Each year, there are at least two occasions to celebrate the scholars and alumni of the Academic Community of Excellence (ACE). One is the excitement of their impending graduation and future educational and career endeavors. The other is learning about their graduate school acceptances and completion activities. 

With this in mind, I am pleased to present the spring/summer 2018 edition of the ACE newsletter. In this issue, we highlight the educational achievements of scholars from the annual ACE Recognition Banquet. Next, we spotlight valedictorian Jonathan Santos and Ignatian Award and University Scholar of the Year Award recipient Luciano Manfredi Console. Also, we feature two accomplished alumni, one who is pursuing a master’s degree at Boston College and the other a juris doctorate at UCLA Law School. Also, we announce a collaboration that occurred between ACE and LMU’s Upward Bound Program. Finally, we provide a snapshot of the graduate and professional school activities of our alumni. I trust that you will be moved by the academic and leadership-related successes of our scholars and alumni.

Steven Neal
Director, Academic Community of Excellence

On Friday, March 23, ACE held its annual Scholars Recognition Banquet, which recognized the academic achievements of its continuing scholars and graduating seniors.

Sociology major Jonathan Santos completed his final year at Loyola Marymount University. Known for his involvements with ACE and Harambe (to name a few), Jonathan completed his undergraduate career as the valedictorian for the Class of 2018. "I never thought I'd apply to be valedictorian, let alone be selected. Luckily, I had close friends and Dr. Stacy Burns, one of my mentors in the Sociology Department, who encouraged me to go for it, even when I didn't believe in myself."

Shifting his focus from law school, Jonathan plans to pursue a career in the broadcast media industry and is interviewing for several companies, including NBCUniversal, where he has interned. Taking advantage of the opportunities at LMU, Jonathan credits his most memorable experiences with friends and being immersed in amazing communities on campus. He remarked, "ACE had a huge impact on my development as a student and as a person. The program introduced me to some of my closest friends and guided me through the many, many times I felt unsure about my future. The mission of ACE, which is to prepare students of color for graduate and professional school, is one that resonates with my values strongly. It's such an important effort."

When asked what message he wished to impart to the graduating class, Jonathan had this to say: "We live in some pretty challenging times. I want to encourage the Class of 2018 to go forth and face these challenges head-on, to make the world a better place for everyone, and to never give up."

Congratulations on receiving the Presidential Citation and Ignatian Award, and for being recognized as the Program Scholar and University Scholar of the Year. How does it feel to be recognized for these four distinctions?

It was a big pleasure because I never do things to receive something, but suddenly it was really wonderful being recognized. The Ignatian Award was a big surprise. It best encapsulates all of this.

Describe the special meaning that the Ignatian Award has for you?

This was the biggest surprise. [The selection process] is much more subjective. It is a more human way of measuring the recipient. I felt really valued and that my involvements had an impact. Leaving after four years and making an impact at LMU was a goal of mine. 

What are your most memorable experiences at LMU? Outside of LMU?

Attending a research conference (the Karl Schwarzschild Meeting) in Frankfort, Germany. I received an honorable mention. Being recognized initially was mind-blowing and a dream come true. We also produced two publications which was a tremendous feeling that marked my experience.

How do you believe you’ve grown or changed over the last four years?

I managed to improve academically, in terms of leadership, and service and promoting opportunities for others. I’m here because of all the help I’ve received all my life. The motto I live by is giving back. This is how I live by the education of the whole person. The way I give back to society is generating knowledge or providing opportunities but they all converge in giving back and providing opportunities for others. You must step out of your comfort zone rather in research or impacting the lives of others.

What are your postgraduate plans/goals? How did these plans form or evolve?

My life goal is to understand our place in the universe. Next year, I’d like to attend graduate school in England at Cambridge or Oxford to obtain a master's of advanced studies with an emphasis in math or physics, which will provide the tools to be successful in a Ph.D. program. Afterwards, I’d like to return to the U.S. to obtain a Ph.D. Then, I’ll have the tools to be a lifelong researcher in the U.S. to disseminate knowledge by teaching and researching. Also, I plan to go back to Argentina to develop the education system to forge a bridge that will encourage others to pursue educational opportunities abroad. 

What advice do you have for other ACE students? LMU students?

Make use of the Jesuit education. Be willing to develop academically. Check yourself, do independent study, take advanced studies. When you do research, things get interesting. It will be valuable for graduate school. Then explore leadership and service. You never know when these will apply later. But not in an empty way. Be there for others. Engage in leadership and service with a vision behind it and articulate that vision with your actions, involvement, leadership, and service at LMU. 

ACE Alumni Focus