Impact Stories

Alaya McKinney has always been dedicated to education, faith, and community. Hailing from Glendale, California, McKinney graduated high school at the age of 15, and went on to attend College of the Canyons before transferring to Cal State University Northridge with dreams of becoming a Prosecuting Attorney.

In 2010, at 18, her life was drastically altered when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Ending up depending on walking aids, she was forced to leave school for three years to focus on healing. "Through the grace of God, intensive medication, and physical therapy, I got my life back to become the woman I am today," McKinney says.

That painful experience completely changed the trajectory of her career. After graduating from CSUN in 2015 with a degree in Communications Studies, she decided to devote her life to advocating for people with disabilities. She chose Pepperdine's School of Public Policy for her graduate work.

"I researched a numerous amount of the schools, but Pepperdine was the only one I applied to," she says. "Being a conservative Christian woman living in today's political climate, I felt Pepperdine would be the perfect fit. Plus, I loved Dean Peterson's stance on diversity of thought and free thinking. It’s just a wonderful, safe community all around.”

McKinney is grateful for her scholarship, which has enabled her to pursue her dreams without worry. "It has assisted in paying most of my tuition, eliminating the stressors of going into debt," she says.

She notes that attending Pepperdine has been a life-changing experience for her. "For the first time in my collegiate career, I am surrounded by administrators and faculty that are supportive and committed to helping me achieve academic excellence," she exclaims.

McKinney plans to use her education to advocate for individuals who have been disenfranchised based on their disability. After completing her master's, McKinney hopes to attend the Caruso School of Law and the Graziadio Business School, where she will acquire both her Juris Doctorate and MBA. From there, she plans to be a Disability Rights Attorney and, one day, a California Senator.

McKinney serves on numerous executive boards at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society: Junior Board of Trustees (Emerging Leaders Board), Government Relations Advocacy Committee, Services Advisory Committee, District Leader Advocate, Chairwoman of the Public Policy and Advocacy Board, and the Black MS Summit Committee. In these roles, she travels to Washington DC and Sacramento to lobby and testify before Congress and Legislators regarding Bills and Legislation that impact the disabled community.

By sharing her personal battle with the illness, Alaya hopes to change the stigma of what Multiple Sclerosis looks like, what age group is affected by the disease, and let the world know that there is no limit to what an MS patient can achieve.

Mark Colombano

Mark Colombano decided he wanted to attend Pepperdine in his junior year of high school and was over-joyed when he was accepted to Seaver in 1985. A business major, Mark loved school, made lots of friends, and was active in Pepperdine athletics, particularly lacrosse. Mark’s parents, Kathy and Lou Colombano, often attended games with their son, and the men’s basketball team’s 1986 NCAA Tournament was a memorable bonding experience for the family.

Sadly, Mark passed away in a tragic motorcycle accident during his sophomore year. Ironically, the circumstances drew the Kathy and Lou closer to the Pepperdine community, and in 1987, the couple started the Mark Colombano Memorial Scholarship fund.

Every year, the scholarship supports two students who have a love of learning and leadership, plus a passion for the University’s extracurricular activities. Kathy, who is the administrator of the scholarship, looks for students who remind her of Mark and his devotion to education and athletics.

“We have always thought that athletics and sports add so much to a students’ life skills,” notes Kathy. “Sports teach teamwork, patience, time management, friendship, and a sense of community – all things you need to know in life – both in personal relationships and in any career!” 

Kathy recalls one scholarship recipient in particular: “We knew [him] through Pepp basketball, but he had to leave due to financial reasons. We ran into him on a trip and learned that he wanted to return so he could earn his degree through Pepperdine. We told him to apply for the scholarship and he did. He was exactly the kind of student we were looking for – hard working and willing to do whatever he needed to do to earn a degree from Pepperdine.”

Passionate supporters of the University for over 30 years, Lou and Kathy’s involvement goes much further than the scholarship. Lou sits on the Seaver College Board of Visitors, the Athletics Campaign Committee, and the Crest Advisory Board. 

Kathy has been a longtime member of the Center for the Arts Guild. ”We have always enjoyed the arts but having such an amazing ambassador as Rebecca Carson has made this journey even more special,” she says. Rebecca is a treasure and it is a blessing to be able to support her and all of her work!”

Moreover, daughter Lisa graduated from Seaver in 1991 and went on to get her law degree from the Caruso School of Law in 1994. She is married to John Marking, also a 1994 Caruso School of Law graduate.

“Pepperdine is special because of the people,” Kathy observes. “So many friends and friendships over the years. Pepperdine creates a sense of purpose and guidance for all.”

