Director of Mission Animation Named

Luci-Jo DiMaggio, formerly of Spiritan Campus Ministry, has been named the director of mission animation. The new position within the Division of Mission and Identity was developed to help impact the way the Spiritan charism is viewed as it is lived out through the University’s mission.

“It’s about celebrating how the mission is lived on campus, in local neighborhoods and in the world,” said the Rev. Raymond French, C.S.Sp., vice president for mission and identity. “It’s also about fostering an understanding of the Spiritan charism that inspires that mission.”

In her new role, DiMaggio will work to broaden knowledge on campus and in the community about the Spiritan charism and what it means to “live it.” In addition, she will utilize both traditional and non-traditional methods—including presentations, workshops, conversation and activities with campus and external groups—to show others how their beliefs about the Duquesne mission connect to the University’s Spiritan roots.

“Living the mission is something we do very well at Duquesne, but we don’t always have the time to lift up our own work or name it as mission-centered to the wider community,” said DiMaggio, who most recently served as assistant director of Spiritan Campus Ministry. “My hope is that I will help lift up the wonderful work already happening on campus and help to have it recognized as mission-centered and Spiritan.”

DiMaggio is already planning several events and activities to help increase knowledge and awareness of Duquesne’s Spiritan founders and the mission—the first of which, Heritage Week, will be held in conjunction with this year’s Homecoming celebration.

A 1998 graduate of the Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, DiMaggio also earned a master’s degree in pastoral ministry in 2005 from the McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts. She joined the University in 2003 as campus minister and was ultimately named assistant director in Spiritan Campus Ministry in 2009.

During her tenure with Spiritan Campus Ministry, DiMaggio helped to create and/or expand numerous programs, including Spring Clean Up, the Cross-Cultural Mission Experiences and the Laval Project. These and other Spiritan Campus Ministry programs provide students, faculty and staff the opportunity to participate in activities that promote the University’s mission and the Spiritan charism that inspires it.