Meet the Admission Team

Our intensely committed admission staff serve as your guides though every step in the admission process to get you started on your academic journey at Wesleyan.

Admission Deans and Counselors

Visit and Connect with Deans

Experts in all things Wesleyan, our admission deans frequently host information sessions to answer all of your questions and ensure your successful future at Wesleyan and beyond. Our friendly, approachable admission counselors are also here to support you.

Visit and Connect with Deans

Title: Assistant Dean of Admission

Pronouns: She/her

Hometown: Greenwich, Conn.

High school: Greenwich High School & Ombrosa International School (Lyon, France)

Connect via text: +1 860.467.0921

Song you would sing at karaoke night: A song for laughs and cheesy dance moves - “Keep your Hands to Yourself” by the Georgia Satellites. If we’re taking karaoke more seriously, “If I Could Turn Back Time” by Cher.

Favorite book: The Circle by Dave Eggers. It’s a dystopian commentary on the values and cultures that have emerged as a result of the prevalence of the internet and technology.

Favorite TV show/movie: The Good Place, The Princess Bride

Favorite Middletown restaurant: Perk on Main. It’s the perfect cozy cafe to settle in with a good coffee and yummy croissant and do some reading/work.

Why Wesleyan? The size. Wesleyan is a “big, small school.” Since Wes is larger than a typical liberal arts school, there are a greater number of resources to explore new things and a greater number of resources for students to pursue their academic and personal passions. It allows for an environment with greater diversity where students interact with people from many different world views and life experiences. The classroom conversations are enhanced and there’s a strong sense of collaboration. Wes is large enough that there are a myriad of ideas from students wanting to make a difference but also small enough that it is a close-knit community.

One piece of advice you’d give to all applicants: Take time to reflect on yourself- what are your passions inside and outside of the classroom? What new areas do you want to explore in college? The college application process is a wonderful opportunity for self-discovery. You will find things out about yourself such as what motivates you and what excites you. This is a passage to an exciting new chapter in your life. You should focus more on picturing what you want the next four years of your life to look like rather than applying to every school possible. You are more likely to be successful wherever you end up the more you are in tune with yourself, your passions, and your goals. We want to get to know you and help you in this process. If you see it this way, it can help you relax more and enjoy the process more.

Senior Interns

Our senior interns are a diverse group of talented, enthusiastic Wes students, active both on campus and off, who are eager to connect with you through Information Sessions and WesChats!

Pronouns: She / Her

Hometown: Bayonne, New Jersey

High school: High Tech High School

Major(s), Minors, Certificates: Biology and Science & Technology Studies double major, Chemistry minor

Email Aya

Why Wes? I chose Wesleyan University because it met all the criteria I was looking for in a college. I was particularly drawn to its liberal arts approach with an open curriculum, which allowed me to delve into my passion for public health through the Science and Technology Studies program. I felt I would be able to pursue that passion while still completing the premed requirements without experiencing burnout or overexposure to the hard sciences. My introduction to Wesleyan came through the QuestBridge program. During one of their sessions, Wesleyan was highlighted as a noteworthy institution, which piqued my interest. Learning about their strong financial aid support for first-generation low-income students like myself further solidified my decision.

Favorite class, and why? My favorite class has to be Arabic with Professor Aissa. As someone who spoke the Egyptian dialect fluently, it felt like my Arabic knowledge fell short because I couldn’t read or write in the language. Taking a college level language class is hard, but taking one that meets everyday and at 8:50 seemed impossible! It was the animation and excitement of Professor Aissa that made it feel easy. I loved the class so much, I went on to continue all of the Arabic courses offered at Wesleyan, and plan on serving as a TA for the course next year.

Activities at Wes: I actively participate in a diverse range of activities, taking on roles such as a Research Associate at the Coolon Research Lab, a member of the Arab Student Association, a board member of the Student Health Advisory Committee, and a contributor to the Science and Technology Studies Major Committee. I also serve as a Marketing Assistant for the Resource Center, where I not only make promotional materials but also plan events for the greater student of color community.

Activities off campus: I'm a fellow with the Connecticut Cancer Partnership through the Yale School of Public Health. Under the director's guidance, we're crafting an early onset cancer survivorship plan for patients and caregivers, slated for statewide implementation next year. During past summers, I served as a project coordinator for the Digital Innovation Team at Atlantic Health System, focusing on a remote patient monitoring initiative for New Jersey hospital patients. I also spent a summer at the University of Michigan as a Future Public Health Leader. When I'm not immersed in these roles, I find joy in babysitting and devoting time to connecting with and caring for children.

