By Nathalie Jimenez, Assistant Dean of Admissions
Hello, everyone! My name is Nathalie Jimenez, and I am an Assistant Dean of Admissions at Pomona College. I’ve been at Pomona for two years and have had the honor of leading our virtual programming initiatives for the past year and a half.
Our virtual programming offers a variety of engaging opportunities—educational webinars led by admissions officers, student-led Zoom conversations through From the Nest, and our beloved blog, Sagehen Stories. Through our virtual programming, we aim to offer a rich, immersive experience that highlights everything Pomona College has to offer. From academic life to campus culture and community, we provide meaningful insights to help you explore Pomona from wherever you are.
Our goal is to give you a deeper understanding of what makes Pomona unique while equipping you with the resources and knowledge needed to determine if it’s the right fit for you.
In addition to overseeing our virtual programming efforts within the office, I also co-supervise our academic year interns and summer fellows alongside my esteemed colleague, Senior Assistant Dean of Admissions, Kenia Alfaro. A major part of my role involves reading, revising, editing, and posting their incredible stories here—and this summer is no exception.
Summer is always an exciting time on campus! Sunny days, enthusiastic summer fellows, and inspiring stories are waiting to be shared! I’m thrilled to introduce the five talented students who will be writing for Sagehen Stories this summer:
Left to right: Emmanuel Coates, Alissa Martin, Michael Nash, Ricardo Camacho, and Carlineissa Jean Francois
Emmanuel (Manny) Coates ‘27 – Manny is an intended politics and Public Policy Analysis double major from Detroit, Michigan. If you’re looking for Manny, his room is definitely not the place to check! He’s often out and about across the 5Cs, whether he’s studying with friends, relaxing by the pools, or simply having a great time. When he’s not on campus, you might find him on one of his many jobs: assisting the elderly at the Claremont Manor Retirement Community, practicing as a Legal Assistant at Taylor Simonson & Winter, wandering around campus giving a tour, or maybe he’s embarking on a new adventure with his friends. Manny thrives in the sunny weather, so if the sun is out, so is he! Manny’s vibrant and eccentric personality shines through in everything he does, and he’s excited to share that energy with future Pomona students.
Alissa Martin ‘27 – Returning for a second summer, Alissa is majoring in psychological science and is from Chicago, Illinois. On campus, you can find her in the admissions office conducting tours or supporting our visitors at the front desk. She is also a Resident Advisor and was previously a sponsor in Mudd. Outside of campus, Alissa volunteers at Priceless Pet Rescue–a local animal orphanage where she spends her time sharing her love with the pups and kitties searching for their forever home. She enjoys spending her free time walking through the Claremont Village and watching movies in theatre and in the comfort of her bed.
Michael Nash ‘27 – Wondering where Michael is throughout the day? As a theatre major from Chicago, IL, he’s most likely preparing for a theatre course or his next audition. His favorite class so far was audition technique because it further prepared him for the tv and film audition process. The relationships he built and challenging material the class learned was on the reasons Michael chose to study at Pomona and come to California. Outside of that, Michael is a Residential Advisor and participates in the Black Student Union (BSU) on campus. And if you still can’t find him, odds are he’s at the Center for Athletics, Recreation, and Wellness (CARW) working out or playing basketball. Michael can probably tell you all the activities and resources available to students at CARW from memory.
Ricardo Camacho ‘27 – An intended economics and politics major from Rancho Cucamonga, California, Ricardo stays true to his Californian roots, you’d likely spot Ricardo somewhere along the sunny coast, sipping on an iced matcha latte or enjoying spontaneous drives to LA while blasting his latest ensemble of Taylor Swift, Rex Orange County, and Lizzy McAlpine. On campus, Ricardo proudly embraces being a total drama queen as a witness for Pomona College Mock Trial, chit-chatting with peeps at the Coop Fountain, grabbing dinner with friends in FLI Scholars, or exploring his not-so-great artistic side at the Hive! Amidst political readings and Econ problem sets, you can also catch Ricardo window-shopping through the Claremont Village or romanticizing his life with fellow Blaisdell mates as they watch their favorite rom-coms.
Carlineissa (Carli) Jean Francois ‘27 – An international relations major from Miami, Florida, Carlineissa can be found in her dorm with her head in a book, watching K-drama, or dancing like no one is watching. Outside of being a tour guide, she is on the Model United Nations team, on the E-Board of the Black Student Union, and a Posse Scholar. She also has an interest in economics and is a member of Sagehen Capital Management. She has also worked alongside Draper to host their annual Youth Conference, participating in planning and leading student workshops. In her free time, she likes to explore the city and try new food places with her friends. During the weekends she enjoys spending time in Claremont village and visiting her favorite Boba shops.
Starting next week, their experiences and voices will take center stage on our blog! They will also be supporting our webinars and hosting From the Nest, where they’ll be available to answer your questions live. If you visit Pomona College, they’ll take you on a tour of campus and share their favorite spots! Don’t hesitate to say hello and let them know you’ve been following their stories.
We have many adventures ahead, so be sure to follow along as we showcase all that Pomona College, Claremont, and California have to offer. This blog has evolved in incredible ways and I’m excited for what’s ahead this summer so stay tuned for all the amazing experiences and unforgettable Sagehen Stories!