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Meet Your Tour Guide

  Alex Paloglou

tour guide Alex Paloglou

Hometown: San Rafael, CA
Status: Sophomore currently studying abroad in Florence, Italy.
Major: Undecided
Involvement: Psi Upsilon 
International Program: Florence, Italy
Favorite thing about Pepperdine: The sunsets, people, and opportunities to get outside of my comfort zone.
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves: Take risks! We either succeed and are happy or loose and become wiser.
Plans after Pepperdine: Not sure, baby steps now...
Favorite Spot in Malibu: Ralph's Beach.

  Caroline Rooney

Admission tour guide Caroline Rooney
Hometown: Fort Worth, TX
Status: First-Year
Major: Mathematics
Involvement: Greek Life and the Regents Scholars Program.
International Program: London full year for the 2023-24 academic year!
Favorite thing about Pepperdine: I’ve really appreciated the community aspect that Pepperdine really strives to cultivate. There are so many ways in which I’ve been able to get involved in different areas of student life, and I’ve been able to meet people in lots of different communities.
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves: Be open to whatever comes your way! I didn’t expect everything in my college admissions process to work out the way it did, but I’m thankful for the chance I’ve had to attend Pepperdine as a first-year student. There are so many opportunities for new students to get involved and it’s worth trying a variety of things!
Plans after Pepperdine: My guess is probably as good as yours! I could see myself staying to work at Pepperdine for a few years or attend graduate school.
Favorite Spot in Malibu: I love going across PCH to Ralph’s beach for a perfect sunset!

   Carter Lentz

 tour guide carter lentz

Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Status: Senior
Major: Economics, International Studies and Hispanic Studies (Applied Math Minor)
Involvement: Economics Tutor and Faculty-Staff Mentorship Program.
International Program: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Favorite thing about Pepperdine: Community. I constantly feel supported and encouraged by the people around me here on campus, which is such an important part of having a great college experience. Throughout my time at Pepperdine, I've made relationships with people coming from many diverse backgrounds, teaching me how to love those who are different from me and helping me to cement what I truly value and believe.
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves: Be prepared to grow and change! It's alright if you don't know exactly what you want to do or study because you'll have the opportunity to try new things, explore different options, seek help from mentors/professors, and make relationships with people who will push you to discover what you want to do. College is not going to go the way that you plan or expect it to, so just prepare to go with the flow!
Plans after Pepperdine: Hopefully working internationally!
Favorite Spot in Malibu: Caffe Luxxe (best coffee in the 'Bu).

   Cole McDaniel

tour guide Cole McDaniel

Hometown: San Clemente, CA
Status: Senior
Major: Integrated Marketing Communications
Involvement: ATO, Career Coaching Program, Surf Club, and Climbing Club.
International Program: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Favorite thing about Pepperdine: My favorite thing about Pepperdine is the way in which countless different types of people with vastly different backgrounds, passions, and hobbies can all come together under a common set of values to push one another and grow in their passions, academics, and faith.
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves: College is a match to be made, not a prize to be won.
Plans after Pepperdine: Ain't that the question! I would love to work internationally for a few years before coming back to the US and starting my own business.
Favorite Spot in Malibu: Latigo Beach

  Craig Mhlanga

tour guide Craig Mhlanga

Hometown: Nashville, TN
Status: Junior
Major: Finance
Involvement: IFC VP of Community Relations, SGA Junior Class Senator, and Alpha Tau Omega.
Favorite thing about Pepperdine: The people! I have been able to make lifelong friendships and develop strong relationships with the people at Pepperdine! 
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves: Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Some of your best experiences in college will come when you step out of your comfort zone.
Plans after Pepperdine: I plan on pursuing a job in the financial field after I graduate.
Favorite Spot in Malibu: Spruzzo.