Pronouns: He / Him

Hometown: San Diego, California

High school: Phillips Exeter Academy

Major(s), Minors, Certificates: Molecular Biology & Biochemistry and College of Integrative Sciences double major

Email Nakial

Why Wes? Choosing Wesleyan University was a straightforward decision for me due to its outstanding combination of academics, athletics, and community atmosphere. Wesleyan's open curriculum offers flexibility, allowing students to explore various disciplines before committing to a major. This approach was ideal for me as it permitted a broad academic exploration alongside my deep interest in sciences. In athletics, Wesleyan provided an opportunity to compete in collegiate-level basketball while pursuing a demanding pre-med track. Wesleyan has offered me a supportive and enriching setting where I can excel academically, thrive in several of my interests, and develop personally.

Favorite class, and why? My favorite class at Wesleyan has been MB&B325, Biomolecular Structure taught by Rich Olson. I particularly enjoy how it merges theoretical concepts with practical applications, allowing us to visualize and manipulate molecular structures. It's captivating to see the linkages between molecular form and biological function, and this class has sharpened my skills in critical thinking and problem-solving. This blend of challenge and discovery is exactly why I love this course—it connects the intricate details of molecular biology to real-world implications in medicine and research.

Activities at Wes: As a McNair Scholar, I actively participate in academic and professional development programs with other undergraduate researchers from underrepresented backgrounds. I am the co-founder and co-president of the Black Undergraduate Medical Association, where we have developed volunteering, mentorship, and tutoring programs aimed at supporting aspiring physicians from underrepresented groups, with a particular focus on Black students. I previously was a student-athlete and a NESCAC champion with Wesleyan’s Men’s Basketball team where I had the unique opportunity to represent Wesleyan students of color on the NESCAC CoSAoC, advocating for diversity and inclusion among our NESCAC peers. Beyond these roles, I served as a Resident Advisor and worked for WesWell as a peer health advocate.

Activities off campus: As a Public Health Fellow at Yale, I've developed prostate cancer education programs tailored for Black men in Connecticut through Johnson & Johnson's TalkThatTalk Campaign. I've also worked with Hartford Healthcare to enhance shared decision-making practices, aiming to decrease PSA screening disparities among high-risk Black and Hispanic populations. Concurrently, I've conducted computational genomics research remotely with collaborators at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. This upcoming summer, I am excited to join Harvard Medical School and Dana Farber as a research scholar, where I will focus on lung cancer research and gaining clinical experience by shadowing oncologists. Outside of these commitments, I dedicate time to my passion for literature, having recently published a poem in Yale Medicine's Program for Recovery and Community Health PERCH Magazine in collaboration with Wesleyan professor Charles Barber!

Pronouns: She / Her

Hometown: South Hadley, Massachusetts

High school: Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School

Major(s), Minors, Certificates: Sociology major, Dance and African American Studies minors

Email Dria

Why Wes? Who knew that a random afternoon drive to a university an hour away would change my life? Call it intuition, but the minute I sat down on the benches outside of Usdan, I knew I wanted to call Wesleyan home. I wanted somewhere that was academically driven with a passionate student body, but able to let loose and have fun. Additionally, I was looking for a school that provided diversity in all kinds of ways, and Wesleyan pulled through. I wanted to enjoy my classes and not feel forced to be in a classroom knowing I wouldn’t enjoy it, so the open curriculum is definitely a benefit. Students here are able to explore academically, allowing them to pursue things they might never have thought of!

Favorite class, and why? My favorite class was Poetics of Blackness, taught by Professor Palmer. The discussion class was in a lecture hall, and I was very hesitant to speak in front of a new professor and classmates. It was my most intimidating class, not only because of the dense material and its relation to poetry, but I had to step out of my academic comfort zone and push myself to speak and cultivate a good professor/student dynamic, as well as growing more within my own Black identity. One day, I made a comment about something I found enticing within the readings, and that comment ended up being my final paper topic. It is still one of my favorite finals I have written at Wesleyan!

Activities at Wes: I am a part of Gag Reflex, Wesleyan’s oldest improv group, as well as Lunchbox sketch comedy and POC Comedy. I am also a part of the Women of Color Collective, have attended bi-weekly BIPOC Connection meetings at the Resource Center, and have engaged with Ujamaa (Wesleyan’s Black Student Union) events. You can spot me in a dance performance every now and then too!

