Lupe Solis '25
Lupe Solis '25
Lupe Solis '25
Major: M.A. Clinical/School Counseling
Involvements: Resident Director
For Lupe Solis ’25, a M.A. graduate in clinical/school counseling, Loyola Marymount University was more than a stop on her journey, it was where she lived, worked, and helped others. As a resident director in McKay and a dedicated graduate student, she spent her years at LMU deeply immersed in the residence life experience, building community one conversation, one late-night check-in, one crisis averted at a time.
“Advising McKay Hall’s Residence Hall Association over the past three years has been incredibly meaningful,” she reflected. “I recruited students each year and watched them lead creative, impactful events for their peers. Supporting them while encouraging their confidence and leadership has been one of my proudest contributions.”
Balancing full-time work and graduate studies wasn’t easy. For Solis, it was never just about the degree: It was about purpose and leaning into her faith. She came to LMU drawn to the academics and opportunity offered. The program she entered offered licensed professional clinical counselor – LPCC – eligibility to become a therapist, which was what ultimately convinced her to apply. “After visiting campus and stepping into Sacred Heart Chapel, it felt right to trust myself on this decision.”
Solis credits staying grounded in faith and community that helped keep her motivation during her time at LMU. Finding a balance between a full-time job and graduate classes led to moments of burnout and fear, but the support system she built kept her moving forward. “At the end of the day, I reminded myself I was doing this not only for my family, my younger self, but also for the future version of me who deserves to thrive,” she said.
Throughout her graduate studies, she learned that it is equally important to explore who you are while pursuing your career aspirations. “I evaluated what habits I came into graduate school with and which ones I need to develop further to be the person and professional I hoped to become,” Solis says. “My academic experience was very much interconnected with my personal development as well.”
When asked what meant the most to her during her time on the bluff, she went right to an event that was about helping her residents, a resume workshop day in the spring semester. “It meant a lot to me that my first-year students came to seek support on their resume and job applications,” said Solis. “This specific event came towards the end of the academic year and it warmed my heart to see them all focus on their professional journey while brainstorming ideas of sharpening their resumes in community with one another while sharing some food with one another.”
If Solis had to describe her LMU experience in one word, it would be "transformational." Of the five student EXP pillars, she connects most closely with Integrating Mind, Body, and Spirit. “During my time here, I realized that my relationship with God was important to me and I wanted it to be central in my life. I also came to terms with the importance of working on your overall health and staying close to individuals who help you align closer to yourself, while you also support their journey.”
As she prepares for the next chapter, Solis is proud of what she built, both for herself and for the countless students she supported. While her days on the bluff may be coming to a close, the legacy she leaves behind is woven into the very halls she called home.
When asked what message she’d leave for the LMU community, Solis offered this: “I am wrapping up my time here with a grateful heart for absolutely everything it provided me with and also the experiences that I was able to introduce my family/loved ones to here on the bluff!”