Graduate Recognition
Congratulations, Class of 2026!
On behalf of the Indigenous Working Group at Loyola Marymount University, we are honored to recognize and celebrate the achievements of our Indigenous graduates this spring. To each of our graduates: congratulations! Your achievements are a testament to your hard work, your families, and the communities that have supported you. We are proud to call you Lions, and we look forward to all that you will continue to bring into the world.
Isabella Teresa May
Isabella (Chihene Nde Nation of New Mexico; she/her/hers) is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry.
Amanda Cooper Lebrecht
Amanda (Citizen Potawatomi Nation; she/her) is graduating with a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership for Social Justice.
"We endure because we are a community of conscience. We resist because we are committed to justice. We rise because we are social justice educators." — Dolores Delgado Bernal, Ph.D. and Cynthia M. Alcantar, Ph.D., Co-Directors, Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership for Social Justice Program
Natasha Daniels
Natasha (Iñupiaq from Utqiaġvik; Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma; she/they) is graduating with a Master's in Marital and Family Therapy, with a specialization in Art Therapy.
"This degree honors my hard work but also the perseverance of all those who came before me. To my family, my ancestors, and my community: this one's for you!"
Nataly Guerrero
Nataly (Zapotec; she/her/ella) is graduating with a Master of Arts in Education.
"This moment means more than a degree — it's a reflection of every ancestor who endured, resisted, and dreamed beyond their circumstances so I could stand here today. As a daughter of immigrants, I carry their sacrifices, their courage, and their belief in a future they may not have had, but still fought for. To future Indigenous students: you belong in every space you step into. Your voice, your story, and your presence matter. There will be moments that challenge you, but remember — you are not alone, and you are never starting from nothing. You come from resilience, brilliance, and generations of knowledge. This milestone isn't just mine, it's ours."
Tasheena Chalise Medina Chavez
Tasheena (Navajo / Diné ancestry) is graduating with a Master of Arts in Yoga Studies.
"This milestone represents a return to myself — through movement, motherhood, and my voice. It's also a reminder that our paths don't have to fit a mold to be meaningful. To future Indigenous students: trust your path, take up space, and know that your voice and way of knowing are valid and needed."
Seth Saunooke
Seth (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; he/him) is graduating with a Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Writing and Producing for Television.
"As I've developed as a writer, I've discovered that the world is becoming a place that chooses to ignore, exclude, and hyperfocus. Despite our openness to new stories or new perspectives, the powers that be continually isolate and fracture us. Thus, it is more important now than ever to tell our stories. I hope to further that cause through my work and this degree in the hopes our voices can pierce through the noise of our fire-hose culture. To any future Native storytellers, know that your voice not only matters, but is desperately needed. Be brave, be creative, and most importantly: don't forget where you came from."
Isabel Lawrence
Isabel (Genízaro family of New Mexico; she/her/hers) is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in History, with minors in Women's and Gender Studies and Classics and Archaeology.
"I come from a genízaro family of New Mexico, and while we don't know the exact tribe from which we originate, it has not stopped me from feeling included in this community. I am still Indigenous, and I am still Latina. This milestone of graduating with my BA in History and moving on to work towards an MA in Public History means a great deal to me and my family."