Lauren Serra Henderson (BA ’13) and the Serra Foundation establish scholarships at Loyola University Chicago to address arts teacher shortage in Chicago

In response to a critical shortage of arts educators in Chicago Public Schools, Trustee Lauren Serra Henderson (BA ’13), and the Serra Foundation, have made a major gift to create the Serra Foundation Scholarship and the Serra Foundation Endowed Scholarship at Loyola University Chicago.

Henderson’s generous pledge will support graduate students pursuing a master’s degree in education focusing on dance and theatre. It will fund scholarships for up to 50 students over the next five years, as well as a $1.25 million endowment to provide sustained support. The endowment will enable in perpetuity up to three students per year to pursue their academic and professional goals.

Henderson’s commitment to arts education stems from her own experiences and the positive impact of arts programs on mental health and development. She credits the Department of Fine and Performing Arts’ theatre and dance programs for formative and enriching experiences during her undergraduate studies at Loyola. Henderson is also inspired by her mother, Julie, who taught kindergarten for nearly 30 years and instilled a family passion for education.

“I have been following Loyola’s developing partnership with Chicago Public Schools for the past few years, and I find it to be a remarkably creative solution to the teacher shortage affecting CPS, and specifically arts programming,” says Henderson.

Since 2021 Loyola has partnered with Chicago Public Schools to place current master’s degree students in local schools for teaching practicums, through the CPS Teacher Residency Program, addressing the severe shortage of arts teachers. With only one arts teacher for every 750 students, CPS is 215 percent below the number of teachers it needs. “The CPS Teacher Residency Program is a key initiative to increase the number of teachers in high-needs subject areas and to ensure that our teaching workforce is reflective of the student population,” says CPS Director of Teacher Pathways Alex Rosen. “Within that, our arts residency partnership with Loyola has been a critical piece in ensuring we are recruiting, training, and retaining dance and theatre teachers in CPS at a time where there is a shortage of teachers in the arts disciplines.”

“Our hope with this gift is to help amplify and grow this great program,” says Henderson. “This is an amazing opportunity for Loyola students to meaningfully pursue their interest in an arts-focused career while bridging the gap in arts education in Chicago’s public schools.”

“Lauren is an exceptional alumna and trustee, and we thank her for this gift," says Mark C. Reed, president of Loyola University Chicago. “Through her engagement with the University, she learned about an innovative initiative our faculty have developed to address this shortage in arts education and she committed to amplifying and expanding its impact through her generosity. These Serra Foundation Scholarships will play a pivotal role in easing financial barriers and empowering Loyola students to pursue their passion for the arts and share it with Chicago’s youth.”

Amy Michelle Wilkinson, senior lecturer in dance at Loyola, expressed gratitude for the family’s contribution, highlighting its alignment with Loyola’s mission. "We are so appreciative of the Serra family for gifting Loyola this incredible scholarship fund. Lauren has been a huge supporter of dance and theatre since she was an undergraduate student in our programs. To give back in this way is a true fulfillment of our institutional mission and its emphasis on being a person for others."

“The Serra Foundation’s generous gift will ensure generations of students in Chicago Public Schools have access to the transformative power of the arts,” says David E. McIntosh, Dean of the School of Education. “This endowment will help us prepare and attract passionate educators, bridging the gap in arts education and sustaining the enriching impact of the arts in our community for years to come.”

Alex Rosen, Director of Teacher Pathways at Chicago Public Schools outlined the importance of this gift, “The CPS Teacher Residency Program is a key pathway initiative to increase the number of teachers in high-needs subject areas and to ensure that our teaching workforce is reflective of the student population. Within that, our arts residency partnership with Loyola has been a critical piece in ensuring we are recruiting, training, and retaining dance and theatre teachers in CPS at a time where there is a shortage of teachers in the arts disciplines.”