Outside the Abraham Center for Veteran Student Success, Diana Towles brings her own military experience to her role as a mentor and advocate. (ULV Photo/Claudia Gonzalez)

A veteran herself, Towles supports students as they navigate the path from military service to academic and professionalĚýsuccess.

At the ĎňČŐżűĘÓƵ;Verne, Diana Towles has built more than a support center, she has cultivated a community. As coordinator of the Abraham Center for Veteran Student Success, Towles draws on her own military experience to guide student veterans through one of the most complex transitions of their lives: from structured service to independent civilian and academic life.

“I love this work,” Towles said, reflecting on the students she serves. Veterans, she explained, arrive with a level of focus and discipline that sets them apart. “They come here with a purpose. They want to finish their degrees, and they support each other every step of the way.”

That peer support is central to the Abraham Center’s mission. Veterans tutor one another, share resources, and step in when someone is struggling. Towles and her team reinforce that network with highly personalized guidance, walking students through paperwork, offering flexible advising, and helping them rebuild confidence after years in a system where decisions were often made for them. “We don’t do it for them,” she said. “We sit next to them while they do it, so they gain that confidence.”

Towles’ path to this role was not straightforward. A U.S. Army veteran who served as a communications specialist, she initially worked in the university president’s office before applying for the newly created veteran services position. Over time, Towles has helped the university strengthen its identity as a veteran-serving institution. Ěý

ULV has more than 45 years of experience partnering with military installations, educating thousands of service members across California. Today, its satellite campuses at Naval Base Ventura County serve more than 430 military-affiliated students, while new opportunities areĚýemergingĚýto expand programs atĚýadditionalĚýbases.Ěý

“We’ve always understood their needs,” she said. “If they’re deployed, we hold their place. If they move across the country, we help them stay on track. That’s just what we do.”

BeyondĚýlogistics, however, her work is deeply personal. She often acts as an advocate, stepping in when students face financial challenges, bureaucratic delays, or even moments of crisis. In one case, she helped a student secure emergency funding to retrieve a towed car, guiding him through multiple agencies to resolve the issue.ĚýIn another, she connected a student experiencing post-traumatic stress with immediate counseling support.Ěý

These interventions reflect her core philosophy: that success for veterans requires both structure and empathy. Many struggle not with academics, but with the cultural shift to civilian life, navigating workplace norms, rebuilding community, and translating military experience into professional language.Ěý

“The hardest part is making sure they find jobs that match their skills,” Towles said. “They’reĚýnot entry-level, they bringĚýreal experience. WeĚýhave toĚýhelp them find the right fit.” Ěý

Despite the challenges, TowlesĚýremainsĚýoptimistic. She describes ULV as an “aspirational” institution – one that continually looks for ways to better serve its students. For the veterans who pass through the Abraham Center, Towles is more than a coordinator. She is a mentor, an advocate, and, as many of her students would say, someone who “has their back.”Ěý

“I believe in what we’re doing,” she said. “I want them to succeed – here and beyond.ĚýThat’sĚýwhat matters most.”

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Junior outside hitter Lauren Gott (left) and junior middle blocker Zacky Coaston earned AVCA All-American honors in 2025 after helping guide ULV volleyball to a national championship game and into a new era of expectations. (ULV Photo/Claudia Gonzalez)

Lauren Gott and Zacky Coaston are the rising leaders setting the standard of volleyball excellence

After leading the Leopards to a national championship match and earning AVCA All-America honors, Lauren Gott and Zacky Coaston now carry a new responsibility: passing that experience forward as ULV volleyball enters a new season with new players.

For both juniors, the 2025 NCAA Division III national finals, where ULV fell in three sets to Wisconsin-Oshkosh, remains a defining moment that shapes how they understand what is required to compete at that level.Ěý

“Honestly, it was electrifying,” Gott said, describing the intensity, pressure and energy of reaching that moment.Ěý Coaston pointed to the foundation behind it. “It was all preparation and building trust with each other over months of hard work and training,” she said.

