Marianna Villa
Marianna Villa is the inaugural vice president for External Relations and Partnerships at LMU. Her career at LMU spans nearly 20 years, including her position as the university’s first executive director for Strategic Partnership and Initiatives, during which time she cultivated corporate relationships in Silicon Beach, leveraging the university’s advantageously located Playa Vista Campus.
In her current role, Vice President Villa serves the university as a thought leader and collaborator, with an eye toward opening doors for students by elevating LMU’s visibility in Southern California and beyond. Under Vice President Villa’s dynamic leadership, External Relations encompasses Community Relations, Government Affairs, LMU Radio/KXLU 88.9FM, and Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives. These units, each with their diverse and unique functions, serve to position LMU as an integral Los Angeles institution as a workforce contributor, economic generator, and hub of innovation.
A proven relationship builder dedicated to student success, Vice President Villa has collaborated with the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, the Los Angeles City Council, the Los Angeles Economic Development Council, and California’s 36th Congressional District. Most notably, Vice President Villa spearheaded LMU’s multi-year exclusive higher education partnership with the Los Angeles Rams–the first partnership of its kind in professional sports. In its first year the partnership had already impacted 1,000 LMU students by providing internships, mentorships and in classroom experiences.
A lifelong Lion, Villa earned her Bachelor of Arts in psychology from LMU in 2000 and her graduate certificate in fundraising management from Indiana University.
Marissa Koller
Marissa Koller serves as the director of External Relations at LMU. She joined LMU in 2006 with a background in writing, editing, and teaching, bringing more than two decades of experience in higher education and communications to her current role.
In her position, Koller is responsible for cultivating and stewarding relationships with governmental organizations and elected representatives. She leads policy and legislative activities, as well as external community and stakeholder engagement, to advocate for and advance LMU’s strategic interests. Koller is dedicated to fostering relationships within LMU's diverse campus community and with local, state, and federal officials.
Koller's efforts directly benefit LMU students by ensuring that the university's interests are represented and supported at various governmental levels. Her work helps secure funding, resources, and opportunities that enhance the student experience and contribute to their academic and professional success.
Koller earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from San Diego State University and a Master of Arts in Literature from California State University, Dominguez Hills.
Fred Puza
Fred Puza is a dedicated higher education professional with more than 20 years of experience in community engagement and communications/marketing. He currently serves as the director of Community Relations at LMU, where he works to strengthen partnerships between the university and the broader Los Angeles community. His role focuses on fostering collaboration, elevating the university’s reputation, and supporting initiatives that advance LMU’s strategic interest and align with the university’s mission.
Throughout his tenure at LMU, Puza has been instrumental in developing programs that connect students, faculty, and staff with local organizations, enhancing LMU’s role as a community leader. He currently sits on the Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa, the board of the LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of the Westchester Rotary Club. His work reflects LMU’s values of educating the whole person, encouraging ethical leadership, and promoting social responsibility.
Puza holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts from California State University, Fullerton, and a M.A. in English Literature from LMU, and brings a creative and dynamic perspective to his work at LMU. Outside of his work at LMU, he is a Council member in the city of Culver City, an avid cyclist, and cherishes is role as uncle and godfather. He is also a devoted dog lover.