Meet the Admission Staff

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Thomas A. Gutto
Associate Vice Provost, Undergraduate Admission
Contact Tom Gutto

In collaboration with the Vice Provost of Enrollment Management, Tom leads the creation and implementation of the undergraduate admission strategic recruitment and enrollment efforts. His primary focus is supporting students and their families through the admission process from aspiring college students to admitted LMU Lions.

Tom is an active member in the following professional associations: The National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students (NISTS), The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), The Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC), and the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers (AACRAO).He was honored with the Bonita C. Jacobs Transfer Champion Rising Star Award (2016) from the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students for his exceptional advocacy and leadership in the development and implementation of transfer-focused activities in support of transfer student access to and success in higher education.

Tom earned his Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Arts in Counseling from LMU.  

Radia Alouache
Senior Director, Undergraduate Admission
Contact Radia Alouache

Radia Alouache brings to her role as Senior Director a degree in Finance and International Business and a Master in Education with a focus in counseling. She combines this background with over 30 years of admission experience. Radia oversees the recruitment and decision process for first year applicants. She is a long-time member of NACAC and WACAC and is actively involved in these two admission professional organizations. In her spare time she likes to read, travel, and try new restaurants.

Christine Parra
Assistant Director
Contact Christine Parra

Although Chris now considers herself an LMU Lion after 17 years in Admission, she attended St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas where she obtained both a B.A. in English Communication Arts, as well as an M.A. in Community Counseling.  Being an out-of-state college student from Omaha, Nebraska, Chris has had a special interest in both introducing and recruiting prospective students from the Midwest. In her free time, she enjoys time with her children and supporting causes of those with special needs.

Territories: California (West LA, South Bay), Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin

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Caeli Koizumi
Assistant Director
Contact Caeli Koizumi

Caeli Koizumi is an alumna of Loyola Marymount University, earning her B.A. in Dance in 2017. LMU is where Caeli first fell in love with higher education and she is passionate about empowering students to celebrate and live into their authentic identities. As a native of the San Francisco Bay Area, she is thrilled to return to LMU and support prospective students as they explore all that the university has to offer. Caeli is a proud auntie and in her free time, she enjoys knitting, staying active, and trying new recipes.

Territories: California (Far Northern California, Valley of the Moon, Marin, San Francisco, Contra Costa, Oakland, San Mateo County, San Jose, Santa Clara)

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Beth Calkins
Admission Counselor
Contact Beth Calkins

Beth received her B.A. in Communication Studies with a minor in Philosophy at LMU. She went on to earn an M.A. in Higher Education Administration from Boston College, but the Boston winters were too much for her, and she has happily spent most of her career back at LMU. Beth grew up in Sacramento and currently resides in San Diego. She feels incredibly fortunate to continue her work with the admission office by engaging with students from both of these "hometowns." In her spare time, Beth loves the beach, baking, reading, hiking with her family, and volunteering at her children's school.

Territories: California (Sacramento, San Diego)

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Jennisa Casillas
Admission Counselor
Contact Jennisa Casillas

From a young age, Jennisa has always valued education, and she received her B.A. in Sociology with a double minor in Applied Psychology and Education from UC Santa Barbara. She is thrilled to be part of the LMU family where she looks forward to providing support to students, especially in the First-gen community. Jennisa is passionate about effecting positive change in her community while also being a support system that fosters all students' success. On her free time, you can find her going to hot yoga, pilates, concerts, or spending time with her friends and family.

Territories: California (Central Coast/Santa Barbara area, Central Valley, Hollywood & Wilshire, Covina & West Covina, Riverside, San Bernardino & Ontario and Greater Imperial Valley)

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Nathan Faust
Admission Counselor
Contact Nathan Faust

Nathan Faust is a proud Loyola Marymount alum, earning his B.A. in English in 2019. Born and raised in Portland, OR, he came to Los Angeles looking for adventure, and found it the first moment he stepped onto the LMU campus. After short stints in finance and ghostwriting, he is back home as an Admissions Counselor, passionately introducing future Lions to the Bluff. Outside of work, Nathan sits on the board of an open adoption agency, loves to cook both in the kitchen and on the basketball court, and travels whenever he gets the chance.

Territories: California (East & West San Fernando Valley), Oregon, Washington


Brian Felix
Admission Counselor
Contact Brian Felix

Brian is an LMU graduate with his degree in Business Administration. He has a variety of experiences in the fields of fire administration, fitness, and business. He spent two years in Japan with his family teaching English at public elementary schools. In his spare time he loves to be outside swimming, biking and running. Brian loves to read, listen to music and spend time with his family.

Territories: Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming

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Reginaldo "Reggie" Golightly
Admission Counselor
Contact Reggie Golightly

Reggie Golightly is a proud alum of LMU, having received his Bachelor of Arts in Screenwriting with a Business Administration minor. Ever since he joined the LMU Pre-College Summer Program following his Sophomore year in high school, he found his place on the bluff. As a student, Reggie was involved in the Delta Kappa Alpha professional cinematic arts fraternity, LMU Storytellers of Color, Black Student Union, Harambee Mentorship, and Black at LMU; as well as working with the LMU Pre-College Summer Programs and Orientation. 

Now, his passion for bringing community together leads him back to the bluff as an Admission Counselor, where he helps students tell their own stories and find their home as Lions! 

Territories: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, South Carolina and CA-20 South Bay (select schools). 

