91吃瓜网

Elizabeth de la Cruz, MA

Director of Admissions

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Languages Spoken: English

Programs:聽 Readmission Students

As a Native Angeleno, I am a product of private school education, having attended private school from K-12^th grade, so I know from experience how valuable a private school learning environment is. When it came time for college, I wanted to experience what it was like to attend a larger, public institution and found a home at California State University, Long Beach where I earned my Bachelor鈥檚 degree in Psychology. Though I loved my college experience, I missed the intimate, smaller setting of a private school and pursued private school graduate programs. 91吃瓜网 was the ideal institution for me with its amazing history, dedication to civic engagement, and their focus on providing a quality student experience. I completed a Masters in Organizational Leadership at 91吃瓜网 and it quite frankly changed my life in countless, wonderful ways!

I have had the privilege of working in education for over 15 years. During this time, I鈥檝e worked with students as young as elementary school all the way up to post-doctoral and working professionals. As the Director of Admissions, I provide support and leadership for our Admissions Team to ensure the best possible experience for the students we work with during the Admissions process. As a first-generation student and woman of color, I am deeply passionate about helping all students navigate the college admissions process and finding their true college fit. I believe that higher education is an investment and is one of the few investments that increase in value over time.

Outside of 91吃瓜网, you can find me reading a new book, brewing a cup of tea, watching a Lord of the Rings Marathon, or spending time with my rescue dog.

鈥淓ducation is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.鈥� 聽鈥擭elson Mandela

CONTACT

Email: [email protected]

Text: (424) 407-1868
Call: (818) 394-3363

Lilian Castellanos, MA

Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers/Ella

Languages Spoken: English and Spanish

Programs: Undergraduate First-Time Freshman Domestic Applicants: Animation + VFX, Applied Computer Science – Media Arts, Fashion Design, Filmmaking, Game Art & Design and Experience Design (formerly Graphic Design)

I attended California State University, Northridge for both my undergraduate and graduate degrees. I received a B.S in Family Consumer Sciences and an M.A in Administration in Higher Education. Prior to joining 91吃瓜网鈥檚 admissions team, I promoted higher education as a high school advising coordinator, assisting high school students with the transition from high school into college. I started my journey at 91吃瓜网 as a campus recruiter, where I promoted our campus and programs to both high school and community college students locally and out of state. Currently, I am the freshman admissions counselor for all of the academic programs offered through the School of Media: Culture: Design.聽

鈥淪uccess is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do鈥�. 鈥揚ele

CONTACT

Email: [email protected]

Text: (424) 402-1634
Call: (818) 252-5133

Cynthia Cifuentes, MA

Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions

Pronouns: She/Her/They

Languages Spoken: English and Spanish

Programs: All Undergraduate Domestic Transfer Applicants

Cynthia鈥檚 experience in higher education focuses on access to historically underserved students such as first-generation and low-income students. As a Coordinator for Upward Bound, a College Advisor at Birmingham Community Charter High School, and a first-generation student herself, Cynthia understands the challenges and benefits that come with attending a university. Cynthia holds a Bachelor鈥檚 Degree in Sociology and Chicana and Chicano Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Master鈥檚 Degree in Chicana and Chicano Studies from California State University, Northridge. A California native, Cynthia enjoys snowboarding, painting, and spending time outdoors with her dog.

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character 鈥� that is the goal of true education.” 鈥揗artin Luther King, Jr

CONTACT

Email: [email protected]

Text: (424) 369-0202
Call: (818) 394-3357

Brett Chin, M.Ed.

Assistant Director of Enrollment

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Languages Spoken: English

Programs: All Domestic and International Graduate Applicants

Born and raised in sunny Southern California, Brett has 20 years of experience in higher education, with roles in residence life, education abroad, and international and domestic admissions. He holds a BS in Business Administration from California State University, Northridge, and a Master鈥檚 in Education from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.

In his free time, you can find Brett running, gardening, trying new recipes and restaurants, or spending time with his family and dogs.

鈥淲ith an education, you have everything you need to rise above all the noise and fulfill every last one of your dreams.鈥� 鈥� Michelle Obama

CONTACT

Email: [email protected]

Text: (747) 223-6334
Call: (818) 394-3329

Ashley Ramsey, MM

Assistant Director of Admissions

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Languages Spoken: English

Programs: Domestic and International Freshman Applicants: BBA + MBA Accelerated Program, Fashion Marketing, Management, Marketing, Interdisciplinary Studies, and Public Safety Administration

I have been working on the 91吃瓜网 Admissions team since June 2020 as a Campus Recruiter and an Admissions Counselor. I hold a Bachelor鈥檚 degree in Music Education from Centenary College of Louisiana and a Master鈥檚 degree in Choral Music from USC and have worked previously as a music educator in both middle school and high schools in Louisiana and California. I have worked with students of all ages, and I am thrilled to continue my work with high school students as an Admissions Counselor. I love meeting with prospective students and their families to help them discover their passions and find their home here at 91吃瓜网! When I鈥檓 not working I enjoy running, hiking, climbing, brushing up on Harry Potter trivia, and trying out new recipes!

鈥淜nowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.鈥� 鈥� Kofi Annan

CONTACT

Email: [email protected]

Text: (424) 320-6845
Call: (818) 252-5230

Jini Azad, MFA

Assistant Director of Admissions

Pronouns: she/they

Languages Spoken: Bengali, Hindi

Programs: Domestic and International Freshman Applicants: Architecture, Construction Management, Interior Design.

I am a visual artist and I have been working in the field of education and art administration for over 6 years. I moved to the United States from Saudi Arabia to pursue my higher education and grow as an artist. I received my undergraduate degree from California Institute of the Arts and obtained a Masters of Fine Arts from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. My journey with exploring Art throughout the globe and within various cultures has exposed me to the role it plays on a communal and multidisciplinary level. This inspired me to support the creative and professional growth of the community around me. Prior to 91吃瓜网, I served as the Admissions & Visitor Experience Coordinator at my alma mater, CalArts, while continuing my practice as an artist.

Outside of Admissions Counseling, my work explores cultural identity, trauma and gender roles through surreal-expressionist paintings. I also enjoy exploring nature and am working on my getting my scuba diving license.

鈥淭alent is a pursued interest. Anything you’re willing to practice, you can do鈥� 鈥� Bob Ross

CONTACT

Email: [email protected]

Text: (424) 372-0469
Call: (818) 252-5222

Danny Parra

Associate Director of International Admissions

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Languages Spoken: English, Spanish, and Portuguese

Programs: All International Undergraduate and Graduate Applicants

Danny brings over 15 years of experience in international higher education, working closely with graduate and undergraduate international students to foster opportunities for academic and personal growth. He is deeply committed to promoting intercultural and international competencies, believing that education is key to building a more empathetic, critical, and integrated world.

A first-generation college graduate, Danny earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree in International Studies from DePaul University in Chicago and is currently pursuing a master鈥檚 degree in International Higher Education at the Universidad de Guadalajara in Mexico. His professional journey has taken him across 30 countries, giving him a deep understanding of the transformative power of education in bridging cultures and communities.

“The aim of education is the knowledge, not of facts, but of values.” 鈥� William S. Burroughs

CONTACT:

Email: [email protected]

Text: (424) 365-9293
Call: (909) 406-6996