Samuel Sun first picked up the violin at the age of nine, and he's never put it down. "I was immediately drawn to the violin because I could play music with other kids in orchestra," he recalls. "It was really the social and communal aspect of music that drew me to the instrument. To this day, sharing my love of music with others and being a part of something greater than oneself is still one of the driving forces behind my love and pursuit of music professionally." 

At the age of 15, Sam was among the winners in the world-renowned Great Composers Competition, the first international competition in which he successfully placed. "It was very validating to see my hard work pay off and to receive recognition for my musical abilities," he says. "This experience definitely motivated me to continue practicing and improving, and it helped me gain confidence in my musical abilities."

When it came time to think about pursuing his undergraduate studies, Sun wanted to attend a school that offered a strong liberal arts curriculum and a high-level music program. He found that at Seaver College. "I wanted to receive a well-rounded education while still being able to focus on my music studies," he notes. 

Sun also plays the viola, an instrument with which he plans to make a career in performance.  He pursued a double major in applied performance and music education at Seaver. He says this allowed him flexibility to pursue the violin and viola equally, which also drew him to the program.

While at Pepperdine, Sun had the privilege of studying with Alexander Treger, the former Los Angeles Philharmonic concertmaster and one of his generation's greatest violinists. "I was given opportunities to be both the concertmaster and the principal violist of the orchestra, and I performed a senior capstone recital on both instruments," he says.

Additionally, Sun had the opportunity to study conducting with Pepperdine’s orchestra director Dr. Pierre Tang, and he conducted the orchestra on a few occasions in concerts at Smothers Theatre. "These opportunities to effectively double major in two instruments and even conduct the school orchestra would have been very hard to come by at any other undergraduate music program or school," he asserts.
 
All of these life-changing experiences would not have been possible had he not been awarded dual Pepperdine scholarships. Sun says he is grateful he had the flexibility to pursue his studies without worrying about financial burdens. "[My scholarships] have given me the ability to attend prestigious summer music programs and festivals that are often quite expensive and have also enabled me to travel for important competitions and graduate auditions," he says. 

"The career path of an artist has always contained a degree of unpredictability and risk, so I am extremely grateful for the financial flexibility that my scholarships have given me as I embark on this uncertain yet rewarding journey…Coming to Pepperdine has allowed me to continue my interests in conducting, viola performance, and nonprofit management that I otherwise would not have been able to pursue."

After graduation, Sun will pursue a Master of Music in Viola Performance at the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University on an Eckstein Scholarship. He would also like to further his career as a professional orchestral musician, chamber musician, teacher, and conductor. 

"I want to mentor and teach young musicians and help them foster a love of music and a sense of community through music-making," he says. "I am excited to see where my career takes me, and I am grateful for the foundation that Pepperdine has provided me."

As a child, Isaac Torres dreamed of becoming a policeman and a soldier. When he joined the Marine Corps at the age of 19, he got the best of both worlds—as a military police officer. 

“The first thing I did when I entered the Corps was request to become military police,” he recalls. “I loved every minute of it. It was a dream come true.”
During his 5-year assignment, Torres was responsible for performing military law enforcement duties, maintaining order and discipline, and supporting the commander's law enforcement and security requirements.

Upon leaving the service, Torres wanted to attend college and applied to Pepperdine as an undergraduate. “It was my first choice, because the University is rated highly for veterans,” says Torres, who entered Seaver College under the Yellow Ribbon Program.

The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008, also known as the Post-9/11 GI Bill® or Chapter 33. The Yellow Ribbon Program allows institutions of higher learning to partner with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to contribute funds to a veteran's tuition needs and other student fees. The program enables institutions to contribute an amount up to 50 percent of a veteran's unmet educational costs with the VA then matching that amount.

Torres majored in Integrated Marketing and Communications, and during his first year at Pepperdine, he learned about an opportunity to spend a semester abroad thanks to a scholarship from the American Legion. “I read about it in one of Pepperdine’s weekly newsletters sent by our director [of veteran student affairs] Eric Leshinsky,” he says. “I couldn’t pass up on this educational adventure.”

Torres chose to spend his semester in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he immersed himself in an entirely new culture. “It was incredible,” Torres notes. “I learned how to tango, which was a cool experience for me. I saw wild penguins and glaciers while in Patagonia. I also traveled to Brazil and Peru.”
Torres obtained his degree in three and a half years and says his time at Pepperdine was unforgettable. “I made so many good friends,” he expresses. “Plus the knowledge and experience I gained was invaluable.”

Currently, Torres, a resident of Riverside, California, works at his father’s construction business. In the spring of 2023, he will start a new job at Amazon as an area operations manager.

