From humble beginnings to 40 Under 40: Yamir Lozada

Jan 10, 2025
Yamir Lozada
Lozada

2024 marked a significant year for Newman alumnus Yamir Lozada ‘12, ‘15, who was recognized as a 40 Under 40 award winner by the Wichita Business Journal. 

Lozada serves the Wichita community in several avenues. He is the director of NexStep Alliance, which provides adult education classes such as GED classes, tuition-free college courses and other community services at little to no cost. He is also the director of education with Goodwill Industries of Kansas and serves as the director of adult education with WSU Tech for the Kansas Board of Regents. Additionally, he is treasurer of the Kansas Adult Education Association. He is also a state leader advocate for Kansas Adult Education for the Coalition of Adult Basic Education.

At the heart of his many roles, Lozada strives to make the community a little better each day. This quality was recognized in his 40 Under 40 award, which celebrates leadership, initiative and contributions of community members.

“It is an honor, but this award represents my team and our efforts to serve the community,” Lozada said. “My team does an amazing job supporting and advocating for the people we serve. Of course I felt happy, delighted and honored. But if I could scribe all of my staff’s names on the award, I would. They deserve it just as much as I do.”

A challenging start followed by blessings

Lozada and his sister, Rashell, did not have an easy start to life due to their abusive biological father. When it came time for Lozada, his sister and their mother to escape to a safer environment, they landed in Wichita.

At 11 years old, Lozada was angry, lonely and uncertain of many things. That is, until he met his step-father-to-be, Mark Graber.

Graber, a Newman University employee since March 1996, serves as the network administrator for the information technology department. Four days after the 9/11 attack, he met Lozada’s mom, Rosy, on campus at the Wichita ASC Center where she worked. Their first date was on Sept. 15 and they married just three months later. Their love story continues after more than 23 years. 

(From left to right) Rashell, Daniel, Rosy, Lozada and Graber celebrate Lozada's graduation from Newman University.
(From left to right) Rashell, Daniel, Rosy, Lozada and Graber celebrate Lozada’s graduation from Newman University.

Lozada said having Graber’s guidance and love for the past 20-plus years is something he thanks God for every day.

“Before Mark, I only had gangs and the scars my biological father left on me and my family to base what a man needs to be like,” Lozada said. “Mark taught my mother, sister and I what a man and a father figure should be. From showing me the importance of how to treat a lady (my mother), and working hard for himself and family, to showing me how to tie a tie, how to drive and introducing me to my faith, it did not take long for me to call him ‘dad.’”

Lozada describes Graber as being “a champion” for him and his family since day one. 

“He was and still is smart, kind, hilarious, hard-working, patient and loving to others,” Lozada said. “I can tell you that I was none of those things, at least not until I met my dad, Mark. Helping me find my faith was life-changing.”

Today, Lozada is a proud and patient father of two, a husband of 10 years and a humble leader to those around him.

“We are each other’s champion, and we are best friends,” Lozada said of Graber. “I would be nothing without him. I know Newman University loves all that Mark does, and I am so proud to call him my dad.”

The Newman University connection

Graber fondly recalled working at Newman when Lozada was an undergraduate student. The two even played together in Newman’s pep band during basketball games. 

“Yamir played trumpet and I played trombone,” Graber said. “I think it was his persistence in asking for a pep band that got that group started at Newman.”

Lozada with sister Rashell and brother Daniel
Lozada with sister Rashell and brother Daniel

Lozada, who studied communication, was an active participant in chorale, troubadours, pep band, the Sloppy Joe Improv Troupe and the table tennis team. He will always remember the faculty members who left an impression on him as well, including Assistant Dean for Arts and Sciences Audrey Hane, Director of Adult and Professional Studies Teresa Wilkerson, Director of Music Deanne Zogleman and former Director of the Graduate Education Program and Assistant Professor of Education Gina Marx. Someday, Lozada would love to return to Newman as a communication professor to pay forward his own transformative education.

Lozada worked as an admissions counselor at Newman University from 2012-2014.
Lozada worked as an admissions counselor at Newman University from 2012-2014.

“Dr. Hane helped me transition from an inexperienced and immature freshman to a mature and poised young professional. Professor Wilkerson taught me the importance of having strong verbal and nonverbal communication and being authentic in all I do. Deanne showed me that my voice matters. Dr. Marx forged me into the servant leader that I am,” he said.

Lozada met his wife, Nicole, as a Newman student. The two shared their first date at IHOP in 2010 and Nicole said “yes” to Lozada’s marriage proposal in the DeMattias Performance Hall on campus in 2013.

“She is my rock, my coach and my love,” Lozada said. “She accepted me for who I was and helps me be a better man on a daily basis. I am so lucky God brought her into my life.”

Lozada believes Newman University took a chance on him and “provided the tools, personnel and accommodations to ensure that I succeeded.” After he graduated in 2012, Lozada became an admissions counselor for the university. In this role, he helped students “who needed a lifeline, a chance and opportunity much like I did,” he said.

A lifelong servant of God

Lozada earned his Master of Science in Education with a concentration on organizational leadership from Newman in August 2015. Newman’s emphasis on servant leadership is ingrained into everything he does — whether it be with family, his staff or the people he serves. 

Lozada (center) with sisters of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ (ASC) at Newman University.
Lozada (center) with sisters of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ (ASC) at Newman University.

“We have people who have had quite humble upbringings, and I never take anything for granted,” Lozada explained. “We currently serve individuals who need to earn their high school diploma, learn and refine their English-speaking skills or who get out of prison and need direction. Some made a poor choice in the past and now they do not know where to turn to. We are sometimes their only support in addressing their barriers, and it is rewarding fighting alongside them. They all deserve the chance to show themselves and the world that they can and will be successful.”

Graber said being Lozada’s dad is a “highlight of my life.” He describes Lozada as someone who goes all-in on any challenge he faces. That’s why, when Lozada became a 40 Under 40 recipient, Graber was not surprised.

“I’ve known about the 40 under 40 program for a long time so when I heard that he was selected, I was so excited and proud,” Graber said. “I acquired an instant family when I met Rosy and I’ve been so blessed because of them. I can’t imagine my life without them now.”

The same is true for Lozada, who will always look up to Graber and his hero: his mother.

“She is the foundation for all that I am,” Lozada said. “My mother’s empathy, work ethic, resilience, bravery and grit were what she has passed down to me. I remember her working every day, even Christmas to provide. She walked to work at 5 a.m., and after work, she walked to driving school, walked back home and arrived at 8 p.m., exhausted but ready to do it again for my sister and me. I remember she put herself in harm’s way to make sure that I was safe. She would even skip out on dinner to ensure I had enough to eat.”

Lozada, his wife, and family gather for a photo on Lozada's wedding day
Lozada’s family on his wedding day

He added, “Like I mentioned, humble beginnings, but my hero, my mother, taught me that anything — and I mean anything — is possible with empathy, grit and bravery.”


Begin your journey at Newman University

Newman University has been part of the origin story for thousands of alumni leaders who make a difference in their communities. Explore what a “Degree of Difference” can look like for you.

FacebookTwitterEmailShare