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Marymount Education Foundation Commits $5.57 Million to LMU, Establishing Marymount Scholars Program: October 1, 2026

The gift marks the largest contribution to the LMU Catholic High School Promise Program and represents a transformative investment in creating accessible pathways to higher education for local students, rooted in opportunity, formation, and service.

Loyola Marymount University on Thursday, October 1st, 2026, announced a transformative $5.57 million gift from MEF that provides a seamless pathway and comprehensive financial support for local Catholic high school students to attend LMU.

The gift establishes the Marymount Scholars Program, a mission-aligned partnership between LMU, MEF and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to expand access to higher education for students facing socio-economic and other barriers to attend a four-year college. Rooted in a shared commitment to Catholic education and the formation of students as whole persons from grade school through college, the program represents a meaningful investment in the promise and potential of Los Angeles and LMU students.

“The Marymount Education Foundation’s generous commitment to LMU underscores how partners with shared values and a bold vision can create pathways to expand access to higher education,” said LMU President Thomas Poon. “This program will transform the lives of more than 70 ambitious and talented Catholic high school students considering LMU as their college home.”

“I am delighted by this new partnership, which will make Catholic education more affordable and more available to young people in our archdiocese,” said Archbishop José H. Gomez. “It is a great example of what we can do when we work together, and I look forward to a long relationship between our Catholic schools and Loyola Marymount University.”

The gift will support up to 18 new students annually who are part of the LMU Catholic High School Promise Program, a pioneering academic partnership established in 2025 between LMU and the archdiocese’s Department of Catholic Schools. The Marymount Education Foundation’s commitment marks the program’s largest gift to date.

The Marymount Scholars Program guarantees admission and provides comprehensive financial support and resources for qualified high school senior students annually from LMU Catholic High School Promise Program’s six participating high schools: Bishop Conaty–Our Lady of Loretto High School, Bishop Mora Salesian, Cantwell–Sacred Heart of Mary College Prep, Junípero Serra High School, St. Bernard College Prep, and St. Pius X–St. Matthias Academy. The Promise Program’s first cohort – members of the LMU Class of 2030 – joined the university at the start of the 2026-27 academic year.

“MEF is gratified that its support will remove barriers for dozens of local high school students who select LMU as their college of choice,” said MEF Founding Executive Director Robyn Jones. “Expanding access to higher education and creating pathways to help students achieve lifelong success are key elements of the foundation’s mission.”

More than simply financial support, the Marymount Scholars Program enables students to participate fully in the LMU experience and thrive through graduation – with access to faculty mentorship, career and professional development resources, stipends towards study abroad opportunities, funding for technology, laptops, and books, and ongoing support and progress monitoring. Marymount Scholars are offered one-on-one support with foundation mentors throughout their four years in the program – from campus visits to career coaching sessions – setting them up for success during their academic careers and after graduation.

“As a graduate of St. Bernard College Prep and growing up in the Los Angeles area, I was drawn to LMU after taking a tour in middle school and because of LMU’s Catholic values,” said Chibby Obi, LMU first-year student and LMU Catholic High School Promise Program Scholar. “The LMU Catholic High School Promise Program helped make the dream of college a reality for me. Having the ongoing support of the program and getting to know my cohort peers has made me excited for the four years ahead.”

For LMU, the new Marymount Scholars Program advances the university’s mission to educate the whole person in the service of faith and the promotion of justice. By investing in students whose experiences and perspectives enrich the campus community, and providing sustained mentorship opportunities and academic support, the program strengthens LMU’s commitment to fostering educational access and empowering future leaders to create positive change in their communities.
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.