Smart Girl

Alexia Pineda Soto, Ed.D., is a scholar-practitioner committed to advancing educational justice through community-centered strategies. Lexie earned her doctorate at Loyola Marymount University (LMU), and her research interests center on critical career education modalities for first-gen students, the social-emotional experiences of economically marginalized Latinas, and the realities of first-generation professionals. As the Associate Director of First-Gen Initiatives at LMU, she supports first-gen students with individualized, equity-driven approaches. In 2024, Lexie was recognized as an "Ignite Culture: Ignite First-Gen Success" leader and a “Sensational Staff Member” by FGLIstudents.org. Outside of her higher education vocation, Lexie enjoys building Legos, DIY projects, karaoke, and time with her niece, Camila, and nephew, Sebastian.