Haley Huntington '25

Haley Huntington '25
Major: Biology
Involvements: Campus Ministry, Ignacio Companions, Creare Service Organization
Awards: The Robert Graham, S.J. Alumni Award

For Haley Huntington ’25, a biology major from Northridge, California, her time at Loyola Marymount University has been defined by a deep commitment to serving others and pursuing knowledge through research. She felt drawn to the university’s mission because it aligned with who she was trying to be. 

Much of her academic journey has been shaped by her involvement in academic research. This experience not only sharpened her analytical skills but also overall expanded her horizons and connected with many people in different disciplines. “Just show up,” she reflected. “I learned to try to be the best to me and bring that to the table. The rest falls into place.”

Equally important to her LMU story has been her involvement in service organizations. As a member of Creare, she’s dedicated her time to establish new placements that are off campus and allow members to get exposure to issues like unhoused and underserved communities in L.A. One of the projects she’s most proud of contributing to is her service group, which allowed her to boost morale. “Service work grounded me,” she shared. “It reminded me of why I’m pursuing this path in the first place.”

One of her favorite LMU traditions is the Christmas Tree Lighting, which she says helped her feel connected to the broader campus community. “Christmas is always one of my favorite holidays, hands down,” she said. “The music and the joy that it all brings. It's something that my friends and I have rallied together to go to every year.”

If she had to describe her LMU experience in one word, it would be “transformative.” Reflecting on her time on the bluff, she notes how she was transformed by not only the things she was able to accomplish over the past four years, but also the impact that things have made on her. It brought a more refined and confident version of herself. Huntington connects her journey most with the student EXP pillar Live a Life of Purpose, because she tries to live every moment of the day with intention. She brings this sense of intention to how she treats people, how she listens, and how you care about people. 

After graduation, Huntington’s goal is to be a pediatric neurosurgeon. Her first stop on the way to that dream after the bluff is pursuing her master’s degree in biomedical science. She’s focused on integrating her passion for research to engage public health programs. 

Her advice to other students? “Take the leap of faith,” she said. “The worst that can happen is you don’t like it.” As she prepares to graduate, her final message to LMU is simple but powerful, “You have everything within you to accomplish all of your goals.”