Dianne Dawson-Daniels

SCPS faculty member Dr. Dianne Dawson Daniels teaches organizational development, leadership, and management courses and is serving as clinical full professor at Loyola University Chicago's School of Continuing and Professional Studies and the Quinlan School of Business. Dr. Dawson Daniels brings extensive industry experience to her instruction, including leading units and working with executives as a corporate finance vice president for Fortune 100 companies in the tech, telecom, and financial services industries.

Before joining Loyola, Dr. Dawson Daniels established a management consulting practice offering business management, strategic planning, and organizational development consulting. She advised organizations large and small in areas of strategy and implementation, change management, governance, and people and culture. Her clients included large nonprofits, investors, entrepreneurs, professional organizations, and corporate entities at various stages of organizational development and business growth. 

With a solid background in corporate finance, Dr. Dawson Daniels' passion eventually pivoted from finance to leading and managing people. This realization led her to pursue a Doctorate in Business Administration, focusing on ethical leadership and strategy, which facilitated her transition from industry to academia. Her tenure at SCPS has affirmed this career change, allowing her to immerse herself in teaching principles of leadership, management, and strategy to both undergraduate and graduate students, including those in MBA and doctoral programs.

"SCPS allows me to focus on the rigor of academia and the scholarly practices. It really fulfills my interest in helping our adults who are in the workplace or who have already accomplished a lot in their lives move even further and further along in their careers, building their passions."

At SCPS, Dr. Dawson Daniels discovered a nurturing environment that resonated with her dedication to lifelong learning and social justice.  SCPS serves a diverse adult student population, many of whom balance demanding jobs, family responsibilities, and academic aspirations. She finds immense fulfillment in supporting these students, guiding them through the complexities of career advancement and personal growth. 

One of the courses Dr. Dawson Daniels teaches is CPST 365 Advanced Special Topics: Strategic Equity and Inclusion. Offered to SCPS and Loyola students, this course integrates leadership principles, management strategies, and DEI concepts to give students the tools to think strategically about building equitable and inclusive work environments. The course challenges students to reflect on their biases, understand systemic issues, and develop actionable plans for sustainable change.

"When you're looking at creating a more inclusive environment, you are principally talking about leading change. Like any other major change effort, you have to think strategically about the systems within and the people who are a part of those systems.  The concept of thinking strategically about equity inside of organizations is an important approach to creating change.  

CPST 365 provides an opportunity to consider how sound leadership and management practices, reflection on society’s issues around inclusive behaviors, and an organization’s culture are all a part of the complex effort to build an equitable workplace. It is really thinking strategically around change management and one’s role as a leader, but then also understanding human behavior and what's really going on in our world, which directly impacts the organization."

In addition to CPST 365, Dr. Dawson Daniels teaches CPST 250: Foundations of Organizations. This course provides a broad understanding of organizational behavior, leadership, and strategic management, equipping students with essential skills for any career path. Dr. Dawson Daniels designed CPST 250 to highlight the importance of interpersonal skills, self-awareness, and strategic thinking in achieving organizational objectives. By fostering a deep understanding of how organizations operate and how people interact within them, she prepares her students to be effective leaders and managers who can navigate and influence organizational dynamics positively.

Dr. Dawson Daniels' ability to connect with and motivate adult learners makes her an invaluable asset to SCPS and a testament to the power of education in fostering meaningful change. Through her work, she continues to inspire and empower her students, helping them navigate their careers and contribute positively to their organizations and society.

"The School of Continuing and Professional Studies at Loyola University of Chicago is the place to balance academic rigor with proper support structures. We focus on ensuring that learning takes place. Faculty are very serious about the content and the commitment to transferring knowledge."