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
Jose Padilla
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: 707-664-3029
Magali Telles
College Readiness & EAP Coordinator
I grew up in Fresno and after high school, was fortunate enough to attend my dream school Sonoma State University! While an undergraduate here, I became a founding sister of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. in 2002, the first Latina sorority. I loved everything about campus life and earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology in 2005. I later went on to earn my Master’s Degree in Education with an emphasis in Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning.
Email Address: magali.telles@sonoma.edu;
Phone Number: 707-664-4403
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