Admissions Counselors
Melanie Cooper
Transfer Admissions Counselor
I was born and raised in Sonoma County. My hometown, Petaluma, clearly holds my heart, because I couldn’t stay away. I graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor’s of science in Psychology. In 2014, I started my Master’s in Education at Sonoma State University. I am currently working on my thesis, which focuses on the impact of high school students taking college campus tours. My favorite part of my job is showing students our amazing campus and watching them fall in love with our school and community.
Primarily Serves: Transfer
Email Address: melanie.cooper@sonoma.edu
Phone Number: 707-664-2938
Bianca Calderon
Out of State Admissions Counselor
I was born and raised in Humboldt County. I attended Sonoma State University & graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice, with a minor in Sociology. My experience in working with Out of State students as a Pre-Admissions Counselor has provided me with the opportunity of educating others about the great opportunities SSU has to offer. The best part about my job is witnessing the growth and transition students & families encounter from the time of applying, moving to California, and becoming a Sonoma State Student.
Primarily Serves: Out of state freshman and transfer students
Email Address: bianca.calderon@sonoma.edu
Phone Number: 707-664-4403
Erika Black
Transfer Admissions Counselor
I grew up in Inglewood, CA. I attended UCLA and graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a minor in Education. Then I received my Master of Arts in Guidance and Counseling from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. My priority is to ensure transfer students are successful academically and have seamless transition into SSU, as that sets the foundation for future educational and career goals. The best part of my job is assisting transfer students with navigating the transfer process and providing resources that supports their specific needs. Primarily Serves: Transfer Students from SRJC, Napa and Mendocino College.
Email Address: erika.black@sonoma.edu
Phone Number: 707-664-3564
Jose Padilla Reynoso
Freshman Admissions Counselor
I grew up in the central valley. I attended Sonoma State University and graduated in 2009 with a Bachelors’ of Arts in Communications. My experience working with First Time Freshmen Admissions has provided me with the opportunity to be work with students and families from all different backgrounds and walks of life and educate them about what SSU has to offer. The best part of my job is being able to go out into the community and inform future generations about the importance of a college education.
Crecí en el valle central, vine a la Universidad de Sonoma y me recibí con una Licenciatura en Comunicaciones en el 2009. Mi experiencia trabajando con estudiantes de primer año me ha dado la oportunidad de trabajar con todo tipo de personas y ensenar lo que SSU les puede ofrecer. La mejor parte de mi trabajo es poder involucrarme en la comunidad y así poder informar a las nuevas generaciones sobre la importancia de una educación universitaria.
Email Address: padiljos@sonoma.edu
Phone Number: 707-664-3030
Derek Bradley
Freshman Admissions Counselor
I grew up in San Bernardino, CA and was the first person in my family to be accepted and graduate from a four-year university. I graduated from Sonoma State University in 2013 with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Philosophy and a Minor in Sociology. As a Freshman Admissions Counselor, I want to educate students and their families about the opportunities that SSU has to offer. The best part of my job is working with students in assisting them with their educational goal of earning a college degree.
Email Address: bradlede@sonoma.edu
Phone Number: 707-664-3399
Gina Geck
Director Of Student Outreach & Recruitment
I have had a career in higher education for nearly 20 years, starting first as a program coordinator at Yuba College, Clearlake campus near my home town of Cobb Mt. I came to SSU in 2000 where I immediately fell in love with the beauty of the campus and the community of students, staff and faculty. Walking on campus you can feel what we describe as a the Sonoma Experience. Students become part of a close knit community, where faculty and staff are passionate about working with them and relationship building is a priority. Starting as an admissions counselor, I still enjoy working face to face with students, families and educators to help students realize their dreams of earning a college degree. I have an exceptional team of staff that are passionate about working with students to educate them on the benefits of earning a university degree and why SSU is the right place to do that.
Email Address: gina.geck@sonoma.edu;
Phone Number: 707-664-3035