By Nathalie Jimenez, Assistant Dean of Admissions
Hi everyone! My name is Nathalie Jimenez. You might know me from a previous blog I wrote introducing our Summer Fellows, but I’ll reintroduce myself. I’m an Assistant Dean of Admissions here at Pomona College. I work with our student interns and handle all things related to virtual programming, including this blog. Today, I’m excited to share a bit about myself and why I work at Pomona Admissions.
Before joining Pomona, I worked at Ánimo Ralph Bunche Charter High School (ARB) in South Central, Los Angeles, as a College Success Advisor, a role that truly changed the trajectory of my life. Initially, it was just a job I took after graduating college during the pandemic. I had spent all four years of undergrad volunteering with students from underrepresented backgrounds in Trenton, NJ, helping with SAT prep, college essays, and the application process. So when the opportunity at ARB came along, it felt like the perfect fit, and it absolutely was. Each year, I learned more about college admissions and fell deeper in love with helping students navigate it.
Now, I get to continue that work at Pomona. When I think about why I do what I do, it comes down to five core values—the 5Cs of why I work at the Pomona College Office of Admissions.
Community
Pomona’s community is what makes this place special. My colleagues aren’t just coworkers, they’re friends, confidants, and collaborators. We support one another through challenges, celebrate wins, and share both personal and professional milestones. They challenge me every day to think critically about the work that we do and be the best version of myself for the students.
And then there are the students. I co-lead the student intern program with my colleague, Tray Hammond ’22, and it’s one of the most rewarding parts of my job. I get to mentor, laugh with, and learn from students as they grow through their college journeys. Their stories are why I show up to work every day. I want their undergraduate experience to be as positive and empowering as possible, and I’m honored to play a role in shaping it.
Care
Admissions at Pomona is rooted in care. It’s not just about selecting students, it’s about guiding them through a complex process, demystifying college admissions, and helping them find the right fit. Pomona may not be the perfect match for everyone, and that’s okay. My role as an educator is to help students discover the college that’s right for them out of more than 4,000 options!
Pomona’s small size is one of its greatest strengths. It allows us to truly know and care for our community and to connect meaningfully with students. Whether we’re reading applications, making decisions, or welcoming students to campus, everything we do is rooted in care. Every file we review is approached with thoughtfulness and respect for the student’s journey. The process of admitting students and designing programs to support their decisions is deeply intentional; it takes time, attention, and genuine care.
Creativity
My role allows me to tap into my creativity, especially in the virtual space. I’ve had the chance to rebrand promotional materials, PowerPoint presentations, this blog, Instagram posts, and more. I use my counseling background to design engaging, student-centered content. Creativity is essential to everything we do. I’ve even designed stickers for our virtual and campus programs, created websites, and managed the content students see across platforms.
Curiosity
The field of education is constantly evolving, and admissions is no exception. I’m intellectually stimulated by the work I do, whether I’m learning about K–12 trends, higher education innovations, community-based organizations, or emerging programs. Staying curious helps me better serve students and enrich the conversations I have with them. Part of my job is to remain informed, and I love digging deep into all things college to stay in the know. My curiosity in higher education has led me to pursue a Master’s in Education which I am currently completing.
Change
Last but certainly not least, I believe in the power of change, both big and small. Whether it’s helping a student get one step closer to their dream school or welcoming them to campus as an admitted student, I know I’m making an impact. Every interaction matters, and every student’s journey is a chance to create meaningful change.
I also know that a Pomona College education can be life-changing. Our students engage in incredible opportunities and are surrounded by a supportive, collaborative community that truly cares. That’s not something you find everywhere.
And with that, those are the 5Cs of why I’m grateful to be part of this work and this community. If you’re a prospective student, I hope you find your fit! And maybe, just maybe, it’s Pomona.
