Loyola Marymount University Partners with Jesuit Refugee Service

The partnership, which commenced in June 2026 and runs through December 2028, taps into the expertise of LMU’s College of Business Administration and the Center for Ignatian Spirituality. Faculty will guide the development of a hybrid curriculum blending humanitarian management with mission-centered reflection. This initiative is designed to equip regional directors, project heads, and emerging leaders with the skills to navigate the volatile environments inherent in global refugee work.

Dayle M. Smith, dean of the LMU College of Business Administration, stated that the program aims to cultivate leaders capable of addressing global challenges with purpose. The curriculum will move beyond traditional management theory, incorporating Ignatian practices such as accompaniment and reconciliation. The first cohort is slated to begin in early 2027, featuring an intensive in-person residency at a frontier location where the Jesuit Refugee Service operates. Brother Michael Schöpf, international director of the organization, noted that as the apostolate grows, the need for a framework that combines academic rigor with practical application has become increasingly critical for those serving vulnerable communities.