AWARDS
Outstanding Feminist Staff Member
Dr. Diana ward Chief Student Conduct Officer and Title IX Coordinator
T
he Women’s Resource Center chose Dr. Diana Ward as the recipient of the Outstanding Feminist Staff Member award. Dr. Ward has worked closely with the WRC by providing training to the center’s Title IX advocates and LGBTQ advocates. In addition, she always makes herself available to explain the legal points on Title IX issues, to share a variety of resources for students involved in Title IX cases, and to help LGBTQ students and LGBTQ advocates access various resources. The WRC’s Associate Director of Special Projects Delaney Harper, who has worked closely with Dr. Ward on Title IX training for the WRC, said of Dr. Ward: “she serves as a beacon of security, comfort, and inspiration. I know I am not alone in saying that Dr. Ward is an indispensable member of the Loyola and New Orleans community and an incredible person who embodies the Loyola mission. Her kindness and determination are surely worthy of recognition and admiration.” Dr. Patricia Boyett contends that Dr. Ward “epitomizes intersectional feminist values by ensuring that all persons, regardless of their gender identity, orientation, race,
ethnicity, religion, nationality, or class, are treated equally. She is a tireless advocate for educating the Loyola and larger New Orleans community about Title IX and about gender identity. In addition, her knowledge of the law and her devotion to justice makes her a fair and just arbiter.” Dr. Ward is greatly admired and has won this award twice. We welcome you to learn a little more about Dr. Ward. Dr. Diana Ward serves as the Chief Student Conduct Officer and Title IX Coordinator. In her role, Dr. Ward oversees and manages Title IX investigations and conduct procedures of alleged infractions; she manages, updates, and educates others on the Student Code of Conduct and develops and facilitates trainings related to student conduct, student rights and responsibilities, and Title IX; she advises the Student Justice Board; additionally, she assesses student trends within the University conduct process. Dr. Ward is originally from a small town in Illinois. She attended Tulane University, earning her B.A. in Anthropology. Dr. Ward then earned her
M.Ed in Educational Administration and Leadership Development from Arizona State University. She earned her PhD in Educational Leadership from the University of New Orleans. She has done extensive research on matters relating to Education Law. She began her career as a middle school teacher before moving into student conduct. She trained teachers, principals, and district leaders in restorative justice processes. Later, Dr. Ward investigated employee conduct issues. In 2015, she began teaching in the College of Liberal Arts, Education, and Human Development at the University of New Orleans. Now working within higher education in student conduct, Dr. Ward is excited to partner with students to grow their moral and ethical decision-making skills, as well as to expand their knowledge around their rights and responsibilities as Loyola students. Integrity is something Dr. Ward believes in strongly, and she strives to inject it into all parts of her life and work. She is eager to work with students to improve their Loyola experience and their world.
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