  Isaac Bonilla

tour guide Isaac Bonilla
Hometown: Santa Ana, CA
Status: Sophomore currently studying in Fiji and Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Major: Sports Medicine (Pre-Med)
Involvement: Beta Psi Omega (Natural Science Fraternity), Pre-Med Club, Intramural Football, and Posse Scholar.
International Program: Fiji and Buenos Aires, Argentina
Favorite thing about Pepperdine: My favorite thing about Pepperdine is the community we all hold. The professors are just the BEST, they make learning fun. Pepperdine as a whole is my favorite thing!
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves: Listen to your heart, only you know what is best for you. Don't let others influence your decision for your next home. Let God work in you and let Him lead you where He wants you to be. Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."
Plans after Pepperdine: Graduate School and Medical School. My goal is to become a Physical Therapists to a Professional Sports Team.
Favorite Spot in Malibu: Blue Bottle Coffee and Zuma Beach

  John Moore

admission tour guide John Moore

Hometown: Nashville, TN
Status: Junior
Major: Finance
Involvement: Alpha Tau Omega - Philanthropy Chair.
Favorite thing about Pepperdine: Seeing so many friends while I walk through main campus.
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves: When you first arrive, take every opportunity you get to get to know friends, head into LA, and have fun!
Plans after Pepperdine: I’d like to move to the Northeast and pursue a job in the financial world.
Favorite Spot in Malibu: Malibu Country Kitchen.

   Julianna Guerrero

tour guide Julianna Guerrero

Hometown: Pomona, CA
Status: Senior
Major: International Studies (Political Science Emphasis) with minors in Religion and Non-Profit Management
Involvement: Latinx Student Alliance, First-Gen Club, Vintage Church Malibu, Posse Foundation, and HRL Spiritual Life Advisor.
International Program: Washington, DC
Favorite thing about Pepperdine: The tight-knit community and having the ocean as my neighbor.
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves: Busyness is not the same as productivity! Know that your worth doesn't come from what you do. Have the humility to not be busy and make time to call your family! Oh yeah, and don't order your textbooks right away—wait a week and see which ones you'll actually need and then find the free or discounted ebooks/rentals from the library/professors/friends. De nada.
Plans after Pepperdine: I plan to take a gap year to work and travel before heading to law school to pursue my career in foreign affairs or international humanitarian work. 
Favorite Spot in Malibu: Broad Beach with some Thai food from Cholada!

   Katie Price

tour guide katie price

Hometown: Mobile, Alabama
Status: Senior
Major: Sports Medicine
Involvement: Published Undergraduate Research Assistant, Pre-Physicians Assistant Club, Women in Stem Club, Nourish Club, Intramural Soccer, Orientation Coordinator for New Student Orientation, and Student Activities Intern.
Favorite thing about Pepperdine: My favorite thing about Pepperdine is definitely the community! At Pepperdine I have found my forever friends and people I know will be the aunts and uncles of my future children. I also have bonded with professors who will be attending my wedding and will continue to be life-long mentors. Every time I am on main campus, I cannot walk five feet without bumping into someone I know. Pepperdine is full of life-giving smiles and loving hugs around every corner and that is part of what makes the Pepperdine experience so incredible. 
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves: Try to enjoy the college application process as much as possible! Looking back, I remember how stressful application season was. My mom and I joke about how we were not friends during the fall of my senior year because of it. However, your senior year of high school will only happen once so try your best to make the most of it! 
Plans after Pepperdine: I love Pepperdine so much that my plan is to stay on campus and work as a staff member! 
Favorite Spot in Malibu: Every beach but especially Little Dume! 

   Kaya Richardson

tour guide Kaya Richardson

Hometown: Las Vegas, NV
Status: Senior
Major: Psychology
Involvement: I have been a member of Step Team for 3 years and I am President this year and I have been a member of BSA for four years. I was involved in Dance in flight last year and this year I also work at Waves on Call our student calling center. 
International Program: Florence, Italy
Favorite thing about Pepperdine: The sports games are my favorite thing about Pepperdine, there is so much school spirit!
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves: Have fun and take time to explore your options. You have so much time to figure out what you wanna do and who you want to be so delve into the community and see what you like. 
Plans after Pepperdine: I plan to attend graduate school and major for Industrial-Organizational Psychology. 
Favorite Spot in Malibu: My favorite spot in Malibu is Malibu Yogurt! My favorite order is the pineapple dole whip.

   Lorenzo Mars

tour guide Lorenzo Mars

Hometown: Tucson, AZ
Status: Sophomore currently studying abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Major: Screen Arts and Hispanic Studies Minor
Involvement: KWVS Radio Station
International Program: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Favorite thing about Pepperdine: The friends I've made so far!
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves: Don't think too hard about being awkward when you're meeting new people, just dive in and be genuine and you'll do fantastic!
Plans after Pepperdine: Working in the film industry, probably from the bottom up.
Favorite Spot in Malibu: Dead End Beach at night, especially during a full moon!

