Loyola Marymount University President Timothy Law Snyder will retire in May, ending his 10-year time at the school. He is the school’s 16th president.
Under his leadership, the university created or expanded 40 academic programs, grew the school’s endowment and opened a third campus in Playa Vista.
“Long before I was selected as your president, I was in awe of LMU. Having dedicated my career to Jesuit higher education (this is my 38th year!), I knew something was different here – a spark that animated this community and the global imagination embodied by our students, faculty and staff. My early visits, marked by myriad smiles and wisdom, amplified my affection for this vibrant place, often described (at the time) as ‘L.A.’s best-kept secret,’” Snyder wrote in a letter to the university.
“When I came to LMU in 2015 – invigorated by its stellar talent and immense potential – I prioritized elevating LMU’s profile and raising the value of an LMU degree. This was how we would attract the most accomplished students, faculty and staff. This was how we would enhance our community’s diversity to reflect the full spectrum of humankind. And this was how we would magnify our creativity. Indeed, this is how we now are igniting a brighter world,” he added.
Board Chair Paul S. Viviano said he would work with the board on a national search for a replacement for Snyder.
“I write on behalf of the LMU Board of Trustees to express our deepest gratitude for his visionary and impactful leadership over the past decade. While we had hoped President Snyder would continue his tenure, we support his decision to retire on May 31, 2025. His creative vision and leadership have transformed our great university, leaving an enduring legacy that will benefit LMU Lions and greater Los Angeles for generations,” Viviano wrote.
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Downtown-based Artist Housing, a creative community space for emerging artists, is under new management and rebooting its music production classes and workshops for the first time since the pandemic.
“We’re incredibly excited to breathe new life into Artist Housing with new management and fresh energy,” Kelvin Xuna, Artist Housing’s owner, said. “The pandemic put many of our programs on hold, but this reboot represents not only a return but an evolution of what Artist Housing stands for – fostering creativity, collaboration, and professional growth.”
Its revamped program includes a film production course.
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Ondre Seltzer has been named the president and chief executive of the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corp. Seltzer had been in the role on an interim basis.
“Ondre has been a key driver in our economic development efforts, and his leadership during the interim period has been exceptional,” said SCVEDC Co-Chair John Shaffery. “His ability to build meaningful partnerships and navigate complex economic challenges makes him the ideal person to lead SCVEDC into the future. He’s consistently proven himself to be a dynamic leader who understands the unique needs of Santa Clarita Valley’s businesses and its community.”
Seltzer replaced Jey Wagner as the chief executive of the organization. Wagner left after less than a year with the SCVEDC.
Wagner took on the role when Holly Schroeder, who led the group for more than a decade, left for DrinkPAK, a company she helped bring to Santa Clarita, to aid in its nationwide expansion.