Now, as leaders, that experience has become the standard they reinforce to the team daily.Ěý “We know what it takes to get there,” Gott said. “Now it’s about doing it again.”

Gott and Coaston are setting the tone early through performance and presence. Maintaining the team’s standard and identity means ensuring new players understand what it took to reach the national stage and what it will take to stay there.

Gott leads with consistency. “I try to lead by example,” she said. “Showing up, doing the work and staying steady.” Coaston complements that with a more vocal approach. “Energy and accountability,” she said. “That’s what keeps everyone locked in.”

Together, they help define a culture built as much on competition as connection. Trust and relationships are formed through early-season lifting sessions, shared time in the weight room, and team retreats where players spend time together away from volleyball.

“It’s a family,” Gott said. “Everyone plays an important role, and we support each other on and off the court.” Both say their volleyball experience at ULV has shaped them in meaningful ways. “It opened my perspective,” Coaston said. “You meet so many different people and learn from all of them.”

“You don’t get this time back,”Ěý Gott said. “Being able to play here with this team is something very special that I would not have gotten somewhere else.”

Gott, Coaston and the volleyball team will be honored at the 2026 ULV Scholarship Gala, an event that highlights student success and raises support for future Leopards.

For both players, who have also benefited from academic scholarships, it is another reminder that the program represents something bigger than the game and something worth continuing to build for those who come next.

For sponsorship opportunities, tickets, and additional details about the 2026 Scholarship Gala, visit laverne.edu/gala.

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Mya Ray brings the same focus to her studies as she does to the court, embodying the balance between academic excellence and athletic achievement. (ULV Photo/Claudia Gonzalez)

As a scholarship recipient, Mya Ray’s story highlights how Giving Day support creates opportunities for student success

To learn more about ULV Giving Day click

To donate directly to ULV Volleyball click

Mya Ray does not demand attention until the match begins. Then, the quiet ĎňČŐżűĘÓƵ;Verne senior takes over, becoming one of the most impactful players in program history.

A senior business administration major and recipient of an academic scholarship, Ray has distinguished herself not only in the classroom but also as one of the most accomplished athletes in ULV volleyball history. Over her four-year career at ULV, she has built a reputation for consistency, discipline, and quiet dominance, helping elevate the Leopards within Division III athletics.Ěý

Her recent accolades include becoming the first four-time All-American in La Verne history, earning NCAA Division III National Player of the Year honors, being named to the NCAA Division III Women’s Volleyball Championship All-Tournament Team, and leading the Leopards to one of the program’s most successful seasons.

“I try to stay consistent and get a little better every day. I just appreciate being able to come out and compete at a high level, ” Ray said humbly.Ěý

Raised in Diamond Bar and Pomona, she was encouraged from an early age to stay active and competitive, Ray explored different paths before finding her own. Though her father, a former basketball player, hoped she would follow in his footsteps, she spent nearly a decade playing soccer before ultimately discovering her true passion on the volleyball court.

Ray’s decision to attend ULV was influenced by the guidance of former head coach Jeff Hendershot and former assistant coach Mario Meza, who coached her in high school and helped navigate the application and financial aid process, leading to her academic scholarship.

That scholarship represented more than just financial aid, it opened the door to an opportunity that may not have otherwise been within reach. It allowed Ray to remain close to home and embrace the college experience. “I would say that the academic scholarship was definitely the deciding factor for me to live on campus,” she said. “If I didn’t get the scholarship, I probably would not have gone here.”

At ULV she built close relationships with her coaches and teammates, crediting those connections as a defining part of her experience. “They’ve always pushed me to do my best,” she said. “They keep me grounded.”

