Admission Counselors- They're Just Like Us!

Don't act like you don't recognize this posting's title from US Weekly. I won't judge you. This blog will be a take on that... so you can see that this crew who reads and makes decisions on your application is, in fact, just like you! I thought one aspect of showing how AC-TJLU would be showing you something that you all, the applicant, love to share with us: your extracurricular activities! That's right, every person on our staff here at Tulane does have a life outside of reading applications. We actually do some pretty cool stuff too. From stand up comediennes to dancers to fitness instructors, we really are just like you all. Here's a sampling of our admission staff and what they would list under the extracurricular activities section if we applied to college. 

Nora in Lagos, Portugal at a site called "Fin del Mundo"

Nora Colman; Eager Explorer – If I could only do one thing for the rest of my life, it would be to travel. I’ve been to 36 states in the US, 16 countries, and 4 continents. I also spent part of my Junior year abroad in Spain in a full language immersion program. No matter where I go, I try to have the most authentic experience possible -  whether it’s taking flamenco classes with my host mom in Spain, riding the commuter train from Amsterdam to Berlin, traveling through the canyons of Jordan on a camel, or even eating goat off a spit with a Moroccan family in Chefchaouen. One of my all-time favorite things about traveling is the amazing food I get to eat, from fresh gnocchi in Rome all the way to a good old Philly cheesesteak. I’m constantly updating my travel bucket list with new cities, countries, and of course, restaurants. Now that I’m an admission counselor at Tulane, I can combine my passion for travel with my love of Tulane! What more could you want?

Jill at Funny Bones Improv

Jill deRosas – Community Comedian, Although I am not quite brave enough to stand up on stage alone and perform like our office comedy professional, Laura Meagher, I am willing to embarrass myself with an improv group in front of children on a regular basis. I have always had a deep appreciation and respect for all things comedy and community service, so when I happened upon a non-profit group in New Orleans that combined these two, you can imagine I was hooked. Funny Bones Improv is a non-profit organization that promotes health and healing through laughter, as we go to local hospitals in New Orleans and perform short form improv comedy shows for pediatric patients and their families. I first happened upon the group as a work-study student at Tulane’s Center for Public Service, then decided to complete my second-tier service learning requirement through an internship with them, and now it’s been three years since I have completed the requirement and I still continue to do shows with them every week. Though you will not see me on Saturday Night Live any time soon, you can find me around the city pretending to be a robot valentine monkey on an epic vacation to Hawaii with my best friend Francis, a robot valentine gorilla as we try to capture a whale named Cinderella (you would be surprised the stories kids help you make up!)

Neill (and Laura!) with the TUMB. 

Neill Aguiluz- Marching Musician: Music has been a part of my life in one way or another since I was four years old. When I got to Tulane as a freshman, my plan was to join the orchestra and concert band, but I had sworn off marching band after high school. Naturally in my first week on campus, the band director convinced me to join the marching band. Four Mardi Gras parades later, I was hooked. The TUMB (specifically the mellophone section!) became such a central part of my life in college that I knew I had to be involved after graduation. I and a few fellow alumni worked to formalize our growing group, the TUMB Alumni Association. As its current president, I get to be heavily involved with music on a regular basis. Each homecoming we all come together to form the Alumni Band and perform at the game, every year we help the band produce Band Day for 500 or so middle and high school musicians, and we of course tailgate together before every football game. I still play French horn and violin, and New Orleans is such a great city to experience all kinds of music. I’m a sucker for anything live – from arena concerts and festivals to orchestral performances and hole-in-the-wall venues.

Rebecca... writin' stuff. 

Rebecca Greaves- Winsome writer: There is nothing better than taking my journal to Hi Volt Coffee and writing for hours on end over a delicious cup of hot tea.  I’ve kept a journal ever since I was eight years old when a family friend gave me a beautiful notebook with my favorite character from “Le Petit Prince” on the front. At the time, my family was living in Paris and my parents suggested that I write down everything I experience so that I could remember it later on. By the time I moved back to the States I had fallen in love with writing. Since then I have always kept my journal close at hand.  If I’m not at a coffee shop actually writing you may be able to find me at Scriptura perusing their new fountain pens and intricately decorated notebooks.

Owen and Adam (our Office Manager)
turned the flag football game between
their fraternities into a philanthropy
event last year

Owen Knight- football fiend: While I could tell y’all about my amazing 10-day trip to Iceland and newfound love for backpacking, that just wouldn’t be as accurate. Football is far and away my favorite thing. Whether it’s “ROLL WAVE”, “WHO DAT”, or “HAIL TO THE REDSKINS”, you’ll always find me cheering for my team. I practically cried tears of joy when Yulman Stadium opened on campus, and I love getting the chance to go to the Superdome for a Saints game. On any given Sunday (ha), you can find me watching all the games with my roommates, playing Madden, and managing my 7 fantasy football teams (I was a Management major, after all). Additionally, I love playing flag football to stay active. After an illustrious high school football career (0 career catches) I played and refereed intramural football as an undergrad- I’ve always loved played sports with my friends. I still play once a week with some other staff members and grad students. Wish us luck in the playoffs!

Daisy and I searching for the perfect apple!

Sarah Varner - Friendly foodie: When I tried to think of how to summarize my extracurricular activities, one word kept coming back to mind: food! It’s no secret to anyone who knows me that I love to eat, and much of the first few months I spent in New Orleans was spent compiling a list of local restaurants I had to try and food festivals I wanted to attend. However, my love of delicious food cannot be contained to the walls of a restaurant, and that’s why you’ll find me on the weekends at a farmer’s market, an apple orchard, a food truck, or in my own garden, tending to my tomatoes. Fortunately, this love of food extends past filling my own belly to benefitting my friends and coworkers, and I can be counted on to bring in all sorts of treats into the office, whether it’s my famous chocolate chip banana bread or a new recipe I found in the latest issue of Gourmet. If you ask me for restaurant recommendations in New Orleans, get ready: I might just pull out the list on my phone and go through the whole thing with you!