  Lidia Qaladh

tour guide Lidia Qaladh

Hometown: Pasadena, CA
Status: Junior
Major: Biology with a Sociology Minor
Involvement: Pepperdine Housing and Residence Life, and Beta Psi Omega.
International Program: Fiji Mission at Natuvu Creek Summer Program 
Favorite thing about Pepperdine: Definitely the community! I love how supportive and loving everyone is towards one another and professors truly care about their students. Not to mention how beautiful the view is!
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves: Everything always works out for the best. When choosing where you're going to be spending the next 4 years of your life, make sure you see yourself growing and learning as an individual. And always be yourself!
Plans after Pepperdine: Medical School 
Favorite Spot in Malibu: My favorite spot in Malibu is Point Dume.

  Madison Johnson

admission tour guide Madison Johnson
Hometown: Ridgecrest, CA
Status: First-Year
Major: Biology on the Pre-Medicine track
Involvement: Pi Beta Phi and the Pre-Medicine Club.
Favorite thing about Pepperdine: My favorite thing about Pepperdine is the community. The students and staff alike create a wholesome environment focused on both personal and spiritual growth. I am so excited for these next four years!
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves: Dive in! Pepperdine has so much to offer you. Be proactive and don’t be afraid to start chasing your goals from the get go!
Plans after Pepperdine: After Pepperdine, I plan to attend medical school.
Favorite Spot in Malibu: My favorite spot in Malibu is definitely the beach at sunset. It’s breathtakingly gorgeous and blissfully peaceful at the same time.

   Olivia Hale

tour guide olivia halle
Hometown: Trabuco Canyon, CA
Status: Junior
Major: Business Administration major with minors in Entrepreneurship and Marketing
Involvement: Kappa Alpha Theta Executive Board, and Intramural Volleyball.
International Program: Lausanne, Switzerland
Favorite thing about Pepperdine: The people! Everyday, I feel blessed to be surrounded by such an incredible community. I know I have made relationships that will extend far beyond my four years at Pepperdine.
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves: During this chaotic time, bask in every moment, good or bad. This period in your life is so temporary, so make sure to live every moment to the fullest. Trust in God's perfect plan for you that everything will work out just as it is supposed to.
Plans after Pepperdine: I plan to go into real estate.
Favorite Spot in Malibu: Point Dume

   Olivia Noell Baker

tour guide Olivia Noell Baker

Hometown: Kent, WA
Status: Junior
Major: Political Science and French Studies
Involvement: Black Student Association and French Club.
International Program: London, England
Favorite thing about Pepperdine: I absolutely love the Pepperdine community. I feel welcomed and at home, it is truly a wonderful place. I also love the Professors, it is evident they care about the students and want to see us succeed.
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves: Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, make new friends and have fun. College is about learning and getting your degree, but it is also about building community and relationships. When choosing your university take both the academic and community aspects into mind and choose the place that fits the best for you.
Plans after Pepperdine: Law School. 
Favorite Spot in Malibu: Zuma Beach.

   Reina George

tour guide Reina George

Hometown: Houston, TX
Status: Senior
Major: Biology Pre-Med
Involvement: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (Tau Lambda President), Black Student Association, Office of Admission (Intern), Housing and Residence Life (Resident Advisor).
International Program: Kenya 2023
Favorite thing about Pepperdine: Wait, there are so many wonderful things about Pepperdine that it's kind of hard to just pick one! I feel like a ton of people would probably talk about the great relationships/friendships that they have obtained as a result of attending, but aside from that, I feel like my favorite thing about Pepperdine is probably the numerous unique opportunities that they provide their students with.
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves: Ayo, Prospective Waves! I'm so excited you've decided to consider Pepperdine as an option for where you will begin your college journey! A word of advice for you is: Although the transition to college may be permeated with a myriad of trials and tribulations, do not be discouraged. God has destined you for greatness!
Plans after Pepperdine: I plan on attending Medical School as a means of furthering my education to ultimately reach the goal of becoming a Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist.
Favorite Spot in Malibu: My favorite spot in Malibu would probably have to be Zuma Beach! I think it's amazing that we practically have a beach in our backyard, so that any time we want to go and study, play beach volleyball, or even just relax on the beach, it's RIGHT there.

