Meet the Team

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. 

Please note that Marissa is on parental leave for Summer and Fall 2024.

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.

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.

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.

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 buy things for himself.   

Diana.Hadjiyane@lmu.edu 310-338-3005

Diana Hadjiyane, a native New Yorker and graduate of Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry, has followed a passion for the power of retreat-ministries to join the LMU Campus Ministry team. After attending and leading many retreats during her time at Boston College, where she graduated with both her B.A. in Philosophy and Psychology and her M.A. in Theology and Ministry, Diana is excited to see how retreat programs can continue to enliven the hearts of LMU students, steering them towards compassion, community, and authentic relationships. Specifically, her goal is to see how retreats as spiritual spaces can allow folks to feel free to bring forth their truest selves and become awakened to how deeply they are loved. As a member of the Greek Orthodox Church, Diana has served as a Youth Outreach Coordinator for an Orthodox Parish while exploring different pathways to uplift and engage in interreligious, ecumenical dialogue. Her academic and pastoral passions center around moral theology, with a focus on re-envisioning ethical theories to foster ministerial spaces of radical hospitality. 

Beyond her professional life, you can find Diana embracing her Greek heritage in her love of cooking and baking, where she specializes in spanakopita (Greek spinach pie) and sourdough bread. She loves all things philosophy (specifically the ancient Greeks), board games, 80s rock, and building community, and she is overjoyed to be a part of the team!

Allie.Holmquist@lmu.edu 

Allie was born and raised in Long Beach, CA, by two LMU Graduates! She attended Regis University, where she received her dual bachelors in Peace and Justice Studies and Sociology. Allie holds a Master of Development Practice from Regis University and a Master of Divinity from Boston College’s Clough School of Theology and Ministry.

As a student at Regis, Allie experienced an international immersion for the first time in El Salvador. This experience ignited her heart to live a faith that seeks global justice. After graduating, she worked as the university minister for liturgy at Regis. Allie’s personal mission in ministry is always to strive to be and to create brave spaces for all identities to encounter the Divine.

Allie's top interests (ministerially & generally) include: The intersections of sustainability & spirituality, racial justice, eco-justice, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, feminist theology, theologian Elizabeth Johnson, her cat Hugo, fiancé Zach, nephew & nieces, anything Taylor Swift/Maggie Rogers/Florence & the Machine/boygenius, pop culture, the Royal Family, and watching reality TV.

Ramsey.Jeanty@lmu.edu

Ramsey Jeanty brings over a decade of experience in higher education, where he has dedicated his career to creating welcoming, inclusive spaces for students. A native of Miami, Florida and a first-generation Haitian American, Ramsey is deeply committed to celebrating the diverse cultural and spiritual backgrounds students bring to campus. He holds an MA with an emphasis in expository preaching and is currently completing a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy. This blend of pastoral care and counseling informs his approach to ministry,  rooted in empathy, cultural competence, and understanding mental health.

Ramsey has led educational and service trips to Haiti, El Salvador, and Honduras, experiences that have deepened his commitment culturally competent programming. In his role as Campus Minister for Ecumenical Student Life at LMU, he is honored to walk alongside students in their personal and spiritual growth. When he's not welding or studying, Ramsey is enjoying his newest hobby, Brazilian Jiujitsu, boxing, or basketball. He also enjoys standup comedy and listening to hip hop and r&b music like H.E.R, Tobe Nwigwe, J$PH, LaRussell, and Cleo Sol.

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.

Flor.Ordonez@lmu.edu, 310.338.7597

Flor is an L.A. native and proud first-generation college graduate. She is proud of her parents immigrant background and loves to represent her Mexican/Guatemalan heritage. Her passion for service and justice that is faith based and embodied, first came alive when she encountered the sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet. Through them Flor was taught what a true act of mercy can be and how to love one's neighbor. 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. Which has led her to follow a vocation within ministry.

Flor is the self professed office goth, whose favorite colors are black, midnight black and void black. She enjoys a variety of music ranging from Beyonce to Florence and the Machines. She has a penchant for oddities and baking and can often be found making concoctions for the team to try. She loves board games, books and movies and is adventurous with food.

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. 

 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.

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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.