Meet the Team

Peg Dolan, RSHM Campus Ministry Center
Malone Student Center, Suite 210
One LMU Drive MS 8445
Los Angeles, California 90045

Hours: Mon - Fri, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Tel: 310.338.2860
Fax: 310.338.1845

Campus Ministry Team

Campus Ministry is a diverse, multi-faith team -- lay, clergy, and Religious -- dedicated to fostering the mission of Loyola Marymount University, especially the service of faith and the promotion of justice. The campus ministers support the many programs and activities that meet the spiritual needs of our students.

Marissa Papula, Director of Campus Ministry

Marissa.Papula@lmu.edu 

Marissa Papula gathers words, ideas, and people interested in making transcendent meaning out of our lived experiences. She first encountered Jesuit education during her own undergraduate years at the University of Scranton, where she was taught to notice the ineffable in the everyday, and harness the potential of good theology to liberate and transform lives, connections, and communities. She continued her studies at Boston College, where she earned both a Master of Arts in Theology and Ministry and a Post Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Formation. Marissa spent five years at the helm of the award-winning Boston College Kairos before making her way to California to accompany LMU students, and to serve and support the formative programming that invites Lions to “belong, believe, and become.”

Beyond her ministry, Marissa speaks, writes, and teaches about spirituality, community, social justice, and the interplay between the secular and the sacred. Her academic and pastoral interests include Ignatian spirituality, theological anthropology, feminist theology, racial justice, and LGBTQ+ ministry. A native of the Hudson Valley in New York, she is sustained by coffee, hot yoga, Mary Oliver poetry, Brian Doyle prose, and her three little godsons in New York, Boston, and Boise. 

 

 
Jonas Bognar, Campus Minister for Liturgy, Sacramental Formation, and Weddings

Jonas.Bognar@lmu.edu, 310-338-7534

Jonas hails from Orange County, California, and has been involved in liturgy, music, mentoring students, and parish life for more than two decades in both the Diocese of Orange and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. An LMU graduate in Theological Studies and History (Class of 2000), Jonas worked in LMU Campus Ministry as the Head Sacristan and a Resident Chaplain in McKay Hall until moving to Belgium for his graduate and doctoral studies in Theology and Church History at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. After 12 years abroad, he has rejoined Campus Ministry, working on the Liturgy Team, assisting with Faith Formation in the RCIA and Confirmation programs, and serving as a Resident Minister.

Jonas Bognar
Chris de Silva, D.Min., Interim ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF CAMPUS MINISTRY

Christopher.deSilva@lmu.edu, 310.338.2976

Chris de Silva is a widely published composer of sacred music whose music appears in hymnals and compilations throughout the world. A native of Singapore, he currently resides in Los Angeles where he enjoys serving as music minister on the campus ministry team. Chris holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Composition and Film Scoring from the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, a Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology from Loyola Marymount University and a Doctor of Ministry from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. In addition to his role in Campus Ministry, Chris also lectures in the Department of Theological Studies at LMU.

Chris de Silva

Fr. John Galvan, S.J., Campus Minister for Weddings, Worship, and Latinx Outreach

John.Galvan@lmu.edu, 310.338.2862

Fr. John oversees the wedding ministry at LMU, guiding and assisting those couples who wish to celebrate their nuptials in one of our chapels on the Westchester campus. Another facet of his work as campus minister is providing outreach to the Latinx community at LMU. Fr. John joined the Jesuit order in San Juan, Puerto Rico where he completed his novitiate studies. Afterwards, he earned his degree in philosophy from the Instituto de Filosofía in Guadalajara, Mexico and his Master’s in Divinity from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley California. He has completed other studies in Ignatian spirituality in Salamanca and Manresa Spain. Previous work experiences include working with Jesuit Refugee Services as a chaplain at immigration detention facilities, as associate pastor in parishes in San Diego, California and Portland, Oregon and as an instructor in Ignatian spirituality at Loyola Institute of Spirituality in Orange, California. Fr. John enjoys reading books on the Classics, history, as well as novels from a wide range of authors. Other interests include movies and binge watching on TV.

Will Gish, Senior Administrative Coordinator

William.Gish@lmu.edu 

Will is a LMU alum (MFA '15) who comes to Campus Ministry from the Marymount Institute for Faith, Culture, and the Arts, where he worked on events and publishing. Previous to that, he was a member of the Research and Educational Technology Services & Support team in ITS. He earned his BA from the University of Massachuetts, Amherst, with a year spent abroad at Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan. Will is an avid reader, cinephile, and music lover who spends most of his free time with his kids, who he frequently takes to the local comic store so he can secretly buy things for himself.   

 
Susan Kadota, Campus Minister for Global/Local Faith Based Service  

Susan.kadota@lmu.edu, 310.338.7160

Susan received her MA in Pastoral Theology from LMU and is proud to now serve the LMU community by offering students different opportunities for faith-based service such as De Colores, Feed the Hungry, etc.  Susan grew up in Orange County, California and majored in linguistics at UCLA.  She served for 2 ½ years as a missioner in El Salvador and learned about St. Oscar Romero and the Jesuit martyrs and started her commitment to Ignatian Spirituality and Social Justice.  She has also worked for Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Charities, Orange County in Immigration legal services and as a volunteer at her Catholic parish.  She is committed to building bridges to foster connection and solidarity and is blessed to be doing this with LMU students now!!

