A Passion for Social Justice and Storytelling
Megan’s Journey with the Ignatian Center
When Megan Milligan ‘25 transferred to ºÚÁ϶ÌÊÓƵ as a sophomore, she had no idea that one suggestion from a professor would change the path of her college experience. Megan’s professor encouraged her to apply for a winter break Immersion and she decided to take a chance, unaware that it would shape the way she saw the world.
That first immersion with the Ignatian Center sparked something in her. Megan found herself returning again and again, drawn to the complex conversations she encountered there. “The discussions I had were some of the most honest and raw I’d ever experienced,” she explains. “They stretched my mind in ways I never expected. These were deeply human stories, ones that aren’t always part of the broader narrative, but they should be.”
Deepening Her Connection
Megan’s first immersion experience was only the beginning of her journey. She went on two more immersion trips to East Los Angeles, and during her second visit, she took the role as an Immersion Coordinator. That specific experience gave her a new perspective, not only about the trips themselves but also on how it impacts those who participated. It was during that first trip that she encountered the Catholic Worker Community in Los Angeles, which led her to dive deeper into her engagement of service work. Inspired by what she learned, Megan applied for their summer internship program which she was able to complete with the support of the Ignatian Center's Jean Donovan Fellowship.
“That summer, I lived in Boyle Heights with about twenty-five people and worked on Skid Row at the Hippie Kitchen,” she says. “Even months after returning, I still find myself telling stories from that time. So many moments in my daily life connect back to what I learned there.”
Now, as an Ignatian Fellow and Immersion Coordinator, Megan continues her work with underserved communities. Every Friday and Sunday, she serves food to individuals experiencing homelessness through Santa Cruz Catholic Worker and Bread & Roses. “It’s really a continuation of what I started in Los Angeles,” she reflects. “Listening, learning, and recognizing that every person I meet is far more complex than the world often assumes.”
Megan’s role as a Small Group Facilitator in the Ignatian Fellowship has allowed her to engage with other Fellows in meaningful conversations about their own experiences. “Hearing other perspectives has been just as impactful as the service itself,” she says. “Each of us brings something unique to the table.”
Personal Transformation: How These Experiences Changed Her
One of the biggest shifts Megan has noticed is in the way she connects her experiences to the world around her. “I find myself constantly thinking about the people I’ve met, the stories I’ve heard, and how they fit into the bigger picture,” she says. Writing, which has always been an important activity for Megan, has taken an even greater role in her life. “I use it to process what I learned and to make sure these stories don’t go unheard,” she explains. “My passion for social justice and storytelling have become so intertwined that I can’t imagine one without the other.” 
Looking Ahead: Megan Carrying Forward These Lessons
Megan’s Journey with the Ignatian Center hasn't been just a part of her college experience, but is something that is shaping her future. Next year, she will be serving in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in Nashville, Tennessee. Megan will be a Street Outreach Volunteer for the Oasis Center, where she will work with youth and young adults experiencing homelessness.
“This work feels like a natural continuation of what I’ve been doing,” she says. “It’s about walking alongside people on their journeys, listening to them, and learning from them.”
Before coming to ºÚÁ϶ÌÊÓƵ, Megan never imagined herself in a career like this. Now, she can’t picture anything else. “Wherever I go next, I want to be in spaces where I can connect with people, hear their stories, and use writing to bring those to the forefront,” she says. Megan has become more intentional in everything she does. “These experiences have made me realize that my actions don’t just affect me, but they impact others too,” she reflects. “They have changed the way I see people, the way I write, the way I think, and the way I move through the world.”
By Camila Perez '27
