Academic Community of Excellence | Office of the Vice President for Intercultural Affairs | Loyola Marymount University

From left, Kristin Kissell, ACE administrative coordinator; student staff members Mariah Williams; Maryela Mendoza; John Lopez; Yolanda Nosakhare; and Steven Neal, ACE director. Not pictured is student staff member Filippo Martellotti.

Director's Message

The Academic Community of Excellence, an initiative of the Vice President for Intercultural Affairs, strives to create pathways to master’s and doctoral studies for underrepresented students. We prioritize the pursuit of excellence in student’s academic and cocurricular endeavors; we raise our students’ consciousness by educating them about the benefits of obtaining a postgraduate degree, graduate educational access, and the importance of strengthening and diversifying the higher education pipeline; and we instill a commitment to investing in and supporting the progress of other underrepresented students at the pre-collegiate and collegiate levels.

This newsletter illustrates these tenets through the outstanding achievements and activities of our scholars and alumni. In this edition, we highlight two students who participated in summer research projects through the USC’s Diversity Inclusion Access initiative; feature a recipient of the distinguished Donald Strauss Scholarship and future medical practitioner-scholar; spotlight an ACE alum and first-generation medical student who is enrolled in the UCLA/Drew PRIME-LA Program; and we highlight the graduate and professional school conference activities of our sophomores. Through these activities and more, ACE is raising the profile of graduate and professional studies, and promoting awareness around the need to expand educational access for first-generation and ethnically diverse students.

Steven Neal

Director, Academic Community of Excellence

ACE Scholar Sydney Adams

ACE Scholar Eduardo Encina

ACE Scholars Participate in Summer

Research Program at USC

Last summer, two ACE scholars participated in the Jumpstart Summer Research Program, an initiative of USC's Graduate Initiative for Diversity, Inclusion, and Access. According to USC, the DIA program aims to increase the pool of diverse Ph.D. applicants by providing academic and financial support alongside professional development opportunities. As part of USC's School of Pharmacy, junior Sydney Adams and senior Eduardo Encina engaged in research projects involving peptide therapeutics for genetic diseases, determining whether it was possible to use diphenyleneiodonium chloride as a therapeutic agent for glioblastoma. We asked Eduardo and Sydney to share their experiences:

How did you discover and select this program?

Eduardo: I received an email about the program from the McNair Scholars coordinator. I chose this program after applying to multiple summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates because I wanted to explore pharmacy school.

Sydney: USC is a dream school for me, and I applied after receiving an email from faculty members. I thought a pharmaceutical program would tie in well with my biochemistry major.

Describe your interactions with other participants and advisors.

Eduardo: Every program scholar was paired with either a Ph.D. student or recent Ph.D. graduate. Although we had opportunities to present together and socialize, I didn’t directly work with other undergraduates. My mentor, who was also my lab partner, was very helpful. We always helped each other run samples, clean instruments, and organize the lab. It was comforting to work with a recent Ph.D. graduate, and I felt at ease asking him about his journey to graduate school.

Describe a day in the life of a USC Jumpstart scholar.

Sydney: Every morning, I took the bus from the station near my apartment on the main USC campus to the School of Pharmacy, where I arrived at 9 a.m. My mentor, a Ph.D. student, helped me learn how to use new lab techniques and computer programs. I worked until lunch, and although I was the only undergraduate involved in my project, I ate with the other members of the Jumpstart Program. Presenting my work was the most intimidating part of the program, but the faculty helped me feel at ease with sharing my work. Finally, around 4 p.m., I returned to my apartment for free time.

What is the most important thing you took away from this experience?

Eduardo: People can tell you all day what graduate school is like, but it’s much different from being actually there. Not only did I get the chance to discover what graduate school was like, but I also got to witness the drive and passion needed to succeed there. It was also helpful to see what paths I could possibly take, especially by talking to other faculty and students about their plans.

What advice do you have for ACE scholars who want to apply for summer REUs?

Sydney: Do research about the benefits of the program and see what you’ll be doing. Get recommendation letters early. Also, ask questions about housing, because many programs include housing.

Eduardo: The hardest part is getting started. Don’t think, "Oh I’ll eventually get there." Just starting it will give you the motivation to finish it. Also, don’t limit yourself to one option. Apply for as many as you can.

Makeen Yasar, 2018 Donald A. Strauss

Scholarship Recipient

Makeen Yasar Receives Donald A. Strauss Scholarship to Launch Umoja Health Project

ACE senior Makeen Yasar is a recipient of the Donald A. Strauss Scholarship. He received this award to create the Umoja Health Project, an educational framework to promote engaged learning in the health sciences for students at Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnet. According to its website, the Donald A. Strauss Scholarship Foundation selects 10-15 California college sophomores or juniors annually, awarding an $8,000 service project grant alongside $7,000 in educational support.