Chelsea Passamano
Admission Counselor
Contact Chelsea Passamano

Chelsea received her Bachelor’s in Business Administration and 200 hour Teacher Training Certificate within the Yoga and Healing Sciences Program at Loyola Marymount University. In her free time she enjoys teaching yoga at a farmer’s market, spending time in nature and traveling. 

Territories: Arizona, California (Whittier, Orange County, Anaheim, Santa Ana)

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Elizabeth Waner
Admission Counselor
Contact Elizabeth Waner

Elizabeth Waner received her B.A. in Education Sciences with a minor in Sociology at the University of California, Irvine. She completed her M.A. in Higher Education Administration at Loyola Marymount University. Prior to joining LMU, she worked in college access and success in the South and East Los Angeles areas. As a first-generation Latinx college graduate, Elizabeth prioritizes addressing issues of inequity in education and providing a holistic, social justice-oriented approach when working with students and families. She is excited to continue this work at LMU while supporting all prospective students! In her free time, Elizabeth enjoys hiking and spending time with her family, friends, and dogs.

Territories: California (East LA), New Mexico, Texas, South Los Angeles

 Transfer

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Gicel Martell de Zardeneta
Director of Transfer Admission and Enrollment Services
Contact Gicel Martell de Zardeneta

Gicel is a trailblazing first-generation college student fueled by her passion for higher education and commitment to helping transfer students succeed. Born in Mexico City and raised on the eastside of Los Angeles, Gicel paved her own path toward academic success.

Gicel has become an advocate for transfer students by sharing her experiences and triumphs. She is dedicated to helping students navigate the challenges of transferring to a new school. However, Gicel's interests extend beyond education. She enjoys running, practicing yoga, and traveling to gain fresh perspectives that enrich and broaden her horizons.

Running and yoga provide Gicel with physical well-being and clarity that carries over into all aspects of her life. Through her travels, Gicel gains new experiences that inspire her and help her to empower others. Her unwavering dedication to higher education, empathetic approach to supporting transfer students, and love for running, yoga, and travel make her a dynamic individual who inspires those around her.

Charles Mason
Associate Director
Contact Charles Mason

Charles Mason serves as an Associate Director of Transfer Admission. He received his B.A. of Ethnic Studies and Political Science from California State University, Los Angeles. Charles has shown demonstrated commitment to advocacy for social justice and the mentorship of young people throughout his career. He enjoys his work in Transfer Admission because it is the perfect blend of challenge, change, and helping others.

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Matthew Mangione
Assistant Director
Contact Matthew Mangione

Matthew Mangione is a proud transfer alumnus of Loyola Marymount University, earning his B.A. in Theatre Arts in 2018. While not originally from Los Angeles, Matthew fell in love with the city while at LMU and now considers it his home. He always advocated for and supported transfers as a student and continues that work as the Assistant Director for Transfer Admission & Enrollment Services. In his spare time, he enjoys going for walks, playing tennis, cooking new recipes, and relaxing at the beach with friends.

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Karen Arizmendi
Admission Specialist
Karen Arizmendi

Karen Arizmendi earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Bachelor of Arts in Spanish at the University of La Verne. She graduated with a Master of Arts in Guidance and Counseling from Loyola Marymount University in 2023. Having worked as part of the LMU admission team for some time, she is excited for the opportunity to now directly assist transfer students and be an additional support for them. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, going to concerts, and going on walks.

 International

 

Dan Marschner
Director of International Admission
Contact Dan Marschner

Dan Marschner has worked at LMU since 2016 and received his Ph. D. from the University of Cincinnati with a focus on the cultural acclimation process for international students to the U.S. As a student, Dan participated in classes in Australia, Italy, and Nicaragua, and lived in Chile for two and a half years where he worked as a Jesuit Volunteer after completing a bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Xavier University. He also holds a Master’s Degree in International Political Economy and Development from Fordham University. He enjoys meeting with students from around the world who want to learn more about LMU. 

Christie Culp
Assistant Director
Contact Christie Culp

Christie Culp earned her bachelor’s degree in Intercultural Communication at Pepperdine University and studied abroad as an international student. She went on to complete a master’s degree in Italian Literature at UCLA, where she discovered a love for working with students. Christie has enjoyed working with international students since 2012 and currently serves as the Assistant Director of International Admission and Outreach at Loyola Marymount. In her free time, she enjoys playing fetch with her Italian greyhound, learning languages and traveling to obscure locations.

Paul Kim
International Admission Counselor
Contact Paul Kim

Paul Kim serves as an International Admission Counselor at Loyola Marymount University. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania and worked abroad in education for three years in Shanghai. He completed his master's degree in education policy at Teachers College, Columbia University focusing on K-12 and higher education. Paul is now back in his hometown of Los Angeles and after working extensively with international students in China and New York, Paul continues to work with this vibrant community at LMU.

Veronica Marinez

Veronica Mariñez
International Admission Counselor
Contact Veronica Marinez

Veronica “Ronni” Mariñez serves as an International Admission Counselor at Loyola Marymount University. She received her B.A. in Communication Studies from California State University, Long Beach where she studied abroad as an international student. She completed her M.A. in Higher Education Administration from LMU’s School of Education where she furthered her passion of working with international students. As an LMU alumna, she is excited to introduce prospective students to LMU. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her loved ones, exploring new places, and playing her ukulele.