Meet the Authors
Welcome to the SCU Admission Blog! Get behind the scenes to learn more about Santa Clara University and our application process. On the blog, our goal is to answer your pertinent questions and provide insight into the SCU student experience. Before we get started, we want to introduce you to our incredible admission staff, who both read your applications and write the blogs we invite you to read. Welcome to our world! We encourage you to embrace this crazy, exciting, and possibly overwhelming journey with us. We’re here to help you along the way!
Eva Blanco-Masias
Hometown: Venice Beach, CA
Alma Mater: Yale University, SCU
Year I Joined Undergraduate Admission: 2003
I Think SCU Is a Great University Because: true to our mission, we teach students to build a life of purpose where their efforts, talents, and ideas contribute to a better world.
Favorite Class in College: The Aztecs of Mexico
Hobbies & Interests: DJing for SCU Alumni, non-profits, friends and family, finding my zen with Bikram Yoga, and taking long walks (and vacations) with my husband and daughter (a hopeful Bronco, class of 2033).
Fun Fact: I received musical credit in the Romeo & Juliet movie (1996) and soundtrack for translating the song “Young Hearts Run Free” into Spanish.
Becky Konowicz
Hometown: Nuremberg, Germany/Cape Cod, MA
Alma Mater: DePauw University
Year I Joined Undergraduate Admission: 2013
I Think SCU Is a Great University Because: of its strong sense of community, clear values, and AMAZING students.
Favorite Class in College: Leadership & Responsibility (it was taught by the university president!)
Hobbies & Interests: traveling, hiking, cooking, skiing, and reading
Fun Fact: Between undergrad and grad school programs, I had the chance to study abroad in Australia and Mexico.
Danielle Wenzel Sandoval
Hometown: American Canyon, CA
Alma Mater: SCU
Year I Joined Undergraduate Admission: 2006
I Think SCU Is a Great University Because: it is my alma mater, and the relationships and friendships I have developed over the years have been such a huge part of who I am today. I have grown so much over my time at SCU as an undergrad, grad student, and employee.
Favorite Class in College: Buddhism
Hobbies & Interests: baking, cooking, wine tasting, watching sports (A's, Warriors, 49ers, Earthquakes, and SCU Broncos), crafting, family time with my kids and husband
Fun Fact: I am left-handed.
AJ Howell Williams
Hometown: San Jose, CA
Alma Mater: University of Puget Sound
Year I Joined Undergraduate Admission: 2006
I Think SCU Is a Great University Because: of its location, size, and community.
Favorite Class in College: Science, Technology, and Society
Hobbies & Interests: writing, reading, and working out
Fun Fact: I used to have hair!
Lorenzo Gamboa
Hometown: Aguilar, CO
Alma Mater: SCU, University of Arizona
Year I Joined Undergraduate Admission: 2005 (& again in 2010)
I Think SCU Is a Great University Because: the food, the people, the network, and, yes, the weather!
Favorite Class in College: Ceramics
Hobbies & Interests: boxing, being outdoors, working out, bulls & horses, star-gazing, DIY projects, spending time with my kids and family
Fun Fact: I graduated in the top 10 of my high school class! There were only 8 people in it :0)
Paola Garcia-Vega
Hometown: San Jose, CA
Alma Mater: SCU
Year I Joined Undergraduate Admission: 2014
I Think SCU Is a Great University Because: the people are genuinely caring and want to see you succeed.
Favorite Class in College: Communication, Development, and Social Change
Hobbies & Interests: going to the beach as much as possible, hiking, walking, and playing with my 12-year-old dog named DK
Fun Fact: I love dogs and hope to rescue as many as possible in the future.
Eryn Olson
Hometown: Torrance, CA
Alma Mater: SCU
Year I Joined Undergraduate Admission: 2016
I Think SCU Is a Great University Because: the community of students, staff, and faculty truly do care. Professors and staff members often go above and beyond in giving their time and energy to see students succeed. Plus, students are able to pursue their passions and big ideas with access to these knowledgeable, supportive mentors in conjunction with opportunities throughout the Silicon Valley and great Bay Area.
