05/14/2026
🎓 Class of 2026 Spotlight 🎓 Give it up for MyLék McDowell, MBA ’26, who focused on finance and entrepreneurship. 👏
What will you remember most about your time at LMU?
I will remember the people, the growth, and the way LMU challenged me to see myself differently. My time here pushed me academically, professionally, and personally, but it also gave me the confidence to lead with purpose. From the classroom to the LMU Fred Kiesner Center for Entrepreneurship and the Business Incubator, and through the relationships I built across campus, LMU became more than a place I went to school. It became a community that helped me refine my voice, my vision, and the kind of impact I want to make. Being named the 2026 Arrupe Graduate Award recipient was an incredible honor 🏆, but more than anything, it reminded me that the work I have been doing to serve, lead, and pay it forward truly matters.
Is there a particular CBA course, professor, or experience you would like to highlight?
I would like to recognize Robert Kritzler, who taught “Graduate Managerial and Financial Accounting.” It was my first accounting class, and he made what could have been an intimidating subject feel approachable, engaging, and even fun. What stood out most was how far he went to support me. He met with me during office hours on Sundays, even during his college football time, and always made sure I felt capable of learning the material. Every time I see him on campus, he greets me with genuine kindness. I appreciate him deeply and am grateful for the impact he had on my LMU experience.🙏
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I am pursuing a full-time role where I can continue learning, contribute meaningfully, and make an impact through strategy, finance, entrepreneurship, and community-centered work. At the same time, I plan to continue building Access ROI, a platform helping students and families better understand the true cost of college before they commit, while also rebuilding Profitable Intentions into the brand and community I know it can become. My goal is to keep growing professionally while creating work that helps people make better decisions, access tangible opportunities, and see what is possible for their future. Through it all, I hope to continue leading by example and paying it forward. 🚀
Congratulations, MyLék! 🎉 We can't wait to see what you achieve next! 🤩
