Savannah Aguilera '25

Savannah Aguilera '25
Major: Communications
Involvements: Delta Zeta, Special Games, Share a Meal, Lambda Pi Eta

When Savannah Aguilera transferred to Loyola Marymount University, she was impressed by the transfer office and the campus’ reputation from her friends. Hailing from Los Angeles and majoring in communication with a minor in public relations, Aguilera brought with her a desire to make a difference on campus and quickly found a home at LMU. “I transferred my spring semester freshman year. LMU just kind of stood out to me because they had the nicest staff that were really willing to go above and beyond,” she says.

Balancing the demands of transferring schools with academic rigor and community involvement wasn’t easy, but Aguilera was motivated by getting involved in things she was already passionate about. “Victoria Martinez with the Center for Service and Action has always been there when I need her,” Aguilera says. “I work with her closely for the Special Games, especially with the week leading up to it.”

Special Games was founded as a day of celebration for those members of the Los Angeles community with intellectual and physical disabilities. Special Games brings together the disability community of Los Angeles and the university for two days of fun, friendship and personal growth. Aguilera’s involvement grew from a booth volunteer to co-coordinating, helping organize the event. “I kind of always went to events like this and I didn't really know that behind the scenes,” she reflects. “I learned that I actually really love it.”

In addition to supporting the Special Games on campus, Aguilera is president of Share A Meal, an organization on campus that is committed to serving the homeless community in Venice, Caifornia. Every Thursday they head to the boardwalk to hand out food and water. “It used to be like only once a month, so continuing making that effort and having a group of 10 or 15 people to go every week is really important to me,” she said. 

As she looks to the future, Aguilera says LMU has prepared her not just academically, but holistically. Her time on campus has been rooted in a commitment to service and justice. “I just like helping people,” she says. Beyond Special Games, she also is involved with Delta Zeta, Share A Meal, and works in the transfer office. To future students, her advice is simple but powerful: “Don’t wait for permission to belong. Show up fully, even if you feel uncertain. This place will meet you halfway — but you have to meet yourself, too.”

After graduation, Aguilera plans to enter the full-time workforce in the Los Angeles area. If she could leave one final message to the LMU community, it’s this: “Thank you for making me the person I am today.”