   Ryan Brinkman

tour guide Ryan Brinkman

Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
Status: Senior
Major: Political Science with a Certificate in Conflict Management
Involvement: Student Activities Intern, Greek Life (ATO), Phi Alpha Delta.
Favorite thing about Pepperdine: My favorite thing about Pepperdine is the community that I get to take part in, both in and out of the classroom. I have more access to my professors now than I did any of my teachers before Pepperdine, which is something I am grateful for every day. The view from my class isn't bad either!
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves: Say yes to everything! (Within reason, of course.) These years of your life are some of the most transformative and exciting you will experience, so say yes to whatever interests you. College is a great place to learn more about yourself, and the best way to do that is by getting involved!
Plans after Pepperdine: I will take a couple years to work—maybe at Pepperdine, maybe not—before applying to law school. After that, I plan on practicing and teaching law in order to stay in Higher Ed!
Favorite Spot in Malibu: There is a stretch of beach between Paradise Cove and Point Dume that I don't walk on nearly enough.

  Ryan Woytowitz

admission tour guide Ryan Woytowitz
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Status: Sophomore
Major: Accouting
Involvement: Member of the Accounting Society.
Favorite thing about Pepperdine: The community and faith aspect of the university makes it very easy for me to feel included.
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves: Be yourself, don't try to pretend to be someone who you think people will like.
Plans after Pepperdine: I want to become a CPA (certified public accountant.
Favorite Spot in Malibu: Chipotle!

   Sarah Beth Lentz

tour guide Sarah Beth Lentz

Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Status: Sophomore currently studying abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Major: Sports Medicine
Involvement: Greek Life (Pi Beta Phi) and Dance in Flight.
International Program: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Favorite thing about Pepperdine: The people!! I love how genuine and kind each staff member, faculty member, and student is and how much joy each person on campus radiates.
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves: Don't be afraid to come into college completely in the unknown. College is a time where you will grow dramatically, and if you keep an open mind in every situation, you will truly be able to push yourself farther than you thought you could go and experience so many incredible things.
Plans after Pepperdine: I hope to spend time traveling the world and then pursuing my professional career in some way.
Favorite Spot in Malibu: Any beach to enjoy dinner and the sunset!

   Sarah White

tour guide Sarah White

Hometown: Scottsdale, AZ
Status: Senior
Major: Advertising, Multimedia Design Minor
Involvement: Pi Beta Phi and CrossWays.
International Program: Lausanne, Switzerland
Favorite thing about Pepperdine: The people! The community here at Pepperdine is really special.
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves: Enjoy the college decision process! It's easy to get distracted by all of the stressful elements of choosing a school, but this is such a unique time in life where you really get to dream about your future.
Plans after Pepperdine: After graduation I am planning to spend a month in Uganda. After that, I'm not sure yet.
Favorite Spot in Malibu: Point Dume

  Sedrie Orantes

admission tour guide Sedrie Orantes
Hometown: Murfreesboro, TN 
Status: First-Year
Major: Psychology
Involvement: Pi Beta Phi and CrossWays.
International Program: Washington, D.C. and Buenos Aires, Argentina
Favorite thing about Pepperdine: The people! 
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves: Trust the process, everything will work out in the end and you will end up where you are meant to be.
Plans after Pepperdine: Grad School for Adolescent Psychology.
Favorite Spot in Malibu: Ralph’s beach or any coffee shop.

   Skyler Danley

 tour guide skyler danley

Hometown: Easton, PN
Status: Senior
Major: Sociology and minoring in Great Books with my Certificate in Conflict Management
Involvement: Captain of the Cross Country and Track Team.
International Program: Lausanne, Switzerland
Favorite thing about Pepperdine: I love the small class size and how every professor really wants to get to know you and help on your journey.
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves: Branch out! Try new things!
Plans after Pepperdine: I'll be attending law school at Boston University next fall!
Favorite Spot in Malibu: Point Dume

   Sydney Packman

tour guide Sydney Packman

Hometown: Portland, OR
Status: Sophomore
Major: Sociology
International Program: Heidelberg, Germany
Favorite thing about Pepperdine: The people! I’ve met some of the most amazing people here and college wouldn’t be the same without them. I also absolutely love being right in between the mountains and the beach!
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves: Do everything you can! College is such a sweet and rare time in life, take every opportunity that you can. 
Plans after Pepperdine: High School Counseling in Low Income School Districts 
Favorite Spot in Malibu: Point Dume! I could sit there and watch the view for hours and hours.