“Without a doubt, a Pepperdine education along with the University’s veterans services are top notch,” Torres asserts. “I would recommend that all college-bound veterans apply to be PeppVets!”

 

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GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

As a first-generation college student of color, Joshua Elizondo grew up in the foster care system. Without consistent parental guidance or financial support, Elizondo found that reaching for his dream of higher education was challenging but always remained in his heart. Thanks to being awarded Pepperdine's Horizon Scholarship, he is finally realizing that dream. The Horizon Scholars Program supports foster youth students at all five Pepperdine schools, helping them fulfill their higher education goals and, at the same time, inspiring others.

The recipient of the 2022 FosterMorey for Scholar of the Year, Elizondo is in his third semester at Seaver College focusing on international studies–specifically global politics with a minor in social work. While maintaining a high GPA, he also advocates for foster youth on the California Community College (CCC) level and sits on the Board of Governors overseeing the CCC's 116 schools.

"I'm extremely grateful for Pepperdine's support which has enabled me to reach for my educational goals," Elizondo says. "The Rogers Guardian Scholars, LisaKay Epstein Scholarship, and the Horizon Scholars Emergency Fund have made this all possible. I'm overcoming many challenges and am now helping other foster youth thrive."

Elizondo is actively involved with the Horizon Scholars Program and is hopeful that his efforts will increase the population of fosters at Pepperdine. According to Deborah Armstrong, Horizon Scholars program director, Elizondo has been a diligent and dedicated student worker.

"Our program has been blessed to learn many things from him due to his first-hand experience in the foster system and his leadership roles in many foster programs both on the federal and state level," Armstrong notes. "Joshua has been a student speaker for different presentations we have held and he is an inspiration to younger foster youth considering higher education and hopefully Pepperdine as a destination. I'm looking forward to working with him another year."

As for his future plans after obtaining his BA degree, Elizondo wants to get into the political field and use his platform for social change.

Dr. Hunter Paris, an assistant professor of sports medicine at Seaver College, is known for his groundbreaking studies in physiology. When it came time for him to select a student partner for his latest research project, "High Altitude and Obesity," Paris didn't hesitate to bring senior Akin Akinwumi onboard.

"I first interacted with Akin in the classroom," Paris recalls. "During this time he demonstrated many of the attributes we value most in the laboratory: curiosity, integrity, and a willingness to make mistakes. We invited him into the laboratory and were blessed that he accepted!"

Standing at an imposing 6' 7", Akinwumi is attending Pepperdine on an athletic scholarship to play volleyball. In high school, he earned a top honor in CIF-SS Division 3 volleyball, and in 2021, he garnered Mountain Pacific Sports Federation All-Academic honors. He plans to graduate in the spring of 2022 with a bachelors in sports medicine.

Akinwumi says he was intrigued by the materials Dr. Paris presented and was excited to participate in the study. "I never really considered doing research as an undergraduate student, but after the semester, Dr. Paris asked if I wanted to join him in his study. I realized it was a great opportunity that I was lucky to have and I gratefully accepted it."

The program involves a novel method of helping people maintain a healthy body weight by increasing caloric expenditure and lowering appetite. Volunteers are asked to exercise for thirty minutes at sea level and then recover from exercise while breathing air equivalent to being at a high altitude. "We suspect that the high altitude environment will promote additional calories burned and influence the hormones connected with hunger" Paris explains.

Akimwumi's responsibilities include ensuring participant safety, overseeing data collection on metabolism and oxygen consumption, processing plasma samples, and analyzing results.

"Additionally, he will help author our results for hopeful publication," Paris says. "He's also been involved in the dissemination of our findings to audiences outside the laboratory. His fingerprints are, therefore, spread throughout this study and his presence has been critical to progression and completion."

Akinwumi says his experience in the lab has been invaluable to his future career goals. "I hope to become an orthopedic doctor but I also want to be heavily involved in research in the field," he expresses. "This study has helped me take steps toward achieving my goal because it gave me hands-on experience with multiple aspects of conducting research, from study design, to data collection, to presentation of our study to reviewing other studies and more. Pepperdine has made a transformative impact on my life through the people I have been exposed to, but specifically, through the people that have mentored, coached, and taught me."

Renee Jackson believes it was the Lord's will that she apply to Pepperdine University, a decision that would change the course of her life. The SPP grad student was pursuing a pre-med path during her undergraduate journey when she found herself watching a political debate her mother urged her to watch. The debate featured a candidate with whom her mother was working, and the experience changed her view on what she should do with her career.

