Meet Your Counselor
Our Admissions Counselors are ready to meet you! Find them at college fairs, visiting your school—or get in touch with them here. Questions about graduate, undergraduate and transfer admissions? Need help in planning your campus visit? We’re happy to help.
Sabrina Taylor, MA
Associate Vice President of Admissions
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Languages Spoken: English
As the Associate Vice President of Admissions at Woodbury University, Sabrina provides senior level leadership to the recruitment, admission and enrollment initiatives across all student populations for Woodbury University.
Sabrina has more than 20 years of experience in higher education, non-profits, enrollment management and marketing. She holds a BS in Fashion Marketing and a Masters in Organizational Leadership from Woodbury University. In her free time, you can find Sabrina trying to get through her reading list for the year, binge watching old X-Files and Twin Peaks episodes on Netflix or heading to the closest live music venue.
‘I want to live in a world where education is available for anyone who wants it.’
Elizabeth de la Cruz, MA
Director of Admissions
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Languages Spoken: English
Programs: Readmission Students, Certificate Programs
As a Native Angeleno, I am a product of private school education, having attended private school from K-12th grade, so I know from experience how valuable a private school learning environment is. When it came time for college, I wanted to experience what it was like to attend a larger, public institution and found a home at California State University, Long Beach where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Though I loved my college experience, I missed the intimate, smaller setting of a private school and pursued private school graduate programs. Woodbury was the ideal institution for me with its amazing history, dedication to civic engagement, and their focus on providing a quality student experience. I completed a Masters in Organizational Leadership at Woodbury and it quite frankly changed my life in countless, wonderful ways!
I have had the privilege of working in education for over 15 years. During this time, I’ve worked with students as young as elementary school all the way up to post-doctoral and working professionals. As the Director of Admissions, I provide support and leadership for our Admissions Team to ensure the best possible experience for the students we work with during the Admissions process. As a first-generation student and woman of color, I am deeply passionate about helping all students navigate the college admissions process and finding their true college fit. I believe that higher education is an investment and is one of the few investments that increase in value over time.
Outside of Woodbury, you can find me reading a new book, brewing a cup of tea, watching a Lord of the Rings Marathon, or spending time with my rescue dog.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” —Nelson Mandela
CONTACT
Email [email protected] or text/call (818) 319 – 4721
Schedule a meeting
Lilian Castellanos, MA
Senior Admissions Counselor
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers/Ella
Languages Spoken: English and Spanish
Programs: Undergraduate First-Time Freshman Domestic Applicants: Animation + VFX, Fashion Design, Filmmaking, Game Art & Design and Graphic Design
I attended California State University, Northridge for both my undergraduate and graduate degrees. I received a B.S in Family Consumer Sciences and an M.A in Administration in Higher Education. Prior to joining Woodbury’s admissions team, I promoted higher education as a high school advising coordinator, assisting high school students with the transition from high school into college. I started my journey at Woodbury as a campus recruiter, where I promoted our campus and programs to both high school and community college students locally and out of state. Currently, I am the admissions counselor for five programs in the School of Media, Culture & Design: Animation + VFX, Fashion Design, Filmmaking, Game Art & Design, & Graphic Design.
“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do”. –Pele
CONTACT
Email [email protected] or call/text (818) 237 – 4046
Schedule a meeting
Cynthia Cifuentes, MA
Senior Transfer Admissions Counselor
Pronouns: She/Her/They
Languages Spoken: English and Spanish
Programs: All Undergraduate Domestic Transfer Applicants
Cynthia’s experience in higher education focuses on access to historically underserved students such as first-generation and low-income students. As a Coordinator for Upward Bound, a College Advisor at Birmingham Community Charter High School, and a first-generation student herself, Cynthia understands the challenges and benefits that come with attending a university. Cynthia holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Chicana and Chicano Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Master’s Degree in Chicana and Chicano Studies from California State University, Northridge. A California native, Cynthia enjoys snowboarding, painting, and spending time outdoors with her dog.
“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education.” –Martin Luther King, Jr
CONTACT
Email [email protected]
Text or call me: (818) 351-2157
Schedule a meeting
Brett Chin, M.Ed.
Graduate Admissions Counselor
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Languages Spoken: English
Programs: All Domestic and International Graduate Applicants
Born and raised in sunny Southern California, Brett has 20 years of experience in higher education, with roles in residence life, education abroad, and international and domestic admissions. He holds a BS in Business Administration from California State University, Northridge, and a Master’s in Education from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.
In his free time, you can find Brett running, gardening, trying new recipes and restaurants, or spending time with his family and dogs.
“With an education, you have everything you need to rise above all the noise and fulfill every last one of your dreams.” — Michelle Obama
CONTACT
Email [email protected] or call/text 818.659.9411
Ashley Ramsey, MM
Admissions Counselor
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Languages Spoken: English
Programs: Domestic and International Freshman Applicants: Accounting, BBA + MBA Accelerated Program, Fashion Marketing, Management, Marketing, Interdisciplinary Studies, Political Science, Public Safety Administration, and Psychology
I have been working on the Woodbury University Admissions team since June 2020 as a Campus Recruiter and an Admissions Counselor. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Centenary College of Louisiana and a Master’s degree in Choral Music from USC and have worked previously as a music educator in both middle school and high schools in Louisiana and California. I have worked with students of all ages, and I am thrilled to continue my work with high school students as an Admissions Counselor. I love meeting with prospective students and their families to help them discover their passions and find their home here at Woodbury University! When I’m not working I enjoy running, hiking, climbing, brushing up on Harry Potter trivia, and trying out new recipes!
“Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.” – Kofi Annan
CONTACT
Email [email protected] or call/text (818) 659-9409
Schedule a meeting
Jini Azad, MFA
Admissions Counselor
Pronouns: she/they
Languages Spoken: Bengali, Hindi
Programs: Domestic and International Freshman Applicants: Applied Computer Science – Media Arts, Architecture, Computer Information Systems, Computer Science in Data Analytics, Construction Management, Design Computation, Interior Design, Sustainable Practices
I am a visual artist and I have been working in the field of education and art administration for over 6 years. I moved to the United States from Saudi Arabia to pursue my higher education and grow as an artist. I received my undergraduate degree from California Institute of the Arts and obtained a Masters of Fine Arts from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. My journey with exploring Art throughout the globe and within various cultures has exposed me to the role it plays on a communal and multidisciplinary level. This inspired me to support the creative and professional growth of the community around me. Prior to Woodbury, I served as the Admissions & Visitor Experience Coordinator at my alma mater, CalArts, while continuing my practice as an artist.
Outside of Admissions Counseling, my work explores cultural identity, trauma and gender roles through surreal-expressionist paintings. I also enjoy exploring nature and am working on my getting my scuba diving license.
“Talent is a pursued interest. Anything you’re willing to practice, you can do” – Bob Ross
CONTACT
Email [email protected] or call/text (661) 765-8933