Through those connections, she has grown not only in skill, but in confidence, learning to lead in a way that reflects who she is. “On the court, I feel like I don’t really lead with my voice. It’s more of leading through action.” she said, earning the admiration of her teammates and coaches alike.Ěý

“Mya’s growth at the University has been holistic and ever changing,” said head volleyball coach Randi Taylor-Toomay. “She has earned respect through hard work, exemplary behavior, and, tenacity to be the best version of herself every single day. She has dedicated herself dutifully as a student-athlete every day for the entirety of her time as a Leopard and will leave a lasting mark on all of the women who follow after her.”Ěý

That leadership was tested in one of the team’s most defining moments, an unexpected 3-2 loss to University of Redlands that broke their winning streak and challenged their identity. Rather than letting the setback define their season, Ray and her teammates used it as motivation.Ěý

When then assistant coach Taylor-Toomay told this team, “this is either going to make or break us,” Ray realized that the team was at a turning point.Ěý

They rallied together and ultimately advanced to the NCAA Division III National Championship finals. For Ray, the moment was the culmination of four years of discipline, resilience, and belief in both herself and her team.

“I don’t think I realized how much that experience would push me,” she said. “But it really prepared me for what’s next.”

As she looks ahead, Ray is weighing opportunities to remain in the game that has shaped so much of her journey, whether continuing her career as a professional player or stepping into a role in sports management. Whatever path she chooses, her story stands as a reflection of what is possible when talent meets opportunity and of the lasting impact academic scholars can have in helping students turn potential into purpose.

2026 SCHOLARSHIP GALA

The ULV Women’s Volleyball team will be celebrated for their accomplishments at the 2026 Scholarship Gala on May 2. The evening begins at 6 p.m. with a reception, followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and an evening of dancing at 8:30 p.m. For sponsorship opportunities, tickets, and additional details, visit laverne.edu/gala.

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ULV Chamber Singers posed in front of the historic Kohl’s Fountain at Prague Castle in the Czech Republic in 2024, while experiencing an impactful opportunity performing across Europe and engaging with new cultures in. (Courtesy Clarissa Shan).

Students prepare medieval music for historic church performances while working to fund a $30,000 tour

The ĎňČŐżűĘÓƵ;Verne Chamber Singers are preparing to take their music overseas, but they still need to close a funding gap to make the trip possible.

The 26-voice ensemble is working to raise $30,000 to support an international tour through Germany and Austria. The group is set to perform in historic venues including St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Mirabell Gardens, St. Michael’s Church and at the renowned Peter and Paul Festival, one of Europe’s largest cultural celebrations.

“All proceeds will go directly towards student travel funds,” said Clarissa Shan, director of choral activities and vocal studies. “This helps us get airplane tickets, rent transportation, and ultimately make this experience accessible to all students.”

That accessibility is critical. “If we didn’t have these scholarships, I would only be able to bring people who could pay,” Shan said. “It’s not equitable. This is a lifetime educational experience.”

For this tour, students are preparing a program that reaches back centuries. That includes medieval and early sacred music which they will perform in spaces where many of these compositions were originally sung.

“We’re not just learning notes and rhythms,” said Shan. “We’re studying the history, language, and style of this music so students can perform it in a way that connects to where it came from.”

For students, the stakes are personal. Junior theatre arts major Nathan Terrazas says financial support through academic scholarships has shaped his entire college experience. “It means that I’m able to have an education,” he said. “Without the scholarship, I wouldn’t be able to attend a four-year university or participate in theater and music.”Ěý

After taking part in performances in Prague and Pilsen, Czech Republic, and Bretten Germany in 2024, Terrazas knows firsthand the impact an opportunity like this can have.

Lauren Sandoval, junior kinesiology major, put it more directly: “I probably wouldn’t even be at school. There’s just no way to afford it.”Ěý

Now, as they prepare to step into some of Europe’s most historic spaces, the opportunity before them is more than performance. It’s about access and the chance for every voice in the ensemble to be heard on a global stage. With the community’s support, this tour becomes more than a trip. It becomes a defining moment in each student’s education, one that will resonate long after the final note fades.

Donations can be made to support the ULV Chamber Singers’ European performance tour .

2026 SCHOLARSHIP GALA

The 2026 Gala will support academic scholarships to provide students with access to transformative educational opportunities and experiences. For tickets and additional information, visit laverne.edu/gala.

