Who: Lori Atkinson
Job Title: Office Manager, School of Music and Theatre Professions
Years at Loyola: 1
Lori Atkinson joined the College of Music and Media in 2023 after working in the hospitality industry for several years. She spent time working front of house and managerial positions for small business owners, with stints in nonprofit and manufacturing administration work.
Atkinson grew up in Oklahoma and obtained a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Ball State University in Indiana. She moved to New Orleans to attend graduate school at the University of New Orleans, where she received a master’s degree in Urban Studies, with a concentration in Cultural Resource Management.
During graduate school, Atkinson worked with the National WWII Museum, the New Orleans Film Festival, the Old U.S. Mint and local artists in the community. Before coming to Loyola, she was a New Orleans tour guide and driver for one of the mule tour companies, and worked her way up to Operations Manager, focusing on operational processes and community engagement.
Atkinson said her favorite part of working at Loyola is seeing the students shine.
“They are both driven and kind,” she said. “I feel like a proud parent every time I see them perform. I also have faith that they truly can go forth and set the world on fire."
