Yamir Lozada honors his roots through servant leadership
Raised by a brave mother and a steadfast stepfather, Yamir Lozada ’12, ’15, learned early on what it means to overcome adversity and lead with heart.
After escaping an abusive home life, Lozada, his sister and mother moved to Wichita, where his future stepfather, Mark Graber, became a steady and guiding presence. Graber, a longtime Newman University employee, met Lozada’s mother on campus in 2001. Just three months later, they married, and their love story continues after more than 23 years.
Yamir Lozada and stepfather, Mark Graber.
“Mark taught us what a father should be,” Lozada said. “From tying a tie to finding faith, it didn’t take long for me to call him ‘dad.’ We’re each other’s champion.”
As a Newman student, Lozada experienced more than an education. He found belonging in music, improv and campus life, and even proposed to his wife, Nicole, in the DeMattias Performance Hall. After graduation, Lozada worked as an admissions counselor, helping students “find the same lifeline I once needed.” He later earned his Master of Science in Education with a concentration in organizational leadership in 2015.
Today, Lozada is the director of NexStep Alliance and holds several leadership roles in adult education across Kansas. Through his work with Goodwill Industries and WSU Tech, he helps adults earn GEDs, take tuition-free college courses and gain job skills to build better futures.
Newman’s emphasis on servant leadership remains constant in Lozada’s work and life. Whether mentoring his staff, raising his two children or guiding adults through educational challenges, Lozada strives to lift up others.
“We have people with humble beginnings, and I never take anything for granted,” he said.
That commitment to community service and equity even earned Lozada recognition from the Wichita Business Journal as a 40 Under 40 honoree in 2024.
“This award represents my team and our efforts to serve the community,” he said. “It also reflects the values my mom and dad instilled in me — empathy, grit and the belief that anything is possible.”