For Ryane Granados ’00, associate director at Loyola Marymount University’s Academic Resource Center, LMU has always been a part of her identity as a writer. In LMU’s sacred spaces–the halls of St. Robert’s and on the grass of Sunken Garden– she discovered her passion for writing, shaping her future in academia and literature. Granados was born in South Central Los Angeles and attended Culver City Middle and High Schools, only a few miles from the bluff. Despite her uncertainty about her career path, she entered LMU as an English major, relying on her genuine love for reading and writing to guide her decisions.
The university’s commitment to and active involvement with key elements of the Jesuit and Marymount educational traditions, particularly Jesuit Rhetoric—also known as eloquentia perfecta, which is defined as “the good person writing and speaking well for the common good”—had a significant impact on her. While on campus, looking out over the bluff, she envisioned the stories she wanted to tell about Los Angeles.
In 2000, Granados graduated as the university’s first African American valedictorian, marking a monumental milestone in her life and the university’s history. She credits her education and professors for this achievement and was inspired to become an educator rather than pursue a higher degree in law. The mentorship she received at LMU gave her the courage to follow her dreams in writing.
“Having people believe in you is invaluable. Sometimes, others see potential in you before you recognize it in yourself. It took champions of my work to give me the courage to step into my purpose,” Granados said.
After completing her studies at LMU, she earned her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University, Los Angeles. She spent 13 years as a tenured Associate Professor of English at Golden West College. Following her teaching experience in the California Community College system, and recognizing her commitment to writing and social justice, LMU gladly welcomed her back. She began teaching First-Year Seminar courses in St. Robert’s Hall, the very place where her academic journey began.
In 2024, Granados became the associate director of the Academic Resource Center, where she reimagines writing support for students. This position combines her passion for teaching, English, and mentorship, empowering students through writing.
Granados is an accomplished and published author. Named the 2021 Established Writer and Individual Arts Fellow by the California Arts Council, her work has been featured in various publications, including Pangyrus, High Country News, The Atticus Review, Made in L.A., and LA Parent Magazine. Her first novella, “The Aves,” was published in Fall 2024 and is a tribute to the city that raised her. Set in South Central LA, “The Aves” explores the coming-of-age rituals of a young Black woman discovering her identity. “The Aves” won the 2023 MG/YA Global Fiction Prize for Leapfrog Press.
Her approach to writing is rooted in accessibility: “Writing is often seen as an exclusive skill, reserved for a select few. My goal has always been to demystify that notion. While some may be naturally inclined, writing is a process—a verb, an action—that anyone can cultivate and refine.” Granados invites all LMU students to visit her at the Academic Resource Center, no matter where they are in their writing journeys.
