Alumni Stories Feed

Gabriela Gonzalez '19

Position: Race and Equity Intern
Organization: Expecting Justice
Location: San Francisco Area

Gabriela Gonzalez graduated from LMU in 2019 with a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology and a minor in Women's and Gender Studies. In summer of 2022, she served as the Race and Equity Intern with Expecting Justice, a San Francisco based collaborative addressing pregnancy disparities. Her writing on that experience was published in a Maternal and Child Health blog. Currently, she is a 2nd year Masters of Public Health (MPH) student specializing in Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health (MCAH) at UC Berkeley. She is passionate about reproductive justice and maternal health equity.Her career goals include policy and advocacy work related to Black maternal health equity and increasing access to community doulas.

Alo Coleman '19

Position: Business Development Manager
Organization: VincentBenjamin
Location: Los Angeles Area

Alo Coleman,  LMU Class of 2019, is fascinated by the potential of human connection. That perspective shapes who he is professionally, he says: “My  creativity,  results-driven performance, and  passion for people compliment my  work ethic allowing me to add value to every interaction I make in the most  collaborative,  inclusive, and effective ways possible.” After graduating, Alo has received a  business credential through Harvard Business School HBX CORe program and began work as a  consultant and business development manager for Vincent Benjamin, a consulting and staffing firm. Alo assists nonprofits that provide  Pacific Islander and  Polynesian education and resources, and he finds creative outlet singing and writing in his spare time. Sociology gave me the tools to better understand my place in the world around me,” he says. These tools include social awareness,  critical thinking, and active listening, all of which are integral to being a member of any team or organization. Alo attributes his success to the support of his parents and peers throughout his time at Loyola Marymount University. He hopes others can recognize the  power of  human connection that has shaped his  journey, advising us, “Don’t take for granted the effect you could have on those around you.”

Maria Lopez Zamudio '19

Position: Social Media Manager
Organization: First Gen Professionals
Location: Los Angeles Area

Maria Lopez Zamudio, Loyola Marymount University class of 2019, is making the most of her opportunities post-graduation. She worked this past summer at  West Los Angeles College as a  Career Guidance Counselor Assistant in the Dream Center, providing support and resources to community members. In September, Maria was hired as a Social Media  Intern at First Gen Professionals. As she helps expand their platform on social media, Maria is also a full-time student working toward her  Business  Information Worker Stage 1  Certification at Santa Monica College. She says that her studies in  Sociology helped guide her on her own  path after  graduating: “There is no ‘one’ right path, and you need to figure out what works for you.” Maria attributes her success to the support of her mentors and her family.

Bradley Thomas '19

Position: Case Analyst
Organization: Housing Rights Center
Location: Los Angeles Area

Bradley Thomas, Loyola Marymount University class of 2019, describes himself as hardworking,  adaptable, and a lifelong learner. Bradley believes the most important thing  LMU taught him was “To be open to going in whatever direction your  education and life take you.” After graduating last spring, he began work as a counselor at the Housing Rights Center, providing landlords and tenants with information about state and federal housing guidelines. He was recently promoted to case analyst, investigating discrimination complaints in housing  Congrats!). Bradley also facilitates a bi-monthly housing rights clinic in  Inglewood. He says that his education in  Sociology helped shape his worldview: “Those of us who wish to better society and are fortunate enough to be in a position to create change must advance the cause of those whose voices are suppressed.” Bradley shares that his purpose in life is to utilize what he’s learned through his education, his skills, and gift to help positively impact the lives of individuals, families, and communities. He hopes to someday investigate discrimination on behalf of the government or higher education institutions. For LMU Sociology students transitioning out of undergrad, Bradley offers one piece of advice: “Challenge yourself.”

Kira Jatoft '19

Position: Graduate Student
Organization: University of Southern California
Location: Los Angeles Area

Kira Jatoft, class of 2019 Loyola Marymount University alumni, is excited to be continuing her education at the University of Southern California. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Education in  Postsecondary Administration and  Student Affairs and hopes to pursue a Ph.D. and continue to do research in sociology in the future. Kira says she is “determined to help students discover their potential to lead by incorporating strategic leadership programming.” She feels that being an  LMU graduate has made her extremely well rounded and taught her to stay true to her values. Kira accredits her success to her mentors, specifically Dr. Anna Muraco, her family, and her friends. She also believes her hard work and her motto; “never stop grinding,” has helped her succeed.

George Jesús Meza '81

Position: President
Organization: Meza Mental Health Services
Location: Los Angeles

George Jesús Meza, LCSW, Ph.D., has built a comprehensive career in social services since graduating from Loyola Marymount University with a  Sociology degree in 1981. He has worked as a consultant at a variety of early educational and medical entities. George’s consulting work shifted toward mental health and counseling after he obtained his master’s in Social Work from California State University, Long Beach. Throughout the 1990s, he utilized his mental health knowledge and leadership at a variety of medical and social services. George’s fluency in Spanish has also made his services accessible to Latino individuals and families throughout his career. He has spoken about mental health treatment and similar topics throughout California and on both NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises and Univision Communications Inc. networks. George is currently President of his own Meza Mental Health Services, Inc., for which he manages operations and supervises over 25 mental health consultants. His career is a true testament to the potential that Sociology graduates have as they depart from  LMU; George’s passion for social work and mental health treatment drove him along with a  diverse and in-depth career in those areas.