Marquette has welcomed Tracie Sparks as its new director of professional learning and strategic initiatives within the Division of Student Affairs.
Sparks, a Marquette alumna with experience in corporate inclusion and belonging strategy and years of service to Native and Hispanic initiatives on campus, brings both professional expertise and a personal connection to the university’s mission.
In this Q&A, she shares what brought her back to campus, what she hopes to accomplish and how she plans to support a culture of belonging across the Marquette community.
You come from a corporate inclusion and belonging background. What drew you to this new role at Marquette?
I’ve spent much of my career working in corporate inclusion and belonging, creating equitable systems, building inclusive cultures and developing people through large-scale learning initiatives and talent-management strategies. What ultimately pulled me here, though, was the chance to apply that experience in a community that means so much to me. Returning to Marquette feels like a homecoming, and it lets me align professional expertise with my personal commitment to equity, inclusion and belonging for our students, faculty and staff.
As a Marquette alum, how does the university’s mission resonate with your work?
Marquette’s mission to educate the whole person, to lead with purpose and to be men and women for and with others deeply reflects how I approach leadership and inclusion. During my time on campus, I’ve supported Native students, advanced Indigenous initiatives and fostered community-centered leadership. To serve Marquette in a strategic role now means I can help build learning experiences that reflect our shared values and encourage belonging across departments.
What does your new role as director of professional learning and strategic initiatives involve, and what are your first priorities?
In my new role, I will be supporting the team with professional development, Hispanic initiatives, Native affairs, the Campus Climate Study, ERGs, some marketing and communications projects and assisting the Division of Belonging and Student Affairs. My priority is using the Campus Climate Study results to inform meaningful action. I’m looking forward to working with Dr. Chris Navia (acting vice president for belonging and student affairs) and our DBSA team to find ways to move the needle on those changes within our teams.
What values or experiences guide you most in your approach to this work?
I believe in servant leadership and the idea that we each hold different roles but share the same goal. Titles and hierarchy matter far less to me than how we treat people, how we show up, and how we use our skills, experiences and networks to serve others. That’s the kind of community I want to help create, so I try to live those values consistently at work, in the broader community and at home with my family. I also value grace in relationships and strive to extend that to everyone I collaborate with.
Do you have any favorite quotes, mentors or personal philosophies that inspire your leadership?
I’m inspired by the idea that our greatest impact often shows up in people we may never meet and that the way we lead, serve and make decisions can create opportunities and pave the way for others in our community. That philosophy grounds me in servant leadership and reminds me to think beyond the immediate moment.
My favorite quote is “What you allow, you promote”; “Character is how you treat those who can do nothing for you,” attributed to Malcolm Forbes; and Gandhi’s reminder that “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” These ideas guide how I show up, how I treat others and how I hope to lead Marquette and the broader community.