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The ĎňČŐżűĘÓƵ;Verne Dance Team poses after a Homecoming halftime performance. (Courtesy Taylor Fukunaga)

Driven by passion, creativity, and community, student dancers take center stage in a performance ready to light up the Toyota Arena

When the music starts at the Ontario Reign ice hockey halftime show on Tuesday,Ěýthe ĎňČŐżűĘÓƵ;Verne Dance Team will take center stage in one of their biggest performances yet.ĚýFor the dancers, this is more than a routine; it’s the result of late-night practices, creative collaboration, and a shared passion that brings together students from across campus.Ěý

“We dance for each other,” said team captain Taylor Fukunaga, who helps choreograph the team’s hip-hop pieces. “We train together, we work together, and at the end of the day, we’re one big team. I hope people can see that when we perform.” That sense of unity is at the heart of the ULV Dance Team experience that prioritizes connection.

For Emily Saldivar, a senior and team captain, the upcoming performance carries even more meaning: it will be her final time performing with the team.“It’s not about being the most technical dancer,” said Saldivar. “You just have to bring your passion and your dedication. That’s what we value most. I’m excited to perform on the ice. It’s such a different experience,and to have my family there, my friends… it’s really special.”Ěý

The Ontario Reign performance will feature original choreography and a mix of nostalgic, high-energy music designed to connect with a wide audience. “I think people should expect something really dynamic,” Saldivar said. “The choreography is creative, and it’s something we haven’t done before.”

For many dancers, the performance is also a chance to showcase their own creative voices. Jeniyah McCarty, a legal studies major and captain, contributed choreography to this year’s routine. “I dance because it lets me express my feelings,” she said. “It’s hard to explain emotions sometimes, but through dance, you can just feel it. I’m really excited for people to see what we’ve created.”ĚýDuring rehearsals, dancers work together to merge different styles and ideas into one cohesive performance. “There was a moment in practice where everything just clicked,” McCarty said. “We had different visions, but they came together seamlessly. That’s when I knew this was going to be really good.” Ěý

Behind the scenes, the team balances demanding rehearsals with academics, jobs, and campus involvement. Many members rely on careful scheduling and discipline to make it all work. “It’s all about time management,” said Brianna Valdez, a freshman on the team. “We’re constantly planning, studying in between everything, but once we’re in practice, we give it 100 percent.”

Even with the challenges, dancers say the experience is deeply rewarding. “I joined to meet new people and stay involved,” said Kevlyn Martinez, a returning sophomore member. “But it’s become so much more than that. It’s shaped my college experience and helped me grow more confident.”Ěý

For others, dance serves as both an outlet and a sense of home. “I’ve been dancing my whole life,” said Bre Symone, a recent team captain. “Being on this team gives me a space to be myself and just escape for a little while. It’s something that’s always been mine.” That sense of belonging is echoed across the team, where friendships often turn into something closer to family. “It’s definitely a sisterhood,” said Maylah Chanel, a recently appointed team captain. “We support each other, we grow together, and performing together is one of the best feelings.” Ěý

As the team prepares to take the stage, excitement continues to build, not just for the performance itself, but for what it represents.ĚýPerforming at a professional arena like the Ontario Reign game offers a rare opportunity to showcase the importance of the arts at ULV and beyond. “This is about more than just us,” Martinez said. “It’s about representing our team and our university, and showing people what we can do.”Ěý

For Fukunaga, the experience comes down to something simple. “I dance because it brings me joy,” she said. “No matter what’s going on, when I’m dancing, I feel like myself.”ĚýAnd when the music hits, everything else fades away. “You stop thinking,” she added. “You just perform.”Ěý

Tickets are available at:

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Alumna Adele Jones visits ULV, reflecting on her volleyball legacy and celebrating the 2025 national finalists. (ULV Photo/Claudia Gonzalez)

Adele Jones ’05 reflects on championship grit and lifelong connections as ULV honors its latest finalists at the 2026 Scholarship Gala

For former ĎňČŐżűĘÓƵ;Verne volleyball standout Adele Jones ’05, watching the current women’s team compete for the NCAA national championship brought back a flood of memories. A key member of the Leopards’ 2001 national title team, Jones knows what it takes to reach that stage. “It’s not easy to get there,” she said. “The way they persevered all season is amazing.”