Here I am teaching! 

Jeff Schiffman - fitness fanatic: This office is a very health and fitness conscious group, myself included. I played sports in high school and college, and staying active and healthy has always been a big priority of mine. I've been doing triathlons for years (read about my Ironman here) and around two years ago, on a trip to LA, I fell in love. With a fitness class. For you NYC or LA folks, you're probably familiar with SoulCycle, the ever-popular indoor cycling class. I will usually take the class every day when I am in either of those cities. And when I am back here in NOLA? I teach our local version of it! Every week (specifically Thursdays at 5:30), you can find me jamming and sweating at Romney Pilates Center where I teach a class called RIDE which is the same concept as SoulCycle. If you ever want a serious workout, come to my class- you'll be glad you did. When I am not on the stationary bike, you'll often find me bringing the world of health and fitness to those who may not have the same opportunities that we do to stay in shape. The organization I am fully engaged with is Youth Run NOLA, which I have previously blogged about. I still run with them often. In fact, this past weekend I ran with my running buddy Skylar, now in 8th grade, and celebrated three years of running together. 

Laura getting the crowd in stitches 

Laura Meagher- funny female: This summer, I finally followed through with following through with a New Year’s resolution and started doing stand-up comedy. I’ve lived most of my life as if I were constantly on-stage in a comedy club, so I thought YOLO (you only laugh once…at my jokes) and got my act together. I’ve been loving every minute of it- it’s ALMOST as exhilarating as giving an information session at your high school (but not quite!). There is even a spot near campus, Carrollton Station, where a few current Tulanians go to fish for LOLs. I also take improv classes down in the Marigny at the NewMovement theater, which was recently featured on Jeff’s blog as well. Here is an artsy (blurry) picture of me at Carrollton Station over the summer. You can’t see any audience members, but rest assured that none of them can breathe they’re laughing so hard.

Andrew and Miss Vera

Paul Burgess exceptional equestrian- I enjoy horseback riding, and most things equestrian. I also like Southern charm and formality, but don’t get the wrong picture here. I love my horse and have a great time at my barn, but it’s more Gatorade than champagne, and my horse is more Eeyore than Rafalca. Miss Vera is the name of the horse I share with a friend. As a rescue horse she was first named Big Mama, and although this is a somewhat accurate description, Miss Vera seems to suit her much better. Competing and jumping are great, but I also just enjoy a ride along the Mississippi on the levee. If you ever see us on the levee, shout “hello” and I’ll be happy to return with a tip of my cap and a regal wave.

Rachel and her kids

Rachael Thompson- driven dancer: I grew up performing on competitive dance teams (think Dance Moms, but with more sequins), and then in college, I joined a pre-professional dance company.  When I arrived in New Orleans, I knew that I wanted to continue dancing and that I was now ready to take the lead.  So, this past summer, I taught a dance class for 1^st-6^th graders at a local camp.  We did a little bit of everything: jazz, hip hop, even some Latin moves, which were demanded by my kids who were all big fans of Dancing with the Stars.  Now, as a staff member at Tulane, I am so glad that I can maintain my passion for dance on campus.  I love taking dance fitness classes like Zumba at the Reily Recreation Center, and I also enjoy attending the dance department’s incredible shows each semester.  I always say this, but it really is true that Tulane is at the center of New Orleans’s thriving arts culture.  I can think of no better way to get involved in dance and music than as a member of the Tulane family.

How cool are Morgan's shelves! Recognize that shape?

Morgan England, shelf supplier: Like everybody else in this amazing city, I absolutely LOVE New Orleans! So one year ago, my husband Topher and I started England River Shelves, functional wall-mounted shelves in the shape of the Mississippi River as it winds its way around New Orleans. We've expanded the business to now include holiday ornaments in the same signature river shape as well as custom made furniture. While Topher handles the carpentry side of the business, I contribute to the company's creative direction and finish shelves, furniture, and ornaments. The company has grown quickly; you can even find a 16 foot river shelf behind the counter at Manhattan Jack a popular bakery on Prytania street Uptown. England River Shelves has also participated in White Linen Night and a silent auction for AIA New Orleans. Check out our work here: www.rivershelves.com

Valerie Zumba-ing

Valerie Calenda- healthy human: I sincerely love taking care of myself. Now I know that sounds kind of selfish! What I mean is that I like to take care of myself and make healthy choices that make me feel great knowing that when I feel good, I am a better person. I can then better care for my family and loved ones and be a better admission counselor of course! I  absolutely love cooking fresh meals for dinner.  I started with cookbooks and recipes from my mother years ago and now tend to create dishes as I go.  We’re lucky to have some great grocery stores with fresh and organic produce in Tulane’s uptown neighborhood which makes grocery shopping a joy.  I am human though and do not eat 100% healthy all the time – sweet potato fries and dark chocolate are two of my favorites.  You’ll also find me staying active by taking classes like PiYo (pilates + yoga) or Tabata at Tulane’s gym or walking or jogging in Audubon Park which happens to be across the street from the Admission Office and not too far from my house.  I love our uptown neighborhood and the fact that I always see people I know at the gym, the Park, or the grocery store so you get to know people and feel like you’re part of a close knit community.

There you have it, folks! Hope you enjoyed getting to know a little bit more about what makes your admission counselor just like you.

Owen and his dad, Chris (Tulane ’71), at the opening game at Yulman Stadium

Morgan's shelves in action.

Rachael, Best Dance Teacher!