July 26, 2022

Now in its second year, the Coalition Ambassador program welcomes 13 new participants for 2022-23. This program brings together admissions professionals from member schools to collaborate on nationally coordinated and regionally impactful college access work.

Participants hail from public and private Coalition schools across the U.S. and are united in their passion to expand college access.

“As a first-generation Latina student, I struggled with applying to college and navigating the college admissions process,” says 2022-23 Coalition Ambassador Emily Santana, assistant director of undergraduate admissions, enrollment management & student success at Drexel University. “I know that the mission of the Coalition is to inspire students to go to college and support them through the process. This closely aligns with the reason I entered higher education and continues to drive me in all steps of my professional and personal life.”

Ambassadors will work together to provide support for students navigating the admissions process and connect them to the resources that the Coalition provides. In addition to this direct outreach, Ambassadors will also connect with leaders in the college access and enrollment management fields. The professional development component of the program is designed to provide early- and mid-career professionals who are committed to access and inclusion with the opportunity for networking and professional growth.

“Not only do Ambassadors connect with students, with each other, and leaders in the field,” says Stacey Kostell, CEO of the Coalition for College, “they’re also an important voice in shaping the work of the Coalition. We’re so excited to continue this program this year, and work with these dedicated individuals on breaking down barriers to higher education for all students.”

Related links

• Coalition events

• Member schools

Meet the 2022-23 Coalition Ambassadors

Carla Arellano
Assistant Director of Transfer Admission, Southern Methodist University

Jessica Clark
Sr. Director, Recruitment & Communication, University at Buffalo

Julian Gomez
Associate Director of Admissions, Ramapo College of New Jersey

China Hutchins
Assistant Director, Undergraduate Admissions, Washington University in St. Louis

Tara Kalinisan
Associate Director of Admission, Smith College

Shaliyah Kinsey
Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions - Access, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, Arcadia University

Christina Lofaso
Senior Admissions Advisor & EOP Coordinator, Stony Brook University

Jaqui Olvera
Admission Counselor, St. Edward's University

Constance Owl
Assistant Director of Admission (Diversity Outreach and External Relations - CBO coordinator), Stanford University

Jessica Pena
Associate Director of Admissions -Recruitment & Outreach, Berea College

Emily Santana
Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admission, Drexel University

Sherry Vernon
Director of CBO Partnerships, University of Chicago

Kaetlin Wilcox-Perry
Admissions Officer, University of Connecticut