Class of 2026 Student Spotlight: Miah Lopez

Hometown:

Montgomery Village, Md.

Degree:

What brought you to Marymount?

I’m originally from Louisiana, but I grew up in Florida for most of my life. After high school, I moved to the DMV area with my mom after she got a job opportunity in Washington, D.C. Originally, I was supposed to swim Division I at a college in Florida, but at the time it just didn’t feel like the right path for me. Instead, I moved to the DMV area and enrolled at Montgomery College, where I spent about three years.

During that time, my brother passed away, which was very difficult for me. I ended up taking time away from school because there was just a lot to process and go through. Eventually, though, I realized I wanted to go back because I knew finishing my education would help me move forward and build a better future for myself.

I found out about Marymount through my boyfriend, who was already attending the university. He really encouraged me to apply and finish my degree. I also made the decision to return to competitive swimming, which felt a little crazy at the time because I was older and nervous about becoming a student-athlete again. But swimming had always been such a big part of my life, and I felt like it was a chapter I needed to finish. So, I transferred to Marymount as a junior, became a student-athlete and now I’m graduating.

What has your overall Marymount experience been like?

It’s been very rewarding, but also very challenging at times. Looking back, though, I really learned to see those challenges as blessings. During my first year at Marymount, I was still working full-time as a paraeducator for Montgomery County Public Schools while commuting to campus from Maryland. My schedule was very busy. I would have swim practice at 6 a.m., go to work, drive back to Marymount for classes and then head home afterward. It was definitely challenging, but I felt incredibly supported by the Marymount community, especially my teammates, coaches and professors.

Before coming to Marymount, I felt like my life wasn’t where I wanted it to be. Returning to school and becoming part of the Marymount community brought so much positivity into my life. It helped me find my purpose again and reminded me that I was capable of achieving the goals I set for myself. I can be very hard on myself, but Marymount really allowed me to grow, succeed and feel proud of myself.

What was your experience like as a student-athlete?

Returning to swimming honestly gave me the college experience I always wanted. Growing up in Florida, swimming was a huge part of my life, and I worked really hard at it. When I originally decided not to swim in college, I thought that chapter of my life had ended. So, returning to the sport years later was incredibly meaningful.

Being a student-athlete at Marymount allowed me to heal a part of myself and accomplish something I had always dreamed about. During my first year competing, I won Rookie Athlete of the Year for the Atlantic East Conference. I actually didn’t even realize what was happening at first because I didn’t think of myself as a “rookie” since I was older and already a junior academically. I also earned Rookie Athlete of the Year for Marymount Athletics in 2025, which was really exciting. One of my favorite memories was helping set relay conference records for both the Atlantic East Conference and Marymount University two years in a row. Seeing our names on the record board was such an amazing feeling.

Getting to accomplish all of that later in life reminded me that it’s never too late to pursue something important to you.

What is your favorite part about Marymount?

Definitely the people, especially my teammates, professors and the overall community. I can honestly say I’ve never had a negative experience at Marymount. Whenever I needed help or support, my professors were there for me. Sometimes asking for help can be difficult for me, but every time I reached out, I felt genuinely supported.

The Psychology faculty specially had a very positive impact on me. They truly care about their students and want to see them succeed. School has never come naturally to me. I’ve always had to work really hard, but my professors helped guide me through challenges and encouraged me along the way.

What does graduating as a first-generation student mean to you?

It means a lot. Both of my parents attended college for a period of time but never graduated. They worked extremely hard to build the lives they have today, so I know this moment is very meaningful for them. I’m proud to be earning my bachelor’s degree, and I know my family is proud too. I also think it has inspired the people around me. My mom has even talked about wanting to go back to school herself. As the oldest sister, I also wanted to set an example for my younger siblings. I wanted them to see that even if your path looks different, you can still accomplish your goals.

What are your plans after graduation?

Right now, I’m planning to take a year off from school. Working full-time while balancing classes and athletics was challenging, so I want to take some time to focus on work and enjoy this accomplishment. I’ll continue working with Nation’s Capital Swim Club, where I recently received a promotion to overall program director for the swim school while continuing to coach. Long term, I definitely plan to return to graduate school and pursue my goal of becoming a school counselor.

What advice would you give to students on a nontraditional college journey?

Enjoy the process and don’t give up on yourself. For a long time, I felt insecure about not following a traditional four-year path. But eventually, I learned to see the blessings in my journey and recognize that those experiences made me stronger. Mindset is everything. Once I shifted my mindset and started asking myself, “How can this be the best day possible?” everything changed. You’re capable of so much more than you think you are.