The Center for Catholic Education consists of staff and faculty that are dedicated to Catholic education and embrace Jesuit values and traditions.
Lauren Casella, Ed.D.
Lauren Casella, Ed.D., serves LMU as the interim executive director of the Center for Catholic Education and director of the Catholic School Leadership Academy. She is an assistant clinical professor in the School of Education’s Department of Educational Leadership and Administration.
Her teaching and research activities focus on Catholic leadership formation, mission and Catholic identity, school culture, Catholic school governance, and board formation. Dr. Casella teaches research methods and doctoral writing seminars, chairs doctoral research exploring themes of belonging and social justice leadership, and leads improvement science projects focused on academic excellence.
In addition, Dr. Casella serves on the Board of Directors for the National Catholic Educational Association and was appointed to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles' Catholic Education Council by Archbishop Gómez.
Dr. Casella earned a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Southern California and a master of science degree in leadership and supervision from Loyola University Chicago. She holds a General Administrative Credential and a Teaching License in the state of Illinois.
Christopher Aquino, Ed.D. ’23, Director of Catholic Teaching Programs
Dr. Christopher Aquino is the Director of Catholic Teaching Programs at Loyola Marymount University (LMU). A proud product of Catholic schools and an alumnus of LMU's Doctoral Program, Cohort 17 (coined the "COVID class"), he brings professional experience that reflects the university's commitment to fostering learning and developing servant leaders capable of transforming educational challenges.
Before entering higher education, Dr. Aquino gained 15 years of experience across public and private TK-12 educational settings, serving with distinction as both a teacher and an administrator. His background as a baseball coach at the high school and collegiate levels has deeply shaped his approach to mentorship, enabling him to integrate athletic coaching strategies into his guidance and instruction of future educators. This diverse background informs his current university service, where he prepares the next generation of teachers through rigorous academic and mission-driven training.
Dr. Aquino advocates for mental health and holistic student development. His leadership support helps schools cultivate inclusive environments where students can thrive academically, emotionally, and spiritually. Grounded in faith, service, and the promotion of justice, Dr. Aquino's teaching and mentorship focus on compassionate leadership, intentional instructional design, and teacher development across diverse, faith-based contexts. Dr. Aquino is dedicated to empowering future educators to enter their classrooms ready to lead with deep compassion, intentionality, and a lifelong commitment to social responsibility and servant leadership.
Rachelle Henry, Senior Administrative Coordinator
Rachelle Henry serves as Interim Senior Administrative Coordinator for the Center for Catholic Education. With a career spanning K-12 and higher education, including 10 years of service at LMU, she brings deep experience in educator preparation, educational leadership, and program coordination.
Before joining the Center, Rachelle was Assistant Director of Leadership Programs in LMU’s Department of Educational Leadership and Administration, where she helped prepare aspiring school administrators through program coordination, leadership assessment, and fieldwork support. She also contributed to the Catholic School Leadership Academy (CSLA), organizing program activities and learning experiences for aspiring Catholic school leaders.
Earlier at LMU, Rachelle served as Coordinator/Supervisor of Fieldwork for the Departments of Elementary and Secondary Education and Urban Education. In that role, she oversaw clinical field experiences, worked closely with teacher candidates and university supervisors, and contributed to program improvement and accreditation efforts. Her background also includes time as a classroom teacher and school administrator in the Los Angeles Unified School District, where she gained firsthand experience in instructional leadership and in serving school communities. She holds a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Pepperdine University.
Throughout her career, Rachelle has found purpose in walking alongside educators at every stage of their professional journey, knowing that investing in teachers and school leaders strengthens the students and communities they serve. Guided by her faith and a commitment to service, she values meaningful relationships, collaboration, and creating opportunities for others to grow and succeed.