UGRD Staff Profiles

A.J. is a native of San Jose, CA but has spent time in each of the four corners of the country. A former transfer student and athlete, A.J. oversees the Transfer process and is the Admission liaison for Athletics recruitment. An admission veteran, A.J. has worked in higher education for over a decade and is also a published author.

Becky has been working in university admissions since 2004 and arrived at Santa Clara in 2013. As Dean, she is responsible for setting and leading the strategic direction of all admission and recruitment efforts for first-year and transfer students, including oversight of all technical, and marketing initiatives. Having lived abroad and spent the early part of her career working with international students, she finds continued enjoyment in working with students from all backgrounds and experiences to support their journey towards a higher education degree. Having served on various panels, boards and committees, she most recently volunteered on the Executive Board for the International Association for College Admission Counseling (International ACAC). Becky lives in Campbell, CA with her husband and enjoys the access to the beach and mountains that the Bay Area affords.

Eva has been with the Undergraduate Admission Office since 2003. As VP for Enrollment Management, she serves on the president's cabinet and oversees the operations of undergraduate admission, university financial aid, and enrollment services. Eva worked for ten years in Latino media as a leader in ad sales and marketing for several start-up operations launching into Latin American and the U.S. Hispanic market, including Fox Latin American Channel, USA Networks, Discovery Networks, and El Sition.com. She has served on several boards and committees of local and national non-profit organizations and is currently President of the National Catholic College Admission Association. Originally from Venice Beach, Eva lives in San Jose with her husband and young daughter.

Lorenzo is originally from a very small town with eight graduating seniors in his public high school class. Coming from a close-knit community, he is familiar with the assumptions and fears one may have when considering leaving town for college. Reflecting on his own journey of college, he aspires to clarify the daunting experience for other first-generation students that he once faced himself. Lorenzo has over ten years of experience in college advising and currently oversees new initiatives.

Michaela is a former transfer student and graduate of Santa Clara University. After graduation, Michaela went on to receive her Master’s degree from King’s College London. Michaela is a forever learner, teacher and adviser. She is passionate about the Jesuit philosophy of educating the whole person: mind, body and spirit. Michaela is excited to work with incoming first-year and transfer students and advise students from all backgrounds through the process of accessing higher education.

Although Randy was born in Boston, he grew up and attended school in San Jose. As the first person in his family to attend college, he hopes to share his experiences with other students looking for advice. As a former teacher, he is passionate about education and has always been committed to helping students reach their goals!

Zucel is a San Jose native and is passionate about improving college access for all students. As a first generation and former transfer student, she is passionate about supporting students through the college application process. Jesuit education has played a large role in her life--hopefully, it will for you too.

Derrick grew up in the Bay Area before heading down to Southern California to get his bachelors and masters degree. He is now back in the Bay Area serving as an Assistant Director in the Undergraduate Admissions Office. He is passionate in supporting students to discover their identities and achieve their goals. In this role, he hopes to increase college access and to be a resource for students to understand the college application process and how college can be used as a tool to achieve their dreams and passions.

Gaby moved from Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico when she was 8 years old and considers herself a San Jose native. Her experience in non-profit, private business, and start-up/tech sectors in the area has given her opportunities to really understand this very diverse community. As a first-generation college student, the love and support from her teachers was monumental for her enrollment and success. Gaby is a Spanish native speaker, has a heart for the immigrant communities and absolutely loves California for its beauty, endless possibilities and diversity.

Adrian is a transplant to the Bay area after spending most of his life in Texas: splitting time between El Paso and Austin. Despite being new to the area, he has quickly come to love the food, the weather, the diversity, and most importantly, Santa Clara University. After 10 years working in college access in both the high school and university setting, Adrian has come to value the importance of educational equality and helping students understand that there isn't one linear path to achieving the dream of a college education.

Ricky was born and raised in Berkeley and Richmond, CA. He now works in college admission with a specialization in diversity, equity, and inclusion/outreach. He’s travelled to New Zealand and India, and has lived in the Bay for a majority of his life.

Junesse was born in Cebu, Philippines and immigrated to the United States when she was ~a year and a half old. She grew up in San Jose, California and continues to reside in the Bay Area with her family and her dog, Mangga (meaning Mango in Bisaya, her family's native language). As an admissions counselor, Junesse is committed to helping students in their pursuit of higher education.

Bárbara, a Super Bronco and immigrant from São Paulo, Brazil, brings a wealth of experience to the table. Having lived in various parts of California, she considers herself an almost-native of the state. Bárbara's own journey as a transfer student from a community college gives her valuable insight into the challenges and processes involved. Her background spans law, academia, and technology, where she has successfully driven change and fostered inclusive environments. Fluent in Brazilian Portuguese, Bárbara effortlessly connects with individuals from diverse backgrounds, ensuring everyone feels welcomed. With her passion for making others feel included, Bárbara is ready to make a lasting impact in helping others and creating an inclusive environment for all.