Mission
We want to make Pepperdine the place to be!
The Student Programming Board is a committee of appointed Pepperdine students dedicated to bringing students together by planning, organizing, and executing events for the Pepperdine community.
Goals
To be intentional in looking for what students want, and then implementing it.
To draw the entire Pepperdine community and be inclusive, reaching out to all students.
To serve the Pepperdine community with an unprecedented level of morale, pride, energy and stewarding of a comprehensive program of social and recreational events.
To provide events that foster community within the Pepperdine student population.
To cultivate an atmosphere of fun in events for the students.
To create events that are of purpose and meaning.
To work together with other student organizations.
How We Do It
The Student Programming Board puts on events where everyone is welcome! Some of those events you might have already been to include Coffeehouse, ReelStories Film Festival, and Blue and Orange Madness. We pride ourselves on creating great events for the students by the students, with no additional cost..so keep an eye out for our email newsletters coming to you every other week to stay up to date with all things Board!
We're also always looking for new ideas and/or feedback so if you want to let us know about something, go ahead and submit it on our Contact page!
*See FAQ page for explanation on why you can leave your wallet at home when you come to our events.
Check Out Our Recent Events
Whatās New
Allow Us to Introduce Ourselves - Meet the 24-25 Board!
Who we have on board.
ā Administrative & Special Projects ā
Carissa Wu
Born and raised in Southern California, Carissa is a third-year Finance major with a minor in Marketing. She loves being involved on campus - beyond the Board, you can find her checking resumes at the Career Center, working at the Pepperdine Investment Office, actively recruiting underclassmen to join Delta Sigma Pi, and raving about her experience abroad in Washington DC. Carissa is excited to bring her fun energy and type A personality to the Admin and Special Projects Committee to support and help the team maximize its full potential.
Nick Susino
Itās Nick! Nickās an International Business Major spending his Senior Year on the Administration Team for the Board. Nick is from northern New Jersey and loves spending time far from home, in beautiful Southern California. When he is not working for The Board, you can find Nick performing with the Jazz and Wind Ensembles on campus, or spending time with friends. Nick looks forward to serving on The Board, and if you see him, feel free to say, āHiā because heāll talk for hours.
ā Event Committees ā
Brooke Bakken
Brooke Bakken is a senior public relations major who loves all things events! She grew up in rural Wisconsin where she learned the value of hard work and being there for others. Striving to be a wedding planner someday, she is so excited to gain event planning experience with the Board. Outside of the Board, you can find her running for Pepperdine on the track or a cross-country course. If sheās not there, check the dance floor.
Kyla Randle
This is Kyla Randle! She was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. She is a junior at Pepperdine University majoring in Political Science and History. As a child, she has been very active in community service and enjoys helping and supporting others. While attending Pepperdine University, her commitment of service has allowed her to join and hold positions in numerous clubs including being Vice President of the Black Student Association. In her free time, she enjoys playing the piano, traveling, reading, and spending time with family and friends. This is Kylaās first year on the Board as an Event Planner. She looks forward to being behind the scenes of planning and hosting events and most importantly, being able to engage with students and the vibrant Pepperdine community.
Brantley Holladay
This is Brantley Holladay! She is a Nashville, Tennessee native majoring in IMC with a minor in entrepreneurship. She is so excited to be an event planner on the Board this year to help students find community through fun activities on beautiful Pepperdineās campus. Outside of the Board, Brantley enjoys exploring new cities, trying new foods, being outside, hanging out with her friends, and watching sunsets on the beach.
Caitlyn Garcia
Meet Caitlyn!- Born and raised in the South Bay is a third-year student double majoring in Film and Public Relations! This year she is excited to be part of The Boardās Event Planning Committee with Camille. In her free time, she enjoys being outside, especially going to the beach, with friends, watching movies and sports, trying new food, arts & crafts, and traveling! ( I highly recommend visiting JAPAN) Caitlyn looks forward to planning fun and memorable events on campus for every student! She canāt wait to catch you at our next event!
Kayleigh Borowski
Meet Kayleigh! She is eager to begin this school year as her first year with the Board. Kayleigh is a senior Psychology major with minors in Hispanic Studies and Writing. She grew up in a small beach town in New Jersey and loves that she is still close to the beach at Pepperdine. Kayleigh loves spending time with people she loves, swimming at the Pepperdine pool, and when at home, being with her dog! She canāt wait for this year and is grateful to serve the Pepperdine community in this capacity!
Camille Tesoro-Rarangol
This is Camille! Camille is a Junior studying psychology on the pre-med track āBorn and raised on the beautiful island of Oahu. You can find her sipping on a cup of coffee (or the occasional chai or matcha), enjoying beach bonfires or dancing with friends. Camille also loves watching the sun rise and the sun set and canāt make up her mind which one she loves the most. She spent the last semester studying abroad in Switzerland, exploring new places and experiencing new cultures, but sheās beyond thrilled to be back in Malibu, serving on the Board this year, and is absolutely excited to be planning the Reels Stories Film Festival with Caitlyn!