Favorite Class in College: The Science of Happiness
Hobbies & Interests: playing basketball, listening to live music, hiking, playing beach volleyball, spending time with family and friends, reading, eating frozen yogurt, doing paint-by-numbers, taking care of my cats Maybelline and Kiwi (although I'm a dog person too)
Fun Fact: The last final I ever took in college was a hip hop dance performance! And I am definitely not a dancer...
Claire Kreeft
Hometown: La Selva Beach, CA
Alma Mater: Boston College, UCLA
Year I Joined Undergraduate Admission: 2019
I Think SCU Is a Great University Because: there is a tangible emphasis on building community and faculty/staff focus on engagement.
Favorite Class in College: The Challenge of Justice
Hobbies & Interests: hiking, hand lettering, playing with pups
Fun Fact: I worked at a surf shop for 7 years, but I have never been surfing in my life!
Gerardo Miranda
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Alma Mater: UC Santa Cruz
Year I Joined Undergraduate Admission: 2019
I Think SCU Is a Great University Because: it has a great history, and there are committed alumni who are available to assist current students and help them persevere. Very often, a student can reach out to alumni and connect for professional development.
Favorite Class in College: Multivariable Calculus
Hobbies & Interests: cuddling with my dog and hitting the gym
Fun Fact: I love DIY projects.
Kendall Wulbrun
Hometown: Bloomington, IL
Alma Mater: Texas Chrsitian University
Year I Joined Undergraduate Admission: 2019
I Think SCU Is a Great University Because: it fosters an intentional, genuine, and supportive community committed to creating positive change through innovation and compassion for others. Plus, for someone from the Midwest, it's pretty hard to beat the weather!
Favorite Class in College: Empathy
Hobbies & Interests: cooking, baking, reading, watching college basketball, being active, and spending time outside and with friends and family
Fun Fact: I’ve lived in 5 states spanning the entire country (Illinois, Virginia, Alabama, Texas, and California!).
Maura Bonini
Hometown: San Jose, CA
Alma Mater: SCU
Year I Joined Undergraduate Admission: 2019
I Think SCU Is a Great University Because: of its Jesuit foundation and the incredible people who work, learn, and serve here.
Favorite Class in College: Fashion Issues and Politics of Gender
Hobbies & Interests: Animal Crossing, yoga, art, pop culture
Fun Fact: I lived in Swig as a baby!
Michaela Ahlstrom
Hometown: Scotts Valley, CA
Alma Mater: SCU, King’s College London
Year I Joined Undergraduate Admission: 2019
I Think SCU Is a Great University Because: the unique Jesuit focus on caring for the whole person, mind, body, and spirit, makes SCU a truly special place. Students, staff, and faculty are not treated like one dimensional beings but rather as people who are complex and deserve recognition in all aspects of life.
Favorite Class in College: Gender and Ethics
Hobbies & Interests: yoga, hiking, traveling, learning, painting, DIY projects
Fun Fact: My camp counselor name was Mary Poppins.
Randy Wang
Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts
Alma Mater: UC Davis, SCU
Year I Joined Undergraduate Admission: 2019
I Think SCU Is a Great University Because: the professors work hard to be accessible to students. I had a marketing professor call me back at 9:30 p.m. to talk about my marketing project!
Favorite Class in College: Negotiations (MBA class at SCU)
Hobbies & Interests: traveling, badminton, Lakers, and 49ers!
Fun Fact: I love participating in Santa Clara University’s intramural sports. I am the back-to-back champion in the badminton division =).
We hope you’ll follow along as our staff shares pieces of wisdom and advice about the college application process and highlights the incredible experiences and opportunities available at SCU. We can’t wait to keep writing and engaging with our prospective students! If there’s something you want to see on the blog, let us know by emailing Kendall Wulbrun at kwulbrun@scu.edu.