"I felt a pressing in my spirit that told me the career I was called to pursue was political," Jackson recalls. "The next day I went to the counselor's office and changed my major. Luckily, the Lord was guiding my steps further back than I had realized."

After applying and being accepted to a graduate program at her alma mater, Regent University, Jackson received an email from SPP informing her of a P-4 partnership with an organization with which she had been affiliated. The program also required her to take additional math classes, a notion she was not initially thrilled about.

"Something changed in me from that point on," she says. "I started praying that the Lord's will be done. My negative outlook on a couple more semesters of math became positive as I began to resonate with the fact that taking stats and econ as a part of a degree in public policy would make me a better candidate in the job market as opposed to a degree in government that did not incorporate the two."

Only three weeks later, Jackson received the news that not only was she accepted to SPP, but she was awarded a generous scholarship to attend. Her path was set.

"My acceptance and arrival were only the beginning. Since the start of my time at SPP, I have never felt like I have belonged at a school more," she exclaims. "I have never doubted for a second that Dean Peterson, Sheryl Covey, the rest of the administration, and my professors want to see me succeed."

Jackson went on to create the school's first politically affiliated organization at SPP, Conservatives of Public Policy (CoPP). "I would be lying if I told you it was an easy process," she remembers. "But I am excited to share that our organization garnered the most sign-ups with the first-year cohort."

Jackson will next be attending Creighton University School of Law to pursue her JD, where she will specialize in international and comparative law focusing on human rights, but she says she will never forget her time at Pepperdine. "Going the extra mile is a common recurrence at Pepperdine," she says. "Everyone I encountered, from faculty to the administration, wanted me to succeed, and I have made connections I will keep for the rest of my life. For me, Pepperdine is home, and I know I will return in some capacity."

A marriage and family therapist practicing in the South Bay, Evelyn Booth is a proud graduate of the Graduate School of Education, where she earned her MA. Booth says she selected GSEP because of the school's excellent reputation plus its alignment with her goals and values.

"So much good has come from my education at Pepperdine and much of it is unexpected," Booth says. "I found out that employers in the field know the caliber of education delivered at GSEP, so securing training and intern sites was never an issue. That meant that I could move pretty quickly through my licensing hours and become a full contributor to the field, sooner rather than later, which was important to me."

Since then, Booth has made a point of giving back to Pepperdine and its students. A loyal alumna, she serves on the school's Board of Visitors and supports the GSEP Community Counseling Center and Distinguished Lecture Series. In 2019, she and her husband, Curtice, established the Curtice and Evelyn Booth Veterans Endowed Scholarship out of a strong desire to help those who have served our nation obtain the highest levels of education possible.

"Given that Pepperdine's mission includes teaching students to not only become leaders, but to remain in service to others after graduation, we felt that Pepperdine was a particularly good fit for building upon the unique skills and strong leadership abilities many veterans who return from service possess," Booth expresses. "Our intent was that the scholarship help prevent any potential barriers to organizational leadership, teaching or mental health positions veterans might face so that they can further contribute to our community when they return from duty. My husband and I just don't feel that anyone who has served our country in the way U.S. veterans have, should end up being saddled with any more student debt than is necessary. These veterans deserve nothing but our thanks, and it was our intent to help reduce their financial burden in some small way."

Booth believes that in order to thrive in today's competitive world, higher education is more important than ever, which is why she and Curtice make it a point to donate whenever they can.

"There are just so many students from different walks of life that are capable of succeeding at graduate programs, but that may never consider it due to tuition fees which are, of course, vulnerable to increasing rates of inflation," she observes. "The beauty of giving a scholarship for us is imagining the number of lives that will be changed as a result of that gift. It's kind of mind-blowing to think about it. That one gift can touch so many people in such a positive way. You're really making a difference in our community when you give the gift of a scholarship, so we were happy to do it."

The Booths also lend their support to the fundraising efforts of several organizations dedicated to helping abused, homeless, at risk, and terminally ill children in the community.

An adjunct professor with Pepperdine for the past nine years, Dr. Shreyas Gandhi has earned multiple degrees through the University. In 1998, he graduated from Pepperdine Business School (now Graziadio Business School) with an MBA; in 2009 and 2020, he earned his EDD and PhD, respectively, from the Graduate School of Education and Psychology.

"In 2016, when GSEP received approval for the first PhD program in institution history, I joined the inaugural class (cohort #1) and also pursued the PhD in Global Leadership," he recalls.

Gandhi says his affiliation with the University has been a transformative experience. "I love the institutional values of purpose, service, and leadership,''' he expresses. "I have developed so many friendships, have been stretched academically, and have continued to realize my goal of being a lifelong learner. The faculty is amazing, I've traveled to China and Washington, DC in the program, and many doors have opened for me in the aerospace industry due to completing three graduate degrees from Pepperdine University."

