The Investiture of Dr. Monique Guillory
Dillard University’s 9th President
The Dillard University Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Monique Guillory, a native New Orleanian with over 30 years of executive-level experience in higher education, to serve as the university’s interim president effective July 1, 2024. Dr. Guillory joined Dillard as provost and chief academic and enrollment officer on April 1, 2024, and was serving as acting president since May of this year. Trustee Michael D. Jones, Dillard’s board chair stated that Dr. Guillory “comes highly recommended, including from our vice chair and alum, Rochester Anderson, who serves with her on the Board of Directors of St. Augustine High School in New Orleans.”
Much of Dr. Guillory’s career has been at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). Her expertise includes academic program development, accreditation processes, STEM pipelines, and student success. Additionally, she has served on the cabinets of six university presidents.
Prior to coming to Dillard, Dr. Guillory was chief of staff and senior vice president for the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), where she led the development of the institutional strategic plan and provided leadership for UDC’s K-12 partnership with the Anacostia Feeder Pattern.
She has also been among the executive leadership team at Jackson State University, Xavier University of Louisiana, the Southern University System, and the University of the Virgin Islands.
Dr. Guillory is a former member of the substantive change committee for the Middle States Commission for Higher Education (MSCHE), an experienced Middle States evaluator for regional accreditation, and previously served as member-elect for the Middle States Regional Council for the College Board.
She earned her Ph.D. in comparative literature and performance studies from New York University, where she was awarded the Arthur J. Schomburg Award for Excellence in the Humanities. She is the co-editor of “Soul: Black Power, Politics and Pleasure,” and is a former Mellon Fellow. Dr. Guillory is a fiercely proud New Orleanian who graduated from St. Mary’s Academy and Tulane University.
Dare to Dream Investiture Events
Thursday, October 30
2:00 p.m. | Dillard University Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
The Innovation Collective Residence Hall
4101 Norman Mayer, New Orleans, LA 70122
5:00 p.m. | Dillard University Art Department
Dillard University Samuel DuBois Cook Art Gallery
The Golden Mean Faculty Art Exhibition
7:30 p.m. | Dillard University Theatre Department **
Dillard University Samuel DuBois Cook Theatre
Theatre Department Presents: FEVER – Celebrating its 90th Year
Friday, October 31
10:00 a.m. | Investiture Ceremony
Dillard University Avenue of the Oaks
2601 Gentilly Boulevard, New Orleans, LA 70122
12:00 p.m. | Investiture Reception
Dillard University Avenue of the Oaks
7:00 p.m. | Investiture Gala “Twilight on the Oaks” **
Dillard University Professional Schools Building (PSB)
Attire: Alternate Egos and Southern Gothic Glam
Saturday, November 1
3:00 p.m. | Celebration of NOLA Music Festival **
Dillard University Alfred Lawless Memorial Chapel
Featuring: Dr. Michael White, Oscar Rossignoli, Delfeayo Marsalis, and John Boutte’
Sunday, November 2
10:00 a.m. | Ecumenical Service
Dillard University Alfred Lawless Memorial Chapel
** Denotes Ticketed Event
Dare to Dream Investiture Event Pricing
Please purchase tickets on the Dare to Dream Investiture Events page >>
$50 | Dillard University Theatre Department **Samuel DuBois Cook Theatre
Theatre Department Presents: FEVER – Celebrating its 90th Year
$100 | Celebration of NOLA Music Festival
Dillard University Alfred Lawless Memorial Chapel
Featuring: Dr. Michael White, Oscar Rossignoli, Delfeayo Marsalis, and John Boutte’
$200 | Investiture Gala “Twilight on the Oaks”
Dillard University Professional Schools Building (PSB)
Attire: Alternate Egos and Southern Gothic Glam
$300 | Investiture Package Deal
Dillard University Theatre Department Presents FEVER
Investiture Gala “Twilight on the Oaks”
Celebration of NOLA Music Festival
$500 | Investiture Package Deal (Couple)
Dillard University Theatre Department Presents FEVER
Investiture Gala “Twilight on the Oaks”
Celebration of NOLA Music Festival
Dare to Dream Investiture Sponsorships
PLATINUM SPONSOR | $25,000
Verbal recognition by the President
Print and digital recognition at the Investiture Ceremony and Gala
Reserved premium seating at the Investiture Gala
Premium placement of logo on the Investiture website
Private meet-and-greet with the President
GOLD SPONSOR | $10,000
Verbal recognition
Print and digital recognition at the Investiture Ceremony and Gala
Reserved premium seating at the Investiture Gala
Premium placement of logo on the Investiture website
Private meet-and-greet with the President
SILVER SPONSOR | $5,000
Print and digital recognition at the Investiture Ceremony and Gala
Reserved seating at the Investiture Ceremony
Placement of logo on the Investiture website
Delegates
We are honored to welcome you to participate as a delegate in the Investiture of Dr. Monique Guillory, the 9th President of Dillard University, taking place October 30–November 2, 2025.
Please complete the registration form below to confirm your participation. Additional details regarding the processional, robing, arrival instructions, and the run of show will be shared with you closer to the event.
We look forward to celebrating this momentous occasion with you at Dillard University.