Campus Minister Susan Kadota - Meet the Team 
Sr. Maria Lai, C.S.J., Campus Minister for Graduate Student Ministry

Maria.Lai@lmu.edu, 310.338.6475

Sister Maria is called to journey with our graduate students at LMU. She is also a Spiritual Director, a Resident Minister, an adjunct instructor for the Theology of Ignatian Leadership course at LMU, as well as for the Catechist Certification Course for the Diocese of Orange. Sister Maria is originally from Hong Kong. She earned an MA in Pastoral Theology from Loyola Marymount University, an MA in Learning Technologies from Pepperdine University, and an MS in Family Consumer Sciences from California State University, Northridge. Most of all, Sister Maria enjoys being a mentor for and learning from the survivors of human trafficking. She loves people and organizes pilgrimages.

Campus Minister for Graduate Ministry 
Joshua Mayfield, Campus Minister for The Well

Joshua.Mayfield@lmu.edu, 310.338.3005

Josh currently oversees The Well. Originally from Southern California, Josh earned his B.B.A. in Business Administration and Marketing from LMU in 2016. During his time as a student, he was involved in many of Campus Ministry’s programs. Upon graduation, Josh served as a post-grad volunteer in Juneau, Alaska with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest (JVC NW). During that year, he served as a mentor providing ongoing support and outreach service for high school-aged youth. He also served as a teacher for the Reconnecting Youth (RY) program at Juneau Douglass High School. After his year of service, Josh went on to earn his MA in Theology and Ministry from Boston College while also serving as an Admissions Graduate Assistant. Josh is excited to be back on campus!

Faith and Justice 
Flor I. Ordoñez, Coordinator of Liturgy and Worship

Flor.Ordonez@lmu.edu, 310.338.7597

Flor is an L.A. native and proud first-generation college graduate. In her role as Coordinator of Liturgy and Worship, she serves as a member of the Liturgy team to support the planning efforts of our campus-wide liturgies, as well as assists in the formation of our student liturgical ministers. Flor graduated from Mount Saint Mary's University in Los Angeles where she earned a B.A. in Fine Arts. During her time as an undergraduate, she was heavily involved in a variety of their campus ministry programs. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, creating art, and enjoying nature.

Coordinator of Liturgy and Worship 
Kienan Taweil, Coordinator for Muslim Student Life and Interfaith Initiatives

Kienan.Taweil@lmu.edu, 310.338.5390

Kienan Taweil earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Loyola Marymount University in 2019. During his time as a student, he was Co-Founder and Co-President of LMU’s Muslim Student Association. Prior to his current role as Coordinator for Muslim Student Life and Interfaith Initiatives, he served as a student Program Assistant in the newly established office. Kienan works to promote the faith formation of the Muslim students on campus through Islamic pastoral support. He also develops programs that promote spiritual growth, personal development, diversity, leadership, interfaith understanding, and community involvement. He leads weekly Friday-Jummah Prayer services on campus and regularly engages in interfaith work. Coming from a multi-ethnic and multi-faith family inspires Kienan to promote interfaith dialogue built on understanding and love for our neighbors. In his free time, Kienan enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and watching movies. A Los Angeles native of Syrian and Hungarian heritage, Kienan is also an avid reader who enjoys reading about politics, history, and theology. 

Kienan Taweil
Rev. Fr. Manh Tran, S.J., Campus Minister for RCIA and Catechesis

Manh.Tran@lmu.edu, 310.258.5486

Fr. Manh oversees the retreat program. He migrated to the U.S. from Vietnam when he was fourteen. Since then, he has lived in Southern California until he joined the Jesuits in 1993. After being ordained in 2004, he has been working in the Campus Ministry Office in four different universities--Loyola Marymount University, Santa Clara University, the Newman Center at UC San Diego, and St. Paul’s Catholic Student Center in Idaho. In all four places, his main ministry was to form missionary disciples and train servant leaders through the Christian Life Community.

He enjoys jogging, hiking, biking, playing guitar, hanging out with friends, and watching movies.

Fr. Manh Tran Profile
Victoria Zobrist, Campus Minister for Christian Life Communities 

 Victoria.Zobrist@lmu.edu, 310.338.5225

Victoria oversees the Christian Life Community (CLC) small faith sharing group program and assists with Campus Ministry retreats. Victoria grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona. She attended the University of San Diego for her undergraduate studies, where she earned a BA in Theology and Religious Studies, with minors in Catholic Studies and Philosophy. Victoria also attended Boston College, where she received her MA in Theological Studies, with an emphasis in Historical-Systematic theology. She cites Boston College as the place where she developed her love of Ignatian Spirituality and her desire to minister to students in higher education. Prior to LMU, Victoria worked at a university in Omaha, Nebraska, where she served as the Director of Campus Ministry and an adjunct theology professor.

Victoria Zobrist
Rabbi Zachary Zysman, Campus Minister for Jewish Student Life and Hillel

Zachary.Zysman@lmu.edu, 310.568.6131

Since 2002, Rabbi Zachary Zysman has dedicated his life to Jewish education. He holds an undergraduate degree in child and adolescent development from San Francisco State University and a master’s degree in human development from Pacific Oaks College.

Zysman also has two additional master’s degrees in Hebrew letters and Jewish Education from Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles, the same location where he received his rabbinic ordination in May 2016.

Rabbi Zysman