Activities off campus: I enjoy dancing, either with friends or alone, and I usually find dances to learn online. I have also recently rediscovered my love for puzzles! Fun fact, during winter break of 2023-2024, I completed three puzzles in the span of five days. I also enjoy fiction and poetry writing, which have always been passions of mine, and am always content to sit down with a good book.

Pronouns: He / Him

Hometown: Topeka, Kansas

High school: Topeka High School

Major(s), Minors, Certificates: Government and Latin American Studies double major

Email Jake

Why Wes? Wes's endless opportunities both in and out of the classroom as well as its small size really made it stick out to me. It looked like a school where I would have the room to grow both academically and personally. I had no idea what I wanted to study, but, as I came to know more about Wes, the open curriculum and small classes seemed like a great way to become inspired and connect with my professors and peers. Wes's openness also made it easy to get involved on campus, which made my transition all the more easy when I started out as a nervous, wide-eyed freshman.

Favorite class, and why? Professor Diaz’s “Abya Yala Connection” course was a game-changer for me, both personally and academically. In my sophomore year Spanish class, we dug into how art, ecology, and the erasure of brown and queer bodies through colonization and whitewashing are all connected. Abya Yala, which means the Americas in a decolonized way, was a term I picked up in the class, and it really shifted my cosmovision and pushed me to think about my own identity. The class improved my Spanish, which was no small feat when discussing complex theory. Our small class discussion where there were only about 10 of us also challenged me to be more precise in both English and Spanish.

Activities at Wes: I've had a lot of involvement in the Alpha Delta Phi (ADP) Literary Society. I joined the second half of my sophomore year and became the co-chair of the newly created diversity, equity, and inclusion committee. We had really important and groundbreaking conversations that I found a lot of empowerment in. Elsewhere on campus, I have been a member of the Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC), volunteered at the local middle school, and frequently participate in student activism on campus.

Activities off campus: The past couple of summers I have worked for an English-language learning camp in Seville, Spain. During my time there, I managed a group of about 15 kids and coordinated with coworkers to facilitate group learning and group play. I have found a lot of joy working at the camp and seeing the kids learn a lot and have a great time. Elsewhere, I have volunteered in voter registration drives, Senate campaigns, and youth-coalition building in my hometown.

Pronouns: She / Her

Hometown: Houston, Texas

High school: Eastwood Academy High School

Major(s), Minors, Certificates: Economics and College of East Asian Studies double major, Film Studies minor

Email Veronica

Why Wes? Coming from a small charter school in a predominantly low-income neighborhood of Houston, I initially lacked exposure to liberal arts colleges. However, as a QuestBridge National College Prep Scholar, I encountered Wesleyan through a Zoom panel with their partner schools where I met a fellow QuestBridge senior admission intern. Our conversation revealed Wesleyan's values of diversity, interdisciplinary learning, creativity, and independence, which resonated deeply with my own. Learning about their experiences and listening to their guidance and enthusiasm for Wesleyan ultimately inspired me to apply and enroll to fulfill my desire to find a supportive community in college.

Favorite class, and why? My favorite class at Wesleyan has undoubtedly been Professor Aalgaard’s “Storytelling in Japan's Empire (and its Aftermaths)” course. It’s the most intellectually stimulating and thought-provoking class I’ve taken thus far and it was all due to Professor Aalgaard’s instruction. Through studying different forms of storytelling in the Japanese Empire, I was constantly challenged to think critically, engage with, and analyze the complexities and contradictions of everyday life under Empire, and form nuanced perspectives on how the ghosts of Empire continue to haunt our present-day life.

Activities at Wes: I am the Financial Manager for the Latin American Student Organization (LASO), a Writing Mentor at the Writing Center, and an Associate at Pi Cafe. I have previously held positions as a Residential Advisor in Bennet, a Sales Associate at the RJ Julia Campus Store, and an Associate at Summerfields. I’m very passionate about mentoring and serving as a guide and role model for first-generation-low-income (FGLI) students and have participated as an Orientation Leader for the First-Things-First program twice and as a Mentor for the QuestBridge Student Network. I have also been a member of the K-pop Dance Crew (KDC) on campus since my freshman year fall semester and it’s always fun and exciting to perform at our end-of-semester showcases.

Activities off campus: I spend time with friends and travel to New York often when my favorite K-pop groups announce their tour dates. Over the breaks, I go back home to Houston and spend time with my family and enjoy my mom’s delicious home-cooked meals that I miss throughout the semester. For the past two summers, I have participated in language programs to improve my skills in Japanese and Korean and have managed to reach an intermediate level in Japanese and an advanced level in Korean.

