Voices of Leadership

Stories of Leadership in Action

The EdD in Organizational Leadership program at the University of La Verne is shaped by the experiences, voices, and journeys of the leaders who call it home. Our students and alumni come from diverse professional backgrounds—education, business, engineering, law enforcement, healthcare, and beyond—but they share a common purpose: to lead with integrity, vision, and impact.

Voices of Leadership

Allison Leanos EdD ’26

“You can do hard things! ULV is a great place to learn, build community, and feel a sense of belonging. Enrolling at ULV has been one of the smartest choices I’ve made as an adult.”

After two decades in marketing and communications, Allison reached a point where her work no longer felt meaningful. As a mother to a young child with autism, she felt called to make a deeper impact—one rooted in advocacy, research, and understanding. That’s what led her back to school to pursue an EdD and focus her future research on neurodiversity.

The University of La Verne’s hybrid format made it possible for her to balance work, family life, and doctoral study. Along the way, she found more than academic preparation; she found a community. Allison credits the program for helping her learn how to be an academic researcher and for introducing her to peers and faculty who have shaped her journey in transformative ways.

Today, she’s confident in the path ahead. Her message to future Leopards is simple and empowering: you can do hard things—and ULV is a place where you’ll be supported, challenged, and surrounded by people who believe in your growth.

Laura Diaz EdD ’26

“This program has given me the knowledge, mentorship, and confidence to turn a natural drive for leadership into meaningful action.”

Laura’s journey began long before she entered the EdD program. After immigrating from Mexico with her children, she set out to build a life rooted in education and possibility—while learning a new language and navigating a new country. Her goal has always been to be a source of motivation for her children and for other Latinos pursuing higher education.

The University of La Verne quickly became a place where she felt seen and supported. Having completed her master’s degree here, continuing into the EdD program felt natural. The program’s focus on leadership development, equity, and community aligned perfectly with her purpose and helped her transform her drive into meaningful action.

Throughout her journey, Laura found mentors who made a lasting impact. She credits Dr. Byron Schaefer for helping her recognize her strengths during a challenging moment and for reinforcing her confidence as a scholar. Another defining milestone has been working on her first academic article—a process that confirmed her voice belongs in research spaces and can contribute real value to the field.

Her message to future Leopards is simple and heartfelt: If your dream is to continue your education, believe in yourself. ULV is a community that will support you every step of the way.

Gustavo Guevara EdD ’26

“What you learn here applies to any industry. The skills you gain in this program prepare you to lead anywhere.”

Gustavo’s path into leadership didn’t begin in a traditional classroom. With three years of service in the Marine Corps and a career rooted in engineering, he expected to grow into technical roles — until his curiosity shifted toward understanding people, not just processes. While completing his MBA at ULV, he became even more interested in how organizations function and how leaders influence the people they serve. That curiosity led him straight into the EdD in Organizational Leadership program.

The program has helped Gustavo refine the difference between managing and leading, giving him the tools to make decisions that positively affect the individuals and teams he works with. His academic journey has been shaped by a determined mindset, strengthened by experiences in the military, engineering, and his current role as a processing engineer with Louis Vuitton.

A defining moment for him has been the program’s flexibility. During his doctoral studies, Gustavo became a father — and faced personal challenges, including surgery — yet the department supported him every step of the way. Reasonable deadlines, understanding faculty, and a culture of open communication made it possible for him to keep progressing without sacrificing his family or career.

To future Leopards, Gustavo offers simple, powerful advice: the skills you learn here are universal. Whether you’re in business, engineering, education, or something entirely different, the program prepares you to lead anywhere. And with honest communication and strong support from faculty, even the busiest students can succeed.

Dr. Giovanni Trejo ’24

I developed an immediate attachment to the University because of how much care and dedication the professors showed. It truly felt like I was important to them.

With a distinguished 30-year career in law enforcement—including his service as a Police Captain with the Beverly Hills Police Department—Dr. Giovanni Trejo has dedicated his life to leading with integrity, purpose, and compassion. His leadership journey continued at the University of La Verne, where he earned both his MSLM and his Doctorate in Organizational Leadership while still serving in public safety.

For Dr. Trejo, the EdD program offered a deeper understanding of the leadership practices he had applied throughout his career. “My entire law enforcement career was structured around leadership,” he shared. “The EdD program touched on many of the concepts I practiced as a law enforcement leader.”
What truly shaped his connection to the University was the care and dedication he experienced from faculty. Their support created an environment where he felt valued, seen, and encouraged—an experience that stayed with him long after graduation.

Today, Dr. Trejo serves as the Assistant Director of Security and Transportation at Cedars-Sinai Hospital, continuing his lifelong commitment to service. In Fall of 2025, he returned to LaFetra College of Education as a Learning Group Leader, mentoring doctoral students and passing on the wisdom gained from decades of real-world leadership.

His return symbolizes the full circle of his ULV journey—one rooted in community, mentorship, and the belief that strong leadership can change lives.

Charles White EdD’26

“The community here is amazing. You can lean into your classmates and cohort—they understand your journey and support you every step of the way.”

For Charles, pursuing an EdD is a strategic step toward his ultimate goal: becoming a Human Resources Director in the nonprofit sector. The Organizational Leadership program has given him exactly what he was searching for—an approach to leadership rooted in trust, inspiration, and genuine connection rather than command and control. What he learns in class immediately translates into his professional life, allowing him to practice and refine his leadership style in real time.

What stands out most to Charles is the community. The support within the cohort has become one of the most meaningful parts of his experience. Classmates understand the challenges and wins of the doctoral journey, and there’s always someone willing to help—whether it’s clarifying an assignment, sharing insight, or connecting him with someone who has the answer.

For Charles, the University of La Verne feels like a place where leaders grow together—supported, encouraged, and grounded in shared purpose.

Joe Dominguez EdD ’26

“La Verne ignited my passion for transformative leadership and reinforced that education is the key to systemic change.”

In his second year of the EdD program, Joe found clarity in his purpose as a transformative leader. His experience at the University of La Verne has strengthened his belief that education is the foundation for systemic change—and the most powerful tool for meeting the needs of students across California.

The program hasn’t just supported his academic journey; it has deepened his commitment to service. Through coursework, mentorship, and collaborative learning, Joe has been able to refine his leadership approach and reaffirm his dedication to breaking cycles of poverty through education.

For Joe, being part of the La Verne community means leading with intention, advocating for equity, and using education to create lasting impact.

Eric Nelson EdD ’26

Most people show up to this program feeling like they don’t belong. By year three, you realize you’ve earned your spot in the room—and you start seeing all the ways you can lead.

Eric entered the EdD program with years of experience in K–12 education, teaching seniors English and leading both students and peers. Through his coursework at the University of La Verne, he discovered something unexpected: he has far more potential than he ever gave himself credit for. While he continues to serve in K–12, he now feels empowered to pursue whatever comes next—inside or outside of education.

Growing up locally and surrounded by family members who are ULV alumni, Eric chose La Verne for its strong reputation in educational leadership. What he found was even more meaningful: a community of diverse, creative, and driven individuals who helped him expand his understanding of leadership and rediscover his own strengths.

For Eric, leadership shows up daily—guiding students, supporting colleagues, and modeling the kind of educator he would want to work with. The program has broadened his perspective, strengthened his confidence, and reshaped his sense of what he’s capable of becoming.

His advice to future Leopards is both honest and encouraging: this program isn’t just for your career—it’s for your growth as a person. Almost everyone enters feeling unsure, but by the third year, you recognize your place, your abilities, and your leadership potential. You realize you truly belong.