Mia Watson
Director
Phone: (310) 338-5861
Email: Mia.Watson@lmu.edu
Mia Watson joined LMU as the Director of the Academic Resource Center (ARC) in 2017. Following receiving a BA in English Literature from UCLA, Mia received an MA in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Art from California State University, Long Beach. Prior to coming to LMU, Ms. Watson worked at UCLA managing retention and outreach programs for the Division of Student Affairs and the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies. As a visual artist with a passion for painting, Ms. Watson brings a creative spirit to her leadership of the ARC.
Ryane Granados
Associate Director, Academic Resource Center
Phone: (310) 338-7698
Email: Ryane.Granados@lmu.edu
Ryane Granados has always called Los Angeles her home, and she received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University, Los Angeles. She is also a proud LMU alumna having earned her BA in English and graduating in 2000 with the distinction of being the first ever African American Valedictorian in LMU’s history. For over 20 years, she has worked in the fields of education and fine arts, including 13 years as a tenured Associate English Professor at Golden West College. In addition to teaching writing instruction for LMU’s First Year Seminar, Ryane’s experience brings her to the ARC and Writing Center with a wealth of writing knowledge and a background in learning communities that promote student success. Through Ignatian pedagogy and the education of the whole person, Ryane views her work as a significant opportunity to promote antiracist, culturally responsive, and inclusive practices for all students.
Leah Washko
Tutoring Coordinator
Phone: (310) 568-6133
Email: Leah.Washko@lmu.edu
Leah has her BSN from Misericordia University and her MA in English with Concentration in Composition, Rhetoric, and Literacy Studies from Kutztown University. Both universities are in Pennsylvania, where Leah was born, raised, and lived until May 2023 when she relocated to Southern California. Leah’s research interest has been in writing center pedagogy, but her other interests include Shakespeare, literature, tutoring education, and general writing studies. While Leah’s background is medical, she hopes to bring a fresh perspective to Course Tutoring – one full of communication and collaboration amongst students, faculty, and herself. She is open to discussing both nursing and English studies with students.
Natalie Aguilar
Learning Specialist, Katz Family Academic Skills Program
Phone: (310) 338-2847
Email: natalie.aguilar@lmu.edu
Natalie Aguilar joined LMU in Fall 2016, as the founding Learning Specialist for the Katz Family Academic Skills Program. Prior to joining LMU, Natalie earned her Master's in Education Counseling from the University of Southern California and is currently earning her PhD in Human Development and Psychology from UCLA. Natalie is passionate about seeing people become self-directed lifelong learners; she holds over 14 years of experience in higher education working with special populations and neurodiverse college students. Natalie’s research interests are neurodivergence with concentrations in ADHD and Autism, immigrant experiences in higher education and psychoeducational interventions through multi systems approaches for families and educational communities.
Capresha Hawthorne
Administrative Coordinator
Phone: (310) 338-2847
Email: Capresha.Degourville-Hawthorne@lmu.edu
Capresha Hawthorne joined LMU as an Administrative Coordinator for the Academic Resource Center (ARC) in 2019. She received her BA in Mass Communication and a minor in Music from California State University, Dominguez Hills. Prior to working at LMU, Capresha worked as an Administrative Coordinator and SOLAR Coordinator at California State University, Northridge. Capresha's mission is to provide resources and tools for students to accomplish their goals at LMU.