The 2025 team will be honored at the 2026 Scholarship Gala on May 2 at the Sheraton Fairplex Suites and Conference Center in Pomona, a tribute Jones says is well deserved. “It’s important for people to see the athletes who represent the university and how hard they’ve worked to get there,” she said.

Now a personal trainer and co-owner of Fitness by Design Training Studio, Jones watched many of the championship matches at home with her children, often pointing to the screen: “That’s where mom went to school.” The experience also reminded her of what defined her own time at La Verne. “The van rides, the meals, the inside jokes, that’s what sticks with you,” she said. “It was the connection with my teammates.”

As today’s players prepare for what comes next, Jones offers simple advice: stay connected. “Twenty years later, we’re still getting together, still telling the same stories,” she said.

About the 2026 Scholarship GalaĚý

The gala highlights the impact of academic scholarships at La Verne while celebrating the achievements of students and the supporters who help make their education possible.Ěý

The evening begins with a 6 p.m. reception, followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and dancing at 8:30 p.m. Guests are invited to attend in black-tie optional attire.Ěý

For sponsorship opportunities, tickets, and additional details, visit laverne.edu/gala.

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ULV students connect with professional recruiters, asking questions and building relationships as they explore career paths and opportunities in the field of education. (ULV Photo/Claudia Gonzalez)

Career fair offers students direct access to employers and real-world opportunities in education

ĎňČŐżűĘÓƵ;Verne students connected with potential employers and explored career opportunities at the university’s Careers in Education Fair, an event designed to bridge the gap between academic preparation and professional pathways.

Hosted by the La Fetra College of Education in partnership with Academic and Career Advising, the fair brought together employers and students in a setting focused on recruitment and relationship-building.Ěý

For many attendees, the benefits were immediate. Students circulated among booths, exchanged contact information, and learned about potential career paths in education and related fields.

“The biggest thing is networking,” said Eddie Baltazar, a doctoral student in organizational leadership. “The more people you know, the better chances you have for connections and potentially getting a great job.”

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IBC students pose with their products alongside ULV President Risa Dickson, highlighting hands-on learning and campus entrepreneurship. (ULV Photo/Claudia Gonzalez)

Students pitch, sell, and gain real-world experience beyond the classroom

ULV College of Business undergraduate students turned Citrus Lawn, on the main campus, into a marketplace at the Integrated Business Curriculum (IBC) Mixer. The IBC program immerses students in entrepreneurship, guiding them through developing and launching companies, business plans, and marketing products, and driving sales. “This is a hands-on experience,” said College of Business senator and junior Nebiyu Semunigus. “This allows our IBC students to actually have a chance to sell on campus,” said co-president and senior Nicole Singer, noting the event also drew non-business majors. The mixer gave students a chance to connect with the campus community, build confidence, and gain experience that prepares them for professional careers.

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Steven Santana brings energy and experience to the booth as he prepares to perform at the Scholarship Gala. (Courtesy Steven Santana)

The ULV alum brings his journey full circle, returning to the Scholarship Gala to support the next generation of Leopards

From campus gigs to major stages, Steven Santana has built a career on creating unforgettable moments. Now, the ĎňČŐżűĘÓƵ;Verne alumnus is coming full circle returning to campus to DJ the 2026 Scholarship Gala, where his own journey once began as a scholarship recipient.ĚýĚý

The event is more than just another set; it’s a chance for Santana to give back to the kind of support system that helped him succeed. “It took a weight off my chest,” Santana said of receiving an academic scholarship during his time at La Verne. “It made the experience a lot less stressful.”ĚýĚý

Guests can expect a high-energy set built from years of experience performing at major events and sharing stages with nationally recognized names. “I always love coming back,” he said. “It’s my way of being involved and leaving my mark.”Ěý

