LMU Student Affairs received a 2025 Fundraising and Communication Knowledge Community Award from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), Student Administrators in Higher Education for the Be a Lion Fund. Student Affairs staff received the award during the March annual conference in New Orleans. NASPA is the leading professional organization focused on student affairs, with over 13,000 members on 1,400 campuses.
Senior Vice President Kawanna Leggett, Ed.D., of Student Affairs, shared, “I’m deeply honored to receive the 2025 NASPA Fundraising and Communication Knowledge Community Award on behalf of LMU Student Affairs.” Leggett added, “This recognition highlights the impact of the LMU Be a Lion Fund, a transformative initiative that expands access to extracurricular opportunities for students facing financial barriers. The work happening within the Division of Student Affairs has significantly shaped the student experience by ensuring equitable access to essential extracurricular opportunities and fostering a nurturing, inclusive campus environment.”
Student Affairs established the Be a Lion Fund in September 2023 to support students facing financial barriers to their chosen extracurricular activities. Connecting with others outside classrooms is an integral part of the LMU experience; every student should be able to participate, explore their passions, and take advantage of the full spectrum of engagement at LMU. Engaging with others is essential to the LMU experience. Student Affairs believes every student should be able to participate, explore their passions, and fully engage with what LMU offers.
Be a Lion Fund provides financial assistance to students by removing barriers that may prevent their involvement in LMU’s vibrant student life. Each year, students can apply for funding multiple experiences, potentially receiving up to $500. Contribution can help the division enhance the LMU student experience by enabling more Lions to enjoy all that LMU offers.
Since the fund began, 450 applications have been received to support students in their LMU student experience, and Student Affairs was able to grant 270 applications, providing more than $103,953.38 to support students going on Alternative Breaks immersions, participating in club sports, and attending leadership conferences. The campaign met and exceeded its fundraising goals, raising more than $150,485 in its first year through strategic outreach and storytelling. This campaign’s success is measured not only in dollars raised but in the real impact it has had on the student body.
By prioritizing students with the greatest financial need, the fund has provided a pathway for more equitable engagement in LMU’s vibrant student life. This work highlights LMU Student Affairs’ commitment to cura personalis, or care for the whole person—a guiding principle of Jesuit education. This holistic approach is evident in every aspect of our work, from wellness services and leadership development to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
LMU students have been grateful to receive this funding and have shared how this transformative opportunity has pushed them. An Be a Lion recipient shared: “The Be a Lion Fund has allowed me to push beyond my comfort zone and discover new passions; snowboarding is one of the most exciting. Thanks to this support, I not only tried something completely new but also found myself excelling in ways I never expected. This experience wouldn’t have been possible without the fund, and it has left a lasting impact.”
Alan Pineda ‘25, a business administration major and Alternative Break participant, shared how receiving the funding allowed them to engage in social justice issues on a global scale. “It’s easy to have conversations about these topics here at LMU but experiencing them firsthand with an incredible group and bringing those lessons back to share with our community creates lasting change,” said Pineda.
Another recipient shared how this funding helped them participate in a sorority and a service organization. “As a student who manages her expenses, this fund has allowed me to participate in meaningful organizations, including my sorority and a service organization focused on food injustices. I’ve been fortunate to receive this funding twice, and I’m deeply grateful to the donors who make it possible. Your generosity has enhanced my time at LMU and allowed me to engage in communities that have shaped my college experience.”
Be a Lion Fund is also helping students extend their networks and connections that they can take into their professional careers beyond LMU. “I’m incredibly grateful for the support from the Be a Lion Fund—it has played a pivotal role in helping me pursue my academic and professional aspirations at LMU,” said Angel Cesar Castellanos, a graduate student majoring in entertainment leadership and management. “Because of this grant, I was able to participate in Delta Kappa Alpha, a prestigious cinema-based organization that has expanded my network, deepened my industry experience, and strengthened my connections with fellow LMU students. This opportunity wouldn’t have been possible without the generosity of donors, whose contributions directly empower students like me to grow, create, and thrive.”
