Meet Our Team
Cory Barnes, Director of the Center for Black Student Excellence (he/him/his)
At Loyola University Chicago, Cory Barnes serves as the inaugural Director of the Center for Black Student Excellence. Born on the West Side of Chicago and raised in Bellwood, Cory attended Northern Illinois University (NIU) to earn his bachelor's degree in Sociology with a Criminology emphasis. He returned to Northern Illinois University to earn a Master of Science in Education in Adult and Higher Education while working as an Admissions Recruiter for the South and West Side of Chicago. His interests lie in the areas where social justice and culturally relevant pedagogy converge. As a result of the challenges he encountered in his own education, he decided to pursue a doctorate in higher education administration from Illinois State University, which he will complete in 2024. In addition to his remarkable ability to be innovative and create and facilitate workshops, Cory brings a wide range of skills to the institution, including developing programs and policies, their evaluation, implementation, and assessment. During his tenure at CBSE, he aspires to advocate for the visibility, acknowledgment, and commemoration of Black students, with the overarching objective of enhancing a sense of belonging, access, and opportunities for both Black students and all students at Loyola.
Morgan Ransom, Advisor and Coordinator for events of the Center for Black Student Excellence
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As the inaugural coordinator for the Center for Black Student Excellence, Morgan Ransom serves as the primary point of contact for Black student organizations as an advisor, as well as the coordinator for events held through CBSE. Throughout her time at Loyola, Morgan had the pleasure of being at the university not just as an administrator, but as an undergraduate student.
Before graduating in May 2022 with a degree in Global Studies and minors in Business Administration and Chinese, Morgan served as a Resident Assistant, a LUCES mentee and Q-Mentor within the Center for Diversity & Inclusion. Outside of Loyola, Morgan worked as an intern within Commonwealth Edison’s external corporate communications office. In their senior year, served as an intern within the Jesuit Refugee Services International Office while studying in Rome, Italy.
Morgan is honored to be returning to Loyola Chicago and excited to serve with the Division of Student Development as a liaison and support for the student population. Morgan puts student voices at the center of her work and is honored to be working both for and with the University in that mission. In their free time, Morgan enjoys writing, going to the gym, and spending time with her pets: her cat Marigold and her two golden doodles Ginger and Pepper.
Cory Barnes, Director of the Center for Black Student Excellence (he/him/his)
At Loyola University Chicago, Cory Barnes serves as the inaugural Director of the Center for Black Student Excellence. Born on the West Side of Chicago and raised in Bellwood, Cory attended Northern Illinois University (NIU) to earn his bachelor's degree in Sociology with a Criminology emphasis. He returned to Northern Illinois University to earn a Master of Science in Education in Adult and Higher Education while working as an Admissions Recruiter for the South and West Side of Chicago. His interests lie in the areas where social justice and culturally relevant pedagogy converge. As a result of the challenges he encountered in his own education, he decided to pursue a doctorate in higher education administration from Illinois State University, which he will complete in 2024. In addition to his remarkable ability to be innovative and create and facilitate workshops, Cory brings a wide range of skills to the institution, including developing programs and policies, their evaluation, implementation, and assessment. During his tenure at CBSE, he aspires to advocate for the visibility, acknowledgment, and commemoration of Black students, with the overarching objective of enhancing a sense of belonging, access, and opportunities for both Black students and all students at Loyola.
Morgan Ransom, Advisor and Coordinator for events of the Center for Black Student Excellence
As the inaugural coordinator for the Center for Black Student Excellence, Morgan Ransom serves as the primary point of contact for Black student organizations as an advisor, as well as the coordinator for events held through CBSE. Throughout her time at Loyola, Morgan had the pleasure of being at the university not just as an administrator, but as an undergraduate student.
Before graduating in May 2022 with a degree in Global Studies and minors in Business Administration and Chinese, Morgan served as a Resident Assistant, a LUCES mentee and Q-Mentor within the Center for Diversity & Inclusion. Outside of Loyola, Morgan worked as an intern within Commonwealth Edison’s external corporate communications office. In their senior year, served as an intern within the Jesuit Refugee Services International Office while studying in Rome, Italy.
Morgan is honored to be returning to Loyola Chicago and excited to serve with the Division of Student Development as a liaison and support for the student population. Morgan puts student voices at the center of her work and is honored to be working both for and with the University in that mission. In their free time, Morgan enjoys writing, going to the gym, and spending time with her pets: her cat Marigold and her two golden doodles Ginger and Pepper.