AnaSofia Palmeros
This is AnaSofia. Raised in Houston Texas. She is a fourth year student at Pepperdine majoring in International Studies with a concentration in Global Politics. She spent the last year at Pepperdineās Switzerland Aboard Program but is excited to finish her last year on the Malibu campus. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking and going to the beach with her friends.
Nyah Fernandez
Meet Nyah Fernandez, a junior at Pepperdine University majoring in Communication with a minor in Public Health. She is from Los Angeles, California, and is thrilled to join the Board as an event planner this year. Her goal is to infuse the campus with smiles, laughter, and joy through vibrant events that foster friendships and create memorable experiences. When Nyah isnāt busy planning exciting campus activities, youāll likely find her enjoying the beach, dancing to her favorite tunes, or spending quality time with family and friends. A passionate traveler, Nyah seizes every opportunity to explore new places and embrace the worldās wonders.
ā Marketing ā
Mason
Meet Mason! Mason is a sophomore with a 3/2 engineering major from LA. Heās excited to be on the marketing committee this year and looks forward to bringing more people to their events. When heās not working with the committee, heās brainstorming for the next Pepperdine Fashion Association fashion show. In his free time, Mason plans photoshoots and frequently switches up his hairstyle.
Emilia Lekhter
Hello! Emilia Lekhter, born and raised in San Diego, CA, is a fourth-year Psychology major with a double minor in Hispanic studies and Multimedia design. Aside from the Board, she is involved in Pepperdineās dance company Dance in Flight (DIF) along with our GSA. Outside of Pepperdine, Emilia loves to slackline, make jewelry, and hang out with friends by the beach. Emilia canāt wait to bring her fun and bright energy to the Marketing team this year, excited for the intersection of her passions for community building and the arts.
Julia Johnson
Julia is a senior physics major with a great books minor, returning to the Board as a part of the Marketing team. Since being a kid, Julia frequented the mountains throughout her home state, Washington; sheās loved to read books for just as long. Julia finds joy in an array of activities and hobbies, including photography, music, event planning, and backpacking. The spaces and beautiful memories created by events and the collaborative efforts that bring them to fruition are a passion of Juliaās, whether as a part of the Board or otherwise. She looks forward to the unique experiences of each Board event this year.
Hailey Emmons
Itās Hailey Emmons!! Originally from Paonia, CO now in Linden, CA, Hailey is a senior Art major with a minor in Multimedia Design. She is always involved with something on campus including the Beacon and multiple branches of the HUB of Spiritual Life. Hailey loves concerts, going to art museums, reading, and laughing way too loud during quiet hours with her besties. She claims that every song is her favorite song and plays too many instruments to count. With her love of all things art, it makes sense that Hailey is one of the four people on the Marketing team and she canāt wait for amazing work her and the team will do for the Pepperdine community.
ā Graduate Assistant &
Supervisor ā
Darnell Parker II
Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Darnell Parker II is the Graduate Assistant for the Board while pursuing his MBA. He is passionate about helping others, especially Board members, bring their ideas to life. Darnell holds both a Masterās and Bachelorās in Architecture, along with a Masterās in Urban and Regional Planning, all from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. This is his first year with the Board, and he has been enjoying the experience so far. The opportunity to encourage spiritual development and character building is what he lives for.
Lou Chan
Lou is super into puns, speaks fluent Google Cal, got both her Bachelorās and Masterās at Pepperdine (#neverleaving?), and organizing channels on Slack is just one of her favorite pastimes. Itās round seven for Lou being part of our Board fam - Grad Assistant her first year and now the Supervisor and Assistant Director of Student Activities, so you could say she ~graduated~ into her new role :) (remember that note about the puns?) Even in her free time, she truly lo(u)ves all things event planning, most recently showcased by her recent wedding and marriage to husband, Nate - as Pepperdine sweethearts at that!
ā Event Committees ā
Blue and Orange Madness (Friday, OCT. 4, 2024): Kayleigh + Brantley
Winter Wonderland (Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024): Brooke + Nyah
ReelStories Film Festival (Friday, jan. 31, 2025): Caitlyn + Camille
Pacific Sounds: music + Arts Festival (saturday, mar. 22, 2025): AnaSofia + Kyla
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do I have to pay to attend Board events?
A. Most Board events have no additional cost, because they are funded by a portion of the Campus Life Fee. Every Seaver Undergraduate student pays this fee each semester. Unless otherwise noted, all you need is your student ID and Peppervine QR code* to join the fun!
Moral of the story: youāve already paid so get involved! Whether thatās by coming to Board events, joining student organizations, working with SGA to better the campus, or enjoying health and wellness programming put on by SWAB.
*Peppervine is new and improved! Not sure if you have your Peppervine QR code? Download the CampusGroups app to your phone and search āPepperdine University.ā From there youāll log in by entering your Wavenet credentials. Once youāve made your profile, you can click on āMoreā and your personal QR code will be at the top right. PS - if youāre having trouble with accessing the app, try going on vine.pepperdine.edu on your desktop browser to create your profile there.
Q. How can I be a part of the Board?
A. The Student Programming Board is a full-year commitment and a paid job. Applications for the 2025-2026 Board will open in Spring 2025! Click here to learn more about the application process.