Pronouns: She / Her

Hometown: Revere, Massachusetts

High school: Revere High School

Major(s), Minors, Certificates: Government and Economics double major

Email Minnah

Why Wes? Despite being asked this question more times than I can count, my response continues to evolve with each iteration. From the progressive housing and dining model to the open curriculum, numerous factors have influenced my decision to make Wesleyan my academic home. Even now, as a senior, I find myself witnessing and experiencing new things every single day, which only adds to my extensive list of reasons why Wesleyan has been the perfect fit for me. Simply put, my "Why Wes" is that you will never cease to discover new reasons why.

Favorite class, and why? My favorite class at Wesleyan was the Leadership and Social Impact course taught by Prof. Badr. Each week, we started out by delving into a diverse range of leadership theories, complemented later in the week by in-class visits from industry leaders. The course's innovative approach broke conventional classroom boundaries, bridging theory with real-world application. An unforgettable highlight was our visit to the Irish Ambassador to the UN in New York, followed by cross-industry networking. For our final paper, we were asked to take the leadership strategies we had learned about and develop personalized social impact plans. My project focused on campaign strategy for Gen-Z voters. Having the space to create my passion project coupled with a supportive community fostered by Prof. Badr, I gained confidence and a deeper sense of purpose.

Activities at Wes: I work for the Office of Admission, serve as an editor for the Wesleyan Business Review, hold the role of social chair for Rho Epsilon Pi, write for the Wesleyan Political Arcadia, and am an active member of Shakti and the Wesleyan MSA.

Activities off campus: With over seven cycles of electoral organizing experiences on both candidate and issue-based campaigns across the State of Massachusetts - with roles ranging from fellow to organizing director for candidates such as Senator Ed Markey and Mayor Michelle Wu - I work as a public affairs and political consultant off campus! Additionally, I serve as the Chair of the Revere Democratic City Committee and I am on the executive team of a voter-registration-based non-profit in the healthcare space! Ask me about my self-made independent study at the Dewey Square Group in Boston!

Pronouns: She / Her

Hometown: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

High school: Dubai College

Major(s), Minors, Certificates: English major, College of East Asian Studies minor

Email Megan

Why Wes? I was unable to visit campus prior to applying to Wesleyan due to the pandemic and living overseas, so the impressions I got from doing research online as well as my alumni interview were fundamental to my grasp of the school. The open curriculum was especially inspiring for me, given that I knew I was interested in so many things but felt constricted by the very narrowly focused curriculum at my high school. I was struck by how connected I felt to the student community despite the sheer distance that existed between me and campus at the time. I was drawn to how students appeared emboldened by their own capabilities, and the general community-wide enthusiasm for life and all its possibilities.

Favorite class, and why? MUSC296: Soundscapes of Islam. I didn’t have any prior experience in music history or ethnomusicology before taking this course, however, I did have a general interest in the subject matter, having spent four years living in the Middle East before coming to Wesleyan. Professor Saida Daukeyeva is an incredible scholar and musician, and she crafted this niche class to be approachable for those without any existing knowledge on the material. I learned how to read complicated theoretical texts, including primary sources and ethnographies, conduct closely focused research and how to present information confidently and professionally. These skills have been applicable to almost every other class that I have taken since, across numerous departments, despite my not being a music major.

Activities at Wes: I am a co-chair of the International Student Advisory Board, which is a group of students that works with the Office of International Student Affairs to advocate and provide community and support for the international student body on campus. During the spring semester of my junior year, I worked as the House Manager for German Haus, one of Wesleyan’s residential program houses. I have also worked at the Office of Admission’s front desk for the past two years. I have also been involved with the Chinese Culture Club’s weekly mahjong events, the Fray fashion magazine, and yoga events on campus.

Activities off campus: During my free time, I enjoy reading, cooking, going to concerts and taking walks around campus. I am really interested in language learning, and I have studied Mandarin, French and German throughout my life. Over the summer, I work at a Turkish coffee shop in the town where my parents currently live.

Pronouns: She / Her

Hometown: Minsk, Belarus

High school: Gymnasium No.6

Major(s), Minors, Certificates: Government and Psychology double major, Human Rights Advocacy minor

Email Lera

Why Wes? I chose Wesleyan because of its community and freedom. I have never been around so many talented, passionate, and caring people who always treat you as a part of their family. Even while being 4000 miles away from campus, I felt the warm and kind energy of the Wesleyan community, and it convinced me that it was a place where I would have a wonderful college experience. Besides that, I was amazed by the freedom the school gives in all spheres: academics, clubs, work, and much more. It seemed like a dream that I could come to a very supportive place and find/pursue my actual interests. This dream came true, and coming here was the best decision I have made so far!