Long before he was opening for artists such as Flo Rida and the Backstreet Boys or working as an events and promotions manager at iHeartMedia, Santana was a kid from a music-loving family. “My dad was a DJ, so I grew up around it,” he said. “He was the hip hop guy, my mom was into electronic and house… so I was listening to everything.” By 13, he was already mixing tracks at home, teaching himself, experimenting, and building the foundation for what would eventually become a career.ĚýĚý

But it wasn’t until he arrived at ULV that things really started to take shape. At La Verne, Santana leaned into campus life, joining the Campus Activities Board (CAB) and eventually becoming concert chair. More importantly, he started putting himself out there.Ěý “I was just trying to be everywhere,” he said.ĚýĚý

He DJ’d events for free and threw his own shows, helped with campus traditions and did whatever it took to build his name and gain experience. And at a place like La Verne, it worked.ĚýĚý

Because of the university’s close-knit community, word spread quickly. One event turned into another. Free gigs turned into paid opportunities. Before long, Santana was DJing formals, alumni events, and performances beyond campus. “La Verne helped build that mentality,” he said. “Being everywhere, staying consistent, and hoping for the best.”ĚýĚý

After graduating in 2015, Santana landed a role at iHeartRadio as a promotions assistant, representing multiple stations and DJing at events across the region. He went on to perform at major events like Wango Tango, Jingle Ball, and Alter Ego. ĚýToday, he continues that work as an events and promotions manager, balancing leadership with his passion for music. “It’s cool because I still get to be in that world,” he said.ĚýĚý

Santana and his wife, Savannah Santana, both ULV alumni, share a connection to the university that goes beyond the classroom. The two met in high school and continued their journey together at La Verne, building a shared community and experience along the way.ĚýĚýĚý

Now, as they prepare to welcome their first child, Santana hopes that connection might continue into the next generation.Ěý “I loved it,” he said. “If we could make it happen, I’d want that for my kid too.”ĚýĚý

Looking back, Santana credits his growth to one simple idea: you get out what you put in.ĚýĚý

“It wasn’t until I got involved that things really changed for me,” he said.Ěý Through DJing, campus involvement, and experiences like hosting his own show on LeoFM, he found confidence, community, and direction.Ěý “La Verne got me out of my shell,” he said.ĚýĚý

Santana returns to the Scholarship Gala not just as a performer, but as someone who once stood in the same place as the students it supports.ĚýĚý

About the 2026 Scholarship GalaĚýĚý

The gala highlights the impact of academic scholarships at La Verne while celebrating the achievements of students and the supporters who help make their education possible.ĚýĚý

The evening begins with a 6 p.m. reception, followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and dancing at 8:30 p.m. Guests are invited to attend in black-tie optional attire.ĚýĚý

For sponsorship opportunities, tickets, and additional details, visit

The post Setting the Stage for the Scholarship Gala appeared first on University of La Verne News.

ASPA Founders’ Fellow, Alyssa Taylor Lavalle, visits Bonelli Park in San Dimas, where she first discovered her passion for public service and now devotes her research to help develop the next generation of public sector leaders. (ULV Photo/Claudia Gonzalez)

College of Law and Public Service student recognized for leadership and mentorship research

Alyssa Taylor Lavalle, a second-year student in the ĎňČŐżűĘÓƵ;Verne’s Doctor of Public Administration program has been selected as a 2026 Founders’ Fellow by the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA). The honor recognizes the next generation of public servants for exceptional academic and professional accomplishments.Ěý

“I feel very, very blessed,” Lavalle, who’s also a management fellow with the County of Los Angeles. “It’s a huge recognition, affirming and acknowledging all the work and support I’ve had.”Ěý

Lavalle began her career in Parks and Recreation, working with children and local community programs. “I really found a passion for public service. I got to be part of the impact first hand,” Lavalle said. Her experience inspired her doctoral research on mentorship as a tool to develop the next generation of public sector leaders and safeguard institutional knowledge that has been passed down from her mentors.Ěý

She credits ULV faculty, including Soomi Lee, professor of public administration and her mentors across government for supporting her journey. Lavalle will present her research and participate in a panel presentation alongside Lee and her other master’s students during the ASPA Annual Conference on March 21 and March 22 in Hollywood.Ěý

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