Demetri (he/him/his) is an Associate Professor in the Higher Education Program at Loyola University Chicago.  The Diverse Democracy and Higher Education Project is the outgrowth of Demetri's deep belief in the necessity of cultivating quality and equitable educational experiences for all students in postsecondary education spaces. Equitable and quality educational experiences are some of the only ways to encourage social responsibility and democratic engagement that can transform political and social norms into their full potential of liberation and justice. Yet, equitable and quality experiences oriented towards democratic engagement don't just happen. This reality must be dreamed of, cultivated, nurtured, and institutionalized with thoughtful policies and defended with sound educational practices.

To this end, Demetri collaboratively leads a number of studies in support of realizing this vision including: a series of studies on student political engagement and activism, serving as Co-Principal Investigator on the ILSPRA project, and a founding member of the Critical Higher Education Governance Collaborative (CHEGC).

​

Demetri enjoys living in Chicago with his wife and daughter. He is an avid fan of the Florida Gators and Miami Heat, a brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and an active member at NewStory Church Chicago. Demetri earned his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. He has an M.S. Ed. in higher education and student affairs from Indiana University, and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Florida. In 2019 Demetri was selected as a Next Generation Fellow of the Place-Based Justice Network and in 2021, Demetri was recognized by ACPA College Student Educators International as an Emerging Scholar.

Norma López (she/her/ella) is an Assistant Professor of Higher Education at Loyola University Chicago. She was previously a postdoctoral scholar at the Institute for Democracy and Higher Education (IDHE) at Tufts University, as well as a full-time instructor in the higher education administration program at Northern Illinois University for a year and a half. Prior to entering the doctoral program, Norma worked for over 20 years in higher education, ranging from admissions and orientation at Williams College to residential life and academic advising at the University of Chicago. She received a B.A. in history from Williams College, an Ed.M. from Harvard University, and a Ph.D. from Loyola University Chicago. While in college, she studied abroad in Guadalajara, Jalisco, and during her time at Loyola, attended the Rome program.

​

Norma’s research agenda is focused on how power manifests in higher education and how the development of a critical consciousness can advance equity and inclusion while navigating and dismantling that power. She serves as a Bottom Line Chicago board member and hopes to continue to have an impact on the college trajectories of Chicago students through this work.   

​

Norma grew up in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago and enjoys living near her extended family with her husband, two teenage kids, their dog, and cat. She loves to cook and run, usually on temperate fall days but will also run through Chicago’s humid summers and frigid winters.

Jon (he/him/his) is a doctoral candidate in the Higher Education PhD Program at Loyola University Chicago and works as a research associate and project co-lead on the ILSPRA project. Jon is also a Research Associate at The University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice. 

​

Prior to enrolling at Loyola and relocating to Chicago, he served in various higher education roles within academic affairs, advancement, alumni relations, and student activities, most recently as Director of Sponsored Programs Administration at St. Catherine University. Previously, he served as Director of Benefactor Services of an NGO in the United States and Central America with a mission to support children and families with housing, education, and medical assistance.

​

Jon's research interests center around equitable and inclusive learning environments, university finance and governance, organizational theory, and underrepresented populations and communities in higher education.

Jon received his baccalaureate degree from North Dakota State University in sociology, minoring in women & gender studies. He holds a master's degree in youth development leadership from the University of Minnesota and a master's of business administration degree from St. Catherine University. He is a certified professional project manager (CPPM) from the University of St. Thomas.

Tori Callais (She/Her/Hers) is a third-year doctoral student in the Higher Education program at Loyola University Chicago and works in support of a number of projects with Dr. Morgan. Prior to enrolling at Loyola, Tori worked as a practitioner in the areas of orientation, first year experience, college access, and state government.

​

Her research interests include critical whiteness studies, organizational change, and the intersection of whiteness and gender in higher education.

​

Tori received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana State University with a major in liberal arts- concentration women and gender studies and minors in sociology and social work. She holds a Master of Arts Degree in Higher Education Administration from Louisiana State University.

Outside of her studies, Tori can be found playing with her dog, singing in the Chicago Community Chorus, rooting for the LSU Tigers, or spending time with family and friends.