We look forward to hearing from you! Connect with your specific admissions officer, below. Your territory is determined by the address of your school. To receive mailings and digital communications from us, please use our Information Request form. You may also email us at admissions@pomona.edu.
Jonathan Williams, Vice President & Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid
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Hometown: New Kensington, PA
College major: French modified with History and Government
Fun fact: I once played Daddy Warbucks in a community theater production of "Annie"
Advice for college applicants: Journal! Capture your thoughts and feelings about those meaningful moments in your life, big and small. These can often be the foundational thoughts for a personal statement that conveys your authentic self.
Adam Sapp, Assistant Vice President & Director of Admissions
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Territories
States: Hawaii
California: East San Fernando Valley
Territories: American Samoa, Guam, Mariana Islands
International: Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and all other international areas not otherwise assigned
Hometown: Danville, OH
College major: History
Fun fact: I am on my fourth passport–the first three are full!
Advice for college applicants: Read more autobiographies. Why? Because learning how to reflect on your life is a skill best learned early.
Joel A. Hart, Senior Associate Dean of Admissions & Director of Operations
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Territories
States & Cities: New York City
California: San Francisco County
International: Europe, Oceania (Australia/New Zealand), Turkey
Hometown: Nashville, TN
College majors: Political Science and Religious Studies
Fun fact: I once (and only once) appeared on Jeopardy!
Advice for college applicants: Stay organized, and check your email.
Edward Pickett III, Senior Associate Dean of Admissions & Director of Recruitment
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Territories
States & Cities: Chicago, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina
California: Claremont, Napa County, Oakland, Sonoma County, West Beach, West Los Angeles
Hometown: Oakland/Berkeley, CA
College majors: Media Studies and Studio Art
Fun fact: As a former Sagehen athlete, my favorite TV stations are ESPN and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.
Advice for college applicants: Present your authentic self in your application. That’s the person we want to understand because that is the person who will attend college.
Katrina Bruno, Associate Dean of Admissions
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Territories
States: Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming
California: San Diego County
Other: Homeschool students
Hometown: Miami, FL
College major: Journalism (Sociology minor)
Fun fact: My friends and family find humor in the fact that I have a major fear... of butterflies.
Advice for college applicants: Check out blogs/newspapers/social media sites to learn more about what students on campus are talking about or care about.
Paola Franco '17, Interim Associate Dean of Admissions & Transfer Coordinator
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Territories
California: East Los Angeles, South & South Central Los Angeles
Territories: Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands
International: Canada, the Caribbean, Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa
Other: Transfer Students
Hometown: Hawthorne, CA
College major: Spanish
Fun fact: I'm a dedicated Dodgers fan, but they’ve managed to lose every single game I’ve attended. Maybe I should stop going to so many . . .
Advice for college applicants: Follow that gut feeling you're having! NOT liking an institution after visiting or doing research is just as valid as falling in love with one.
Michelle Gonzalez, Associate Dean of Admissions & Director of Special Projects
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Territories
States: Arizona, New Mexico, Southeast & West Texas & the Rio Grande Valley
California: Greater Imperial Valley, Ontario, Riverside County & San Bernardino County
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
College major: Spanish
Fun fact: I had a Lego-themed wedding. Yes, I have pictures.
Advice for college applicants: Be yourself! Own your experiences.
Scott Smith, Associate Dean of Admissions
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Territories
States: Massachusetts
California: Central Coast, Central Valley
Hometown: Martinez, GA
College major: Cinematic Arts
Fun fact: I once almost ran over George Lucas while riding my bike.
Advice for college applicants: College applications can feel like a big test that you’re trying to pass, but try to keep in mind that it really is more a matter of getting to know you—the real you—and how you might contribute to a community.
Kenia Alfaro, Senior Assistant Dean of Admissions
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Territories
States: North & Central Texas
California: Long Beach
International: Africa (outside of Northern Africa)
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
College majors: Education Studies and Ethnic Studies
Fun fact: I once hiked part of the Appalachian Trail in the Shenandoah Valley—it was then I realized hiking is not my calling.
Advice for college applicants: Finding a college means finding a place that is the best fit for you, so trust yourself throughout the process and you’ll end up at the right place!
