Dawn Richard Joined Loyola University New Orleans Faculty

The R&B artist has been appointed as an adjunct professor in the College of Music and Media.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in R&B

Dawn Richard Joined Loyola University New Orleans Faculty

Live Poll

Do you believe having professional artists teach in university programs improves student education?

Singer and songwriter Dawn Richard has joined the faculty of Loyola University New Orleans. She will serve as an adjunct professor specializing in popular and commercial music for the school's College of Music and Media.

Why it matters

The appointment brings two decades of professional music industry experience into the classroom. Richard shares the practical knowledge gained from her extensive career in high-profile R&B groups and as a solo artist with the next generation of students.

Richard maintains a extensive catalog of releases, including five solo albums debuted in 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, and 2021. This career follows her foundational work with major label groups Danity Kane and Diddy-Dirty Money.

The players

Dawn Richard

An R&B singer and songwriter who gained fame through the group Danity Kane and the collective Diddy-Dirty Money before pursuing a solo career.

Loyola University New Orleans

A private Jesuit university in New Orleans that operates a prominent College of Music and Media.

The details

The university appointed the artist to provide students with insight into the commercial side of the music business. Richard brings experience from her time in groups formed on the television show Making the Band 3, as well as her independent solo career.

Dawn Richard auditioned for Making the Band 3 in 2004.
Danity Kane disbanded and Richard joined Diddy-Dirty Money in 2009.
Diddy-Dirty Money released Last Train to Paris in 2010.
Diddy-Dirty Money disbanded in 2012.
The appointment was announced on September 24, 2026.

College Applications
Sept. 23
Tulane Will Restore Undergraduate Engineering Degrees
Jazz
Sept. 21
Jazz Museum Will Open Donna’s Bar Exhibition
Remote Work
Sept. 20
Mayor Moreno Updated New Orleans City Budget

The Big Picture

This appointment follows a growing trend of prestigious music programs integrating active industry professionals into their teaching rosters. By positioning a seasoned artist within the Loyola University New Orleans College of Music and Media, the school bridges the gap between academic theory and real-world pop music strategy.

Students enrolled in the College of Music and Media will now have direct access to Richard's industry expertise through her role as an adjunct professor. This appointment provides local students with a rare opportunity to learn commercial music techniques from an active performer.

The takeaway

Richard's transition to higher education highlights the value of blending artistic output with professional mentorship. Students looking to enter the music industry can benefit from studying under instructors who have navigated the evolution of major label and independent production cycles.