Gandhi feels very strongly about giving back to the school that has done so much for him and believes that the gift of education will open many doors for future students. "Not all students come from a wealthy background or have a support structure in place," he notes. "A scholarship is one tangible thing we can do to help others, and therefore help society as a whole."

In 2019, Gandhi and his wife, Swati, established the Drs. Shreyas and Swati Gandhi Leadership Fund. "The University and GSEP have given me so much, and we feel indebted to give back," he says. "With this fund, we hope to provide financial assistance to those in need, so they too can have an opportunity to pursue an advanced degree at Pepperdine."

Gandhi joined the GSEP Board of Visitors in 2013, noting, "I have a unique perspective as an alumnus, BOV member, and core faculty member to see all sides of Pepperdine GSEP, and all I can say is I continue to be in awe at how genuine and selfless everyone is that I've encountered."

Gandhi currently teaches courses in research methods and advanced data analysis and interpretation. He participates in the administration of comprehensive exams and serves on dissertation committees both as a member and chair.

From an early age, Jennifer Chor knew she wanted to be in a profession in which she could profoundly help others. She concluded that becoming a trial lawyer would enable her to achieve that goal, and she’s never looked back.

Chor is proud to be a first-generation law student. Her grandparents and parents came to the United States as refugees to escape genocide and war in Cambodia. “To be the first in my family to pursue not only a graduate level education, but also a law degree, gives me a strong sense of personal achievement and accomplishment not only in myself, but as a representation of everything my family has endured to give me the opportunity to seek a better future for myself and my family,” she says..

Chor chose to attend the Caruso School of Law through an endowed scholarship because of the University’s certificate programs, Southern California location, and rising rank among other law programs. She is grateful for the opportunity that the scholarship has afforded her. 

“My scholarship has been a tremendous help in lifting some of the financial burden associated with attending law school,” she says. “It provided me with some mental relief with regards to financial budgeting and allowed me to focus instead on school matters. I would highly recommend students apply for it, because you miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take.”

Currently a 3L student, Chor is a respite worker for her special needs brother. Previously, she was the president of Pepperdine’s Asian American Law Students Association, where she worked with her peers as well as with practicing attorneys. 

“I strongly believe in contributing to local communities to give back to those in need and hope to continue to do so in the future,” she says.

Another way she is hoping to accomplish her personal mission is through the Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association, a bar organization for which she is a student representative. “The most meaningful experiences I have had as part of SCCLA were my experiences with the monthly free legal clinic and my involvement in the Mentorship Program,” she says.

Chor says she truly appreciates her time at Pepperdine. “I've made a close circle of friends and have had many opportunities here to both contribute to the student life and do well academically,” she observes. “The professors are well-versed in the subjects they teach and are always open and willing to help students.”

Jeremy Haynes is a devout man of God, an ordained minister who served for 10 years in pastoral ministry with Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village, California, and Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California. Presently, he is assistant head of school for Beacon Hill Classical Academy in Camarillo.

Haynes says his life wasn’t always so committed. He grew up in Moorpark, California, and attended both public and private schools before entering college. “While I was in school, I had no clarity yet, no direction,” he says. “So I dropped out.”

It wasn’t until the age of 28, after he was married with children, that he decided to go back to college to pursue a career in ministry. He attended The Masters University in Santa Clarita and earned a bachelors in Christian ministry. He went on to earn a masters in theological studies online from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, while working full time as a pastor.

Though already well-educated, Haynes felt there was more to learn and earned a two-year leadership degree through the Communitas Program at Pepperdine’s Center for Faith and Learning from 2014-2016. “It was while attending this program that I met Dr. Gary Magniofico, who later became my mentor,” he says. “He urged me to enroll at Graziadio in the MSOD program.”

Designed for experienced professionals, the program offers a global perspective on strategic change and its impact on organizational effectiveness, while building multicultural competencies critical to business today. Students travel to domestic and international destinations on three different continents (China; Costa Rica; France; Watsonville, California; and Washington, DC) for intensive face-to-face courses where they gain invaluable field experience at leading-edge businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies.

Now, on a Founder’s Scholarship, Haynes is in his first year of the hybrid program and says the experience has changed his life. “I feel like I have gained skills that help me to be a better servant leader as well as given me incredible perspective and insight,” he says. “I know I’ll be a more compassionate leader.”

After graduating, Haynes wants to continue to dedicate his life to helping others through investing in education and serving in church ministry. He currently serves as a teaching pastor at Soli Gloria Church in Newbury Park.