Adriana Bustos, Senior Assistant Dean of Admissions & Visit Coordinator
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Territories
States: District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia
California: Anaheim, Covina & West Covina (except Claremont), Orange County, Santa Ana, Whittier
Hometown: La Puente, CA
College major: Mathematics (Statistics emphasis)
Fun fact: I love thrifting. My goal this year is to shop almost 100% secondhand clothing for myself.
Advice for college applicants: The perfect college for you depends on ... YOU. Think about what's important to you, whether that's location, size, financial aid, or other factors. College will be a home away from home, so make sure you choose a college that is right for you.
Isis Galeno, Assistant Dean of Admissions
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Territories
States: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington
California: Alameda County (outside of Oakland)
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
College major: Anthropology and NGOs and Social Change
Fun fact: I am a massive cat lady and currently have 5 cats (courtesy of the cat distribution system).
Advice for college applicants: The college application process can often prove to be daunting, so make sure you are taking the time to reflect on all your accomplishments, achievements, and value. Know that you are worthy of success and will bring so much to your campus!
Nathalie Jimenez, Assistant Dean of Admissions
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Territories
States: Delaware, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York (except NYC), Rhode Island, Vermont
California: Glendale and Pasadena, South Bay, West San Fernando Valley
Hometown: Inglewood, CA
College major: Spanish & Portuguese
Fun fact: I was bitten by a camel in Morocco, and I have a picture to prove it.
Advice for college applicants: "Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will." Be realistic about colleges that are best fit for you, but don't be afraid to dream big either.
Doreen Thode, Assistant Dean of Admissions
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Territories
Connecticut
California: Santa Barbara & West Ventura County
International: Subcontinent (outside of India) and Central Asia, India
Other: Transfer Students
Hometown: Kühren, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany (if you have been, I will take you out for coffee)
College major: Sociology
Fun fact: My bucket list includes running a marathon, writing a children's book, and going skydiving.
Advice for college applicants: Take your time when completing the application (but of course be aware of the different application deadlines!). Do not try to do it in one sitting, you will get frustrated. Instead take this process step-by-step and allow for breathing room.
Tray Hammond '22, Admissions Officer
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Territories
States: Pennsylvania
California: Marin County, Hollywood & Wilshire
International: China, Hong Kong, Southeast Asia (outside Singapore) and Pacific Islands, Taiwan
Hometown: Martin, TN
College major: Theatre (Theatrical Performance track)
Fun fact: As a student at Pomona, I was an extra for a couple episodes of Westworld. One episode was shot in L.A., and the other was shot in Singapore while I was there doing research!
Advice for college applicants: As scary as college applications (and the thought of admissions officers reading those applications) can be, take your time crafting your list: who receives an application from you is completely in your hands. Create a list of schools where you could see yourself thriving. The wait for decisions is hard, but I promise it’ll be worth your while.
Andy Kenley, Admissions Officer
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Territories
States: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, West Virginia
California: Contra Costa Co., City of San Jose, Santa Clara Co.
Hometown: Seymour, TN
College major: Sociology & Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies
Fun fact: I’ve visited 30 states, and I lived in 4 states in the span of one year!
Advice for college applicants: When writing your primary college application essay, write it in a way that if you were to print it out without your name on it and drop it in the hallway of your high school, someone could pick it up, read it, and definitively know it’s yours because of how unique it is to you and your experiences.
Tanisha Maldonado, Admissions Officer
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Territories
States: Iowa, Illinois (outside Chicago), Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin
California: Far Northern California, Sacramento County, San Mateo County
Hometown: Moreno Valley, CA
College major: Sociology
Fun fact: I was a certified lifeguard and I won a playwriting contest in high school.
Advice for college applicants: Always be yourself.
Operations Staff
Kristi Hart, Operations Supervisor for Admissions
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Amy Shankle, Communications Coordinator for Admissions
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Support Staff
Gina Green, Executive Assistant to Vice President, Admissions & Financial Aid
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Josi Muñoz-Rubalcava, Administrative Coordinator to Assistant VP & Director of Admissions
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Socorro Chavez, Administrative Assistant to the Senior Associate Dean & Director of Operations
Arianna Batta Carrillo, Administrative Assistant to the Senior Associate Dean & Director of Recruitment
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ATTENTION: Join us for our December webinars, Last Minute Essay Tips and International Community at Pomona
Monday through Friday
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.