LMU is committed to creating a welcoming environment for veterans and the university’s efforts have been recognized by US News & World Reports. For 2019, LMU ranks number two in the West “Best Colleges for Veterans.” We are proud of our current undergraduate students who have served in the military and this past Veterans Day, we took the time to get to know a few BCLA student-veterans.
Jon Harguindeguy joined the U.S. Navy as an Aviation Electronics Technician (AT) in 2014 assigned to an EA-6B Prowler squadron. He started at LMU in fall 2017 majoring in studio art and minoring in psychology and art history with the goal of continuing graduate school in the marital and family therapy graduate program at LMU. His primary goal is to work with the veteran and at-risk youth populations.
Josh Pedigo joined the U.S. Army in 2002 at 17 years-old as a Combat Engineer. While in Iraq, he worked closely with a counter intelligence unit providing security to the agents on the ground. Josh was accepted to LMU in spring 2018 as an economics major. During his spare time, Josh and two army friends, work on developing Pathfinder, an app that helps users research and plan outdoor trips. After graduation, Josh would like to work in tech sales and has his sights set specifically on Amazon.
Keon Maluia joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2011 at the age of 17. He served as a 0352 Anti-Tank Infantry Missileman, responsible for destroying armored enemy targets, buildings and bunkers. After four years of service, Keon enrolled in El Camino Community College before transferring to LMU in fall 2018 to major in political science. Keon continues to participate in a VA work-study program with El Camino, assisting the student veteran community with enrollment processes and resource referrals. After graduation, Keon plans to attend Loyola Law School in preparation to pursue a career as an Assistant U.S. Attorney.
Ericka Salary is a full-time student and mother of three children. In 2008, at the age of twenty-two, she joined the U.S. Army as a 68W Health Care Specialist and held responsibilities similar to a nurse. She also worked as a Regimental Aid Station and at the Medical Simulation Training Center preparing soldiers for deployment. After over seven years of service, she decided to follow her passion for filmmaking. Ericka transferred to LMU in 2017 majoring in humanities. Since starting at LMU, she has focused on her studies and continued to work on her screenplays in her free time. After completer her bachelor’s degree, she would like to pursue a master’s at LMU for film and television production, work in the film industry and sell her screenplays.
Mitch Chun joined the U.S. Air Force in 2011 at the age of 18 and served for six years as a Structural Engineer specializing in vertical construction. His position allowed him to travel to Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and Vietnam to work exclusively on engineering projects dedicated to humanitarian relief. Mitch currently majors in economics and recently completed an internship with Sony Pictures Entertainment in the Vendor Management Department. After LMU, Mitch is interested in exploring opportunities within the airline industry in a business-related field.