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La Sierra, Marymount foundation $1.15 million agreement expands scholarship program

The Marymount Education Foundation and the university signed a memorandum of understanding in February for the university to receive $1.15 million beginning with a first installment in August under the Marymount Scholars Program. Additional installments will be received in August 2027, 2028, and 2029. The proceeds will help support current scholarships for a cohort of six Marymount scholars who enrolled at the university last fall under a first memorandum signed in January 2025.

This year’s memorandum of understanding expands funding to support 10 more undergraduate students, both incoming freshmen and transfers, for a total of 16 students under the Marymount scholarship at the university.

The scholarship recipients, known as Marymount Scholars, will be selected by the Seventh-day Adventist university and will be part of the Marymount Scholars Program which offers academic and community support including mentorship and professional development training. 

“The work we do adds value to these lives and we are deeply grateful to be so significantly supported in this work by the Marymount Education Foundation.” – President Christon Arthur

The program seeks to assist marginalized students from Southern California and requires that scholarship recipients be eligible to receive Pell Grant funds, a federal need-based subsidy. Individuals in each cohort will receive an average of $25,000 in scholarship funding per academic year. Individual scholarship amounts may vary, according to the agreement. Scholarship recipients will be encouraged to live on campus.

“We focus on transformational mission at La Sierra, which is often about people who have been left behind due to their life circumstances. Such populations are not a priority of people in power,” said La Sierra University President Christon Arthur. “The work we do adds value to these lives and we are deeply grateful to be so significantly supported in this work by the Marymount Education Foundation. Their mission is in alignment with our own and we are truly blessed to join forces with them along this sometimes-difficult journey of helping others achieve their best potential.”

“We have seen firsthand the impact that the Marymount Scholars Program has had on students at La Sierra, and we are proud to continue investing in their success.” – Robyn Jones, Executive Director of the Marymount Education Foundation

“Our partnership with La Sierra University reflects a shared commitment to supporting students who demonstrate both financial need and a strong desire to make a difference,” said Robyn Jones, Executive Director of the Marymount Education Foundation. “We have seen firsthand the impact that the Marymount Scholars Program has had on students at La Sierra, and we are proud to continue investing in their success. By providing sustained financial support and mentorship, we are helping scholars reach their full potential and create lasting change for their families and communities.”

Marymount Education Foundation is a nonprofit 501c3 public benefit corporation. It was incorporated Sept. 1, 2022, to carry on Marymount California University’s mission of transforming lives through access to education. The former 54-year-old private Catholic university in Rancho Palos Verdes closed in fall 2022 due to financial difficulties and declining enrollment.

The foundation and its Marymount Scholars Program furthers the founding university’s mission of effecting positive change and transforming lives through education.
Sue Soldoff, Ph.D.
Sue Soldoff has a long career in the travel industry as president of S&S Safaris. She actively works to support local charities, including Palos Verdes Performing Arts, Las Candalistas and The Lundquist Institute. She has served on Marymount California University’s Board of Trustees for many years. Sue holds a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from UC-Berkeley and has taught at various colleges.
Lynn Marsh, CPA
Lynn Marsh served on Marymount California University’s faculty, where she developed and taught the Accounting curriculum and mentored students interested in business and accounting careers. Lynn has held consulting positions with mid-size and start-up businesses to develop business strategies, improve operational efficiency, develop internal control policies and procedures, manage monthly close and financial reporting, provide forensic accounting services, and oversee audit preparation and tax filing services as necessary. Lynn Marsh is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in California.
Marie-Baurier
Sr. Antoine- Marie Baurier, RSHM, Ph.D.
Sister Antoine is a Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (RSHM) and served for fifty years on Marymount California University’s faculty. In addition to teaching French and Spanish, she has served on the university’s Board of Trustees and worked as Mission Coordinator and as an Academic Advisor. Sister holds a Ph.D. in French Literature from UCLA.
Ryan Alcantara
Ryan E. Alcantara, Ph.D.

Ryan Alcantara is a dynamic, student-centered leader with over twenty-five years of experience in higher education. He is currently Special Assistant to the Dean of the School of Education. Previously he was the vice president of student affairs at Marymount California University where he oversaw a comprehensive Student Affairs portfolio. Alcantara also worked at Irvine Valley College, UC-Riverside, and CSU-Fullerton, and serves as an adjunct faculty at the University of Southern California in public policy and education. He earned his Ph.D. in Public Administration (USC).

Arian Schauer
Ariane Schauer, Ph.D.
Ariane Schauer served as Provost and Chief Academic Officer of Marymount California University for thirteen years, leading the institution’s academic transformation from a two-year college to a university with bachelor and graduate programs. She brings deep experience and expertise in higher education leadership, accreditation, program development, curriculum, instruction, assessment, advising, learning support, governance and faculty development. She regularly chairs regional accreditation review teams. Dr. Schauer earned a Ph.D. in Economics from UCLA with focus on money and banking, finance and economic development.
Caroline Sayers
Caroline A. Sayers, J.D.
Carolyn Sayers is an experienced attorney who represents businesses and non-profit entities in developing legal strategies to support business operations, mitigate risks, and avoid and navigate complex litigation. Her practice also includes counseling and advising clients in connection with a wide variety of corporate and real estate transactions so as to avoid litigation and minimize exposure to risk. Caroline Sayers is an alumna of Marymount College and Georgetown University, and has been a long-standing member of Marymount California University’s Board of Trustees. Sayers holds a J.D. from Loyola Law School.
Brian Marcott
Brian W.G. Marcotte
An experienced executive, Marcotte retired as CEO of Titan Oil Recovery, Inc. and previously was a corporate vice president of public policy, health environment and safety at Unocal Corp., a multi-national energy resources company. He also served as subsidiary president of international energy operations for the Netherlands, Indonesia and Thailand. He served as chairman of the Unocal Foundation. In 2018, Brian Marcotte became the eighth president of Marymount California University. He has also served as president of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics California Pacific Conference.
Father Mark Villano
Fr. Mark A

Father Mark Villano is the Associate Director of the University Catholic Center at UCLA. Prior to that, he served as Marymount California University’s Chaplain and Chief Mission Officer. He has also served as a member of Marymount California University’s Board of Trustees. He has taught courses in religion, philosophy, art history, and popular culture, and maintains a strong interest in film and media studies. Fr. Mark holds a Master of Divinity from Catholic University of America and a Master of Fine Arts from the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California.

Dave
David L. Tomblin
Dave Tomblin is a founding partner and served as President/Chief Executive Officer of Tomblin Asset Management Group Inc., a real estate investment and management firm. He has invested in, managed, re-developed, developed, repositioned, re-habilitated, and managed assets and investments of over $1.1 Billion. Dave Tomblin served on Marymount California University’s business faculty for eight years, where he mentored students in their career preparation. His volunteer work has included serving as an elected member of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District; President and member of the Board of Directors for the Los Angeles Area Council, Boy Scouts of America; Founder and member of the USC Caruso Catholic Center Student Mentor Program; and member of the Board of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Los Angeles.
Rick Edler
Richard Edler
Rick Edler is the CEO of Vista Sotheby’s International Realty, where he provides the framework and direction for the company’s growth and success as a leader in the South Bay luxury real estate market. He has served on Premier Business Bank’s Board of Advisors and as Vice Chair of Marymount California University’s Board of Trustees. He is co-founder of Agent Bridge, the world’s largest network of elite agents, a member of the National Association of Realtors, and has served as President of the Palos Verdes Board of Realtors. Edler holds a B.S. in Entrepreneurship from USC.