Favorite class, and why? My favorite class was Social Psychology with Professor Scott Plous. Professor Plous is a wonderful professor, and each class with him was so engaging that I would forget how to breathe! He ensures that students interact with the material in different ways that help absorb it much quicker and better. Besides that, the subject of the class is marvelous and extremely helpful in every sphere of life, regardless of whether you are interested in psychology or not. We all are social creatures and impact each other, even without noticing. I enjoyed learning which strategies can help improve interactions with people, what to be more mindful of, and how to make social life more pleasant.

Activities at Wes: I am interning at the Social Psychology Network which connects over 3000 experts passionate about social psychology from around the globe. I also work as an HR manager at the Instructional Media Services and as a course assistant at the Russian, East European, and Eurasian studies department. Besides that, I am a part of our amazing international student body and served as an International Students Orientation Leader in the last 2 years. On the fun side, I really enjoy dancing and am a part of the Kpop Dance Crew!

Activities off campus: I have been actively involved in democratic activism ever since I was a little girl. I continue doing that and fighting for the rights of those who are deprived of freedom every day of their lives. I volunteer for different human rights and political NGOs focused on post-USSR countries. Besides that, for the last two years, I have been conducting independent research and interviewing Belarusian and Ukrainian refugees all over the world. This year, I use these findings as a basis for my thesis!

Pronouns: He / They

Hometown: Yarmouth, Maine

High school: Yarmouth High School

Major(s), Minors, Certificates: Sociology and Italian double major

Email Jack

Why Wes? I truly chose Wes for the people, the opportunities, and the passion. When I was looking at colleges, I knew I wanted a place where I could explore my wide variety of interests and maintain the passion I have for each and every one of them. Wesleyan provided me that opportunity through the open curriculum and overall sense of passion each member of the student body has. It was because of my tour that I was able to grasp the extent to which Wes students are eager to get to work, but also enjoy the process. The environment here is collaborative and invigorating, and I chose Wes to partake in that adventure and learn more about myself along the way.

Favorite class, and why? My favorite class at Wesleyan has to be The Hair Class taught by Professor Robyn Autry in the sociology department. The Hair Class embodies Wesleyan academics-- there is so much creativity and personal insight embedded within the course. Professor Autry fosters such an invigorating classroom environment, and we had plentiful in-class discussions that never felt forced or boring. There was a certain fluidity and imagination in The Hair Class, whether it was playing with Barbie's or doing a personal project on our own hair. Couldn't recommend this class and this professor more.

Activities at Wes: I am a coordinator for Cardinal Kids, an after-school program in Middletown elementary schools. I am a course assistant for Italian 101/2. I am a teaching fellow with the National Education Equity Program teaching Introduction to Sociology to high school students. I was formally one of the prezcos (presidents) of West College, one of the community-based living options on campus. I am involved in Greek Life on campus, serving as Treasurer, Alumni Chair, and Rush Chair for Psi Upsilon. I am also a Tour Guide.

Activities off campus: I am an avid runner (fun fact-- I ran a marathon in 3:05). In terms of internships, I was a marketing intern with Toad&Co in Portland, Maine in the summer of 2023. In summer 2024, I have an internship with VIA, an ad-agency in Portland, Maine.

Additional Admission Staff

Our tour guides strive to show you what life is like at Wesleyan, while our Financial Aid Officers are here to help you understand your financing and aid options.

Meet our Tour Guides

Financial Aid Officers

Get in Touch

Office of Admission

860-685-3000 860-685-3000 • admission@wesleyan.edu

Quick Links

Information For

Meet the Admission Team

Admission Deans and Counselors

Senior Interns

Additional Admission Staff

Get in Touch

Quick Links

Information For

Meet the Admission Team

Admission Deans and Counselors

Amin Abdul-Malik Gonzalez '96

Chandra Joos DeKoven

Julia Fondiller

Dorothy Gaby

Jordyn Hackett-Slimm

Mariane Ibrahim

Jessica Jaskot

B. Noble Jones, Ph.D.

Bryan Kobick

Tara Lindros

Leykia (Kia) Nulan

Sebastian L. St Ivory

Zac Thomas

Miranda Zuo

Senior Interns

Aya Abdalla

Nakial Cross

Dria Dixon

Jake Gernon

Veronica Mendoza

Minnah Sheikh

Megan Sigalos

Lera Svirydzenka

Jack Vigue

Additional Admission Staff

Get in Touch