While in high school, Makeen was fortunate to enroll in an anatomy and physiology class, where he discovered his desire to pursue a career in medicine. His primary motivation for developing the Umoja Health Project emerged from the fact that many high schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District lack funding or programming to facilitate education in health professions. Makeen wants to inspire students to pursue careers in medicine as he plans to do.

The Umoja Health Project will allow a cohort of Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnet students to participate in peer-to-peer mentorship with LMU students and engage in a non-traditional education. Participants will visit medical-profession facilities, attend panels and workshops hosted by medical professionals, and discuss topics such as mental health, anatomy and physiology. The program will culminate by hosting a community health fair for Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnet.

Makeen has two pieces of advice to those who want to apply to service based scholarships. First, he encourages students to not be afraid to ask for help. Makeen believes service projects are not meant to be done alone. LMU has many resources to turn to for support, such as the Academic Community of Excellence, the Division of Student Affairs, the Center for Service and Action, and Ethnic and Intercultural Services, among others.

Makeen also encourages students to apply for whatever programs possible. He states, “If you have the passion and you have the drive, don’t be afraid to apply, regardless on how well thought out the plan is. Filling out the application isn’t only going to develop the project; it’s going to develop you.” Great advice, Makeen.

Makeen Yasar gives an anatomy lesson at Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnet

Makeen Yasar teaches students at Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnet

ACE Alum, Charnise Taylor, Class of 2018

ACE Alum Begins Medical School through the Charles R. Drew/UCLA PRIME Program

This year, ACE alumna Charnise Taylor began her first year in the Charles R. Drew/UCLA PRIME Program. Upon completing the five-year program, Charnise will earn a Master’s Degree in Public Health and Doctor of Medicine degree. Charnise will receive the education and training necessary to work in public health for underserved communities..

Charnise is a first-generation student from Los Angeles, where she acknowledged having limited resources and a paucity of positive leaders in various communities. As a future physician, Charnise desires to work toward eliminating health disparities in underprivileged communities. She described the program as a “perfect match” for her career goals and interests.

As an LMU Lion, Charnise actively prepared for medical school by participating in the Lions for Venice Family Clinic program, volunteering at the UCLA Clinical Care Center, and participating in several summer enrichment and research programs. Charnise shared that ACE helped provide academic support and advice “not always easily accessible” at home. She revealed that ACE’s weekly classes served as a constant reminder of where she wanted to go and what she needed to do to get there. She expressed that ACE was vital in preparing her for her program, developing her personal statement, and keeping her focused on her aspirations.

When asked what the biggest unexpected challenges at UCLA were so far, Charnise said that she had to “learn not to compare [her]self to others.” She also shared that encountering students with different backgrounds and advantages than her was an intimidating challenge at first. However, because of UCLA's “good first-gen program,” Charnise spent the past summer with 28 members of her cohort and sought the many resources for first-generation students at UCLA. Charnise also stated that her biggest adjustment was “learning to say no [to the] many opportunities offered at UCLA” because she desired to "focus on obtaining knowledge and apply[ing] it later."

Charnise advised those who are about to select a graduate program to “choose a school that will make [them] happy.” Also, to consider the faculty and student staff in each program, and to think about how happy the program will make them. Congratulations, Charnise.

From left, Gregory James, assistant director for health professions; ACE sophomores Giselle Brambila; Leonardo Garcia Cerecedo; Francesca Briones; Danielle Garcia; and Alexis Cordova at the UC Davis Pre-Health Conference.

ACE Sophomores Attend Conferences Across California

This fall, ACE sophomores attended four major graduate and professional school conferences. Aspiring graduate students attended the California Forum for Diversity in Graduate Education at the University of San Diego; pre-business school students attended the QS World MBA Tour at the Marina del Rey Marriott; prelaw students attended the Law School Admission Council Forum at downtown Los Angeles's Westin Bonaventure Hotel; finally, premed and pre-health students, in partnership with the Career and Professional Development office, attended the UC Davis Pre-Health Conference.

At the conferences, students received advice on the intricacies of applying to graduate and professional school, preparing for admission tests, applying for scholarships and other forms of financial aid, or hearing from professionals in their career fields. Students attended plenary sessions, seminars, and graduate recruitment fairs where they can engage with alumni, staff, recruiters, and students from domestic and international programs.

When asked about her experience, Agnes Milenia stated that “the workshops were important because the speakers were admission reviewers.” Camille Grundy remarked that the financial workshops were beneficial, because they let students know that various “options [were] available.” Kimberly Rodriguez was encouraged to learn that “being a non-business major should not deter [students] from applying [to a business program]. Any major is welcome.” Lastly, the most important advice that Leonardo Garcia Cerecedo received was that “it is not enough to write about interests [when applying], but rather a student should be able to prove their interest through experiential learning opportunities.”