In June, four LMU students traveled to rural Guatemala to co-lead a weeklong entrepreneurship program designed to help women farmers build sustainable, community-rooted businesses. Their mission: to equip participants with the tools, mindset, and confidence to grow and market their organic food production using the resources already at their fingertips.
In partnership with ViviendasLeón, a nonprofit dedicated to eliminating rural poverty in Central America, and under the mentorship of Professor Alex Glosenberg and Nola Wanta, the students designed and delivered a seven-module curriculum grounded in storytelling, visual learning, and hands-on activities. The goal was to foster creative thinking, cultivate self-reliance, and help the women turn local challenges into business opportunities.
Before the workshops began, students Gabe Ramirez, Alexandra Schaper, Alexander Villanueva, and Alexis Wyant visited participants in their homes to conduct interviews and better understand their individual needs. These candid conversations revealed not only the daily struggles these women face, but also their hopes for what entrepreneurship could bring: independence, empowerment, and a stronger future for their families.
Over the next four days, the students led interactive workshops that focused on building a POR mindset – Proactiva, Original, Resiliente. The women learned to identify opportunities, map their available resources, set meaningful goals, and imagine what a business could look like that reflects their talents and values. Each woman created a personalized entrepreneurial plan by the week’s end.
But more than business plans emerged. The program sparked confidence, clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose.
“I am so grateful to have witnessed both our students and the women we served flourish side by side,” said Wanta. “The students grew as educators, leaders, and global citizens – gaining a deeper understanding of how community-centered learning can spark transformation, both for those being served and those in service.”
Since arriving at LMU, entrepreneurship major Alexander Villanueva ’25 has deepened his commitment to supporting mission-driven entrepreneurs – making this project a perfect fit for his passions. Of Guatemalan and Mexican heritage, Villanueva brought bilingual fluency, cultural insight, and strategic guidance to the team, helping bridge connections between the students and the women they served.
“We could all feel that what we were experiencing was very special,” said Villanueva. “Everyone involved became part of a big family that made one another feel accepted for who they are and empowered to grow as business leaders.”
For Alexis Wyant, a double major in economics and international relations, the experience taught her how unpredictable project management can be and the inner workings of social work. It also reinforced her desire to pursue a career in economic development.
“This experience made me even more keen on working in this field,” said Wyant, a member of LMU’s pro-bono student organization, Crimson Consultant Group. “There is so much to learn from social and nonprofit work, and I admire the power of kindness and selflessness that is ingrained in the field.”
Alexandra Schaper, a double major in accounting and finance, was inspired by the creativity and determination of the women she worked with.
“Seeing the women gain practical tools to evaluate their ideas, harness their strengths, and set meaningful, achievable goals was even more rewarding than I could have imagined,” said Schaper. “I’m incredibly thankful for my time in Guatemala and the meaningful connections I formed. This immersive experience broadened my perspective in ways I hadn’t anticipated, and I’m eager to continue building on what I’ve learned.”
