systemic inequalities. His research explores how education has been shaped, challenged, and changed throughout U.S. history. Dr. Hines' work has been featured in outlets such as TIME and the Washington Post, as well as leading academic journals. His first book, A Worthy Piece of Work, was released earlier this year. Now an assistant professor at Stanford, Dr. Hines focuses on how early 20th-century African Americans shaped curricular discourses on race and history to advance social justice.
Teaching and Learning Distinguished Alumni Award
Lorenzo Rubio
Lorenzo Rubio, ESL Endorsement ’13, a graduate of the Teaching and Learning program, is a passionate advocate for multilingual learners. As Director of Multilingual Learners at Fenton School District, he draws on his bilingual and bicultural identity to connect with students and teachers, ensuring culturally and linguistically inclusive practices. Previously, as ESL/Bilingual Education Department Chair, he led efforts to welcome and support newcomers and refugees. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he successfully lobbied for technology resources to support multilingual students. Lorenzo’s commitment to justice and service exemplifies the Jesuit ideal of being a person for others.
School Psychology Distinguished Alumni Award
Michael Boyle, PhD, MEd
Michael Boyle, PhD ’92 & MEd ‘86, a graduate of the School Psychology program, is a leader in education, known for his work in Catholic education, equity, and system change. As superintendent of the Joliet Archdiocese, Dr. Boyle has implemented innovative practices like Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and Trauma-Informed Practices to create equitable and transformative educational experiences for all students. His commitment to justice and empathy drives his work, challenging students to excel and ensuring all voices are heard. Dr. Boyle embodies Jesuit values, preparing schools to handle challenges with care and resilience.
Administration and Supervision Distinguished Alumni Award
Erika Mickelburgh, EdD
Erika Mickelburgh, EdD ‘16, a graduate of the Administration and Supervision program, is committed to fostering equity and social justice in education. As Principal of St. Paul of the Cross School in Park Ridge, she leads collaborative efforts to implement a rigorous, inclusive curriculum and promotes interdisciplinary learning in subjects like Spanish, STEM, and the arts. Under her leadership, the school earned the 2020 National Blue Ribbon of Excellence Award. Dr. Mickelburgh embodies cura personalis by advancing students' social, emotional, physical, and spiritual growth. As a new adjunct faculty member at Loyola, she will guide future school leaders in the Mission Driven Leadership for Principals program.
Higher Education Distinguished Alumni Award
Dian Squire, PhD
Dian Squire, PhD ’15, a graduate of the Higher Education program, is a scholar-practitioner dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education. With over 28 peer-reviewed publications and 50+ DEI-focused curricula, Dr. Squire has led efforts to dismantle barriers in education and health. At the University of Maryland, he helped increase structural diversity from 14% to 57% in two years. Now, as an Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence at Loyola's Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, he pursues anti-oppressive scholarship to foster inclusive, socially just institutional transformation and support democratic education and social change.
Counseling Psychology Distinguished Alumni Award
Samantha Nieto, MEd
Samantha Nieto, MEd '18, a graduate of Loyola's Counseling Psychology program, is dedicated to advancing equity in education and mental health. Through her work with Chicago Public Schools, she leads school reform projects that address students' mental health needs, particularly mentoring students of color by organizing career days with professionals of color. As an instructor at Loyola, she trains future school counselors, bringing real-world expertise to the classroom. Committed to professional excellence, she earned a Certificate in School Discipline Reform and was featured on PBS NewsHour for her expertise in trauma-informed counseling. Samantha uses her work to promote social justice and equity.