Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology Announces Yakov Smirnoff (EdD '19) and Margaret Moodian (MA '08, EdD '11) as Distinguished Alumnus Honorees
Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) is proud to announce this year’s Distinguished Alumnus honorees: renowned entertainer Yakov Smirnoff will represent the Education Division, while educator and innovator Margaret Moodian will be honored by the Psychology Division. Recognized for their exceptional personal and professional achievements, both honorees embody Pepperdine’s mission through lives marked by purpose, service, and leadership. Smirnoff has built a remarkable career as an award-winning comedian and respected educator, while Moodian is a leading force in education and a dedicated advocate for vulnerable communities, including children and individuals with disabilities.
“The GSEP community is delighted to welcome back these distinguished and accomplished alumni. Yakov and Margaret are deeply respected in their fields and embody the character, purpose, and leadership that reflect Pepperdine’s mission and inspire our students to reach beyond what they thought possible," said Farzin Madjidi (MBA '88, EdD '91), dean of GSEP. "For more than four decades, Yakov has brought joy to millions through his brilliant comedy while using his platform to uplift and inspire others. In the same spirit, Margaret is a model of transformative leadership, devoted to mentoring young minds and advocating for our most vulnerable communities.”
Smirnoff is a comedian, stage performer, and owner of the 2,000-seat Yakov Theatre in the historic Midwestern entertainment district of Branson, Missouri, where he has entertained more than 6 million people over the last 32 years. Since the 1980s he has been a celebrated headliner, attracting audiences from across the country in pursuit of his trademark humor. During his career, Smirnoff has performed for four US presidents, appeared on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and, later, Jimmy Fallon, and acted alongside such Hollywood greats as Robin Williams, Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, and Jack Nicholson on the big screen.
Arriving in the US in 1977 to pursue a new life, Smirnoff used his experiences growing up in the Soviet Union as inspiration for his signature act celebrating the American Dream, with the catchphrase, “What a country!” His perspective and wit charmed audiences and launched a successful career that has allowed him to continue entertaining for nearly five decades. Ever curious and interested in honing his craft, Smirnoff pursued two postgraduate degrees and has given back to the academic community by teaching courses at Missouri State University and Drury University.
In both 2016 and 2017, his one-hour program Happily Ever Laughter: The Neuroscience of Romantic Relationships was named best special on PBS. Also gifted in the visual arts—and a former art professor at Odessa Pedagogical University in Ukraine—Smirnoff painted a 200-foot-tall by 135- foot-wide-mural, America’s Heart, in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The artwork was displayed for 18 months at Ground Zero in New York City, with the caption,”The human spirit is not measured by the size of the act, but by the size of the heart!” It served as an encouraging visual message to first responders, local residents, and worldwide visitors.
Smirnoff received his bachelor of arts from Odessa Pedagogical University. He then earned his master of arts in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania in 2006. In 2019 he received his doctorate in organizational leadership from the Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology.
"It’s a tremendous honor to be acknowledged by the University," shared Smirnoff. "My mother, who was a teacher for 35 years, is looking down from heaven, realizing how much she wanted me to study in school, but I wanted to tell jokes. I can hear her say, 'I guess you can do both! I’m proud of you son!'"
Margaret Moodian is a committed higher education and community leader with more than a decade of experience supporting adult learners. As an innovator in her field, she is known for her student-centered approach, designing and providing international thought leadership in competency-based education programs that align with workforce needs. While a graduate student at Pepperdine, Moodian was inspired to be active in the community. In 2024 she was appointed by Orange County supervisor Katrina Foley to the Orange County Historical Commission. Moodian also serves as vice president of the board of directors for Journey School in Aliso Viejo, California, and on the boards of Chapman University’s Town and Gown and the Makapo Aquatics Project, an adaptive outrigger paddling program serving individuals with physical and visual disabilities.
Moodian’s honors include the Women Making a Difference Award presented by supervisor Katrina Foley, inclusion among Pepperdine’s 40 Under 40, and the Distinguished Educator Award from the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, Delta Gamma fraternity presented her with the prestigious Oxford Award for service, and state senator Catherine Blakespear and congressperson Mike Levin awarded her with certificates of recognition.
Moodian brings both personal and professional commitment to supporting vulnerable youth. Having experienced foster care in her own childhood, she later served as a court-appointed special advocate for foster youth and as a foster parent.
Moodian earned her bachelor of fine arts from Chapman University. She earned her master’s degree from the Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology in 2008 and completed her doctor of education in organizational leadership in 2011.
Moodian credits Pepperdine with helping her shape her vocational path and commitment to serving others: "I am grateful to receive this honor. It means so much to me because it’s a reminder of how far I have come since graduating from Pepperdine 15 years ago," said Moodian. "I’m grateful for the education I received at Pepperdine because it has allowed me to give back to the global community in a positive way. I’m also excited for my son to see me receive this because it shows him that the sky is the limit, and that working hard and giving back matters. Many thanks to the Pepperdine community."
For more news and information on upcoming events, visit the Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology.