Brandon Bazile '25

Brandon Bazile '25
Major: Computer Science
Involvements: Student Worker Program, National Society of Black Engineers, African Student Association, Black Student Union, Association for Computing Machinery
Awards: Raymunde McKay, R.S.H.M. Award

Brandon Bazile ’25, a computer science major from Hercules, California, did not have the typical campus tour due to COVID-19 restrictions, but knew that he wanted to be close to friends and live in an area he would enjoy. Once he arrived at Loyola Marymount University, he knew the journey would be about more than just academics. It would be about finding his people, his purpose, and his voice. “I think when I first got here, I was struggling a little bit to find my people,” said Bazile. “I started to get involved. People started to ask, ‘I haven't seen you at this meeting.’ The university really does put a big emphasis on creating these spaces for diverse groups of people to come together and learn about each other.” Four years later, he’s leaving LMU as a leader and a future educator, proud of the community he helped shape and the lessons he’s taking with him.

Drawn to LMU from his background at his Catholic high school, Bazile saw college as an investment not just in his future career, but in himself. “I wanted to be close to people I knew and in the area that I knew I'd enjoy. That was my reason for coming, but I think since being here, I've liked it more than my reasons for coming.” The search in finding community led him to the heart of LMU’s student life.

Involvement became the key to belonging. Bazile dove into student organizations that aligned with his values and identity: National Society of Black Engineers; African Student Association; Black Student Union; Association for Computing Machinery; and even being a student leader of the Student Work Program. These experiences were more than extracurricular, they were foundational to his time at LMU. “I think extracurriculars are equally as important as focusing on your schoolwork. You come to college to be around people who are like-minded. I got involved because I wanted to understand myself more and I think you can do that by meeting people who are like you,” he says. Where he found the group to be most proud of during his time at LMU, was his involvement in the Student Work Program. “To be able to lead that team of 25 students, is what I feel pretty proud of.” 

When asked which of the Student EXP pillars best reflects his journey, Bazile points to Integrate Mind, Body, and Spirit. “Before coming to LMU, it was during COVID. I feel like I was neglecting my body, maybe neglecting my spirit, and stuck in my mind,” he reflects. “Coming out of that, coming into college and re-exploring myself, I understood that it's important to take care of all parts of yourself. If you do that, in my opinion, I think you can better follow the other four pillars.” Brandon is on a lifelong journey of following all five pillars and being on a path of interdisciplinary studies.

After graduation, Bazile plans to relocate to Miami, Florida, to be a full-time educator for the nonprofit Hidden Genius Project, where he was once a mentee in high school. No matter where he goes, the values he found at LMU will remain his compass. His advice for future students? “Get involved in everything.” He hopes his journey shows others that it’s possible to build community and lead with purpose. “This campus is so beautiful, the people here are beautiful. I don't want the school to lose its energy, vibrancy or diversity.”