Meet Princeton!

For his inaugural podcast episode, new "Meet Princeton!" host Esteban Aguas ’19, assistant dean of admission, speaks with Allen Nieva ’26 and Sukaina Shivji ’26 about their experiences being admitted to Princeton through the QuestBridge National College Match. QuestBridge is a national nonprofit whose goal is to connect lower-income and first-generation students with partner colleges and universities throughout the country. Since 2006, Princeton’s partnership with QuestBridge has allowed the University to reaffirm itscommitment to providing a top-quality education to students from a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds. In that time, Princeton has "matched" with hundreds of scholars.We invite you to join the conversation to hear the students’ stories and learn how Princeton supports first-generation and lower income students on our campus.

About "Meet Princeton!"

Host:Esteban Aguas ’19, assistant dean of admission

Producers:Esteban Aguas and Mary Buckley, associate dean, strategic communications,Office of Admission
Editor/Sound Engineer:Nick Donnoli, Orangebox Productions
Sound Engineer:Molly Trueman ’24
Logo Design:Esteban Aguas

The theme music to our podcast was created by Molly Trueman ’24

Co-host Bryant Blount ’08 talks to the Ford Family Director of Athletics John Mack ’00 about his return to Princeton, how being an athlete shaped his own life as an award-winning student-athlete, and how intentional listening is foundational to shaping Princeton teams. Join the conversation to learn how Princeton is unique in offering a well-rounded student experience for its athletes.

About John Mack '00

John Mack ’00 has been the Ford Family Director of Athletics at Princeton University since September of 2021 after previously having been an award-winning student-athlete, coach and administrator for the Tigers.

Mack returned to Princeton as the AD after having worked in the athletic departments at Princeton, the Big Ten Conference and Northwestern University, and he had most recently spent the last decade in the legal field as a practicing lawyer after graduating in 2014 from Northwestern Law School with cum laude honors. Mack’s accomplishments while in law school included being Associate Editor of Northwestern’s Journal of Law and Social Policy and Education Chair of the school’s Black Law Students’ Association. His legal practice focused on complex commercial litigation and products liability cases, and he is admitted to practice in state and federal court in Michigan.

A 2000 William Winston Roper Trophy recipient as the top male senior student-athlete at Princeton, Mack captained the men’s track and field team during his time competing for the Tigers. As one of the best sprinters in program history, Mack helped Princeton top three straight Ivy League Heptagonal “Triple Crowns,” sweeping every league track and field and cross country championship from fall 1997 through spring of 2000. An ordained pastor, Mack most recently served as pastor at the Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in New Haven, Mich.

Mack and his wife Dr. Alleda Mack ’99, are the parents of Jacobi, Jabari, and Anaiah.

About "Meet Princeton!" 

Co-Hosts: Vivian Slee, senior assistant dean of admission, Bryant Blount ’08, assistant dean of undergraduate students and manager of strategic communications, and Emma Parish ’19, admission officer
Producers: Vivian Slee and Mary Buckley, associate dean, strategic communications, Office of Admission
Editor/Sound Engineer: Nick Donnoli, Orangebox Productions 
Sound Engineer: Molly Trueman ’24
Logo Design: Esteban Aguas ’19, assistant director

The theme music to our podcast was created by Molly Trueman ’24

How might your Princeton Journey begin? The Novogratz Bridge Year Program is a nine-month tuition-free global service learning program in one of six different countries for newly admitted undergraduate students. From a suburb of Detroit to India and from Morristown, New Jersey, to Senegal, Leila Owens and Nicole Williams — both class of 2023 — tell us about their amazing experiences abroad teaching and working with an NGO, about favorite foods and changing perspectives and how they transitioned back to campus at Princeton.

In this special episode, we are joined by Princeton Class of 2019 graduate Jordan Salama who wrote his senior thesis about the people and places along Colombia’s main river, the Magdalena. After graduation, he expanded his thesis into the celebrated nonfiction book “Every Day the River Changes: Four Weeks Down the Magdalena,” which has been selected as this year’s Pre-read. The book will inspire first-years to imagine the many ways to pursue their passions while at Princeton. He is interviewed by admission officer and classmate Emma Parish of the Great Class of 2021. 

About Jordan Salama:

Jordan Salama is a writer for National Geographic whose essays and stories also appear regularly in the New York Times and other publications. His first book, “Every Day the River Changes,” was published in 2021 and named one of Kirkus Reviews' top books of the year. Follow him on Instagram: @jordansalama19.

Welcome to another academic year and a new season of “Meet Princeton!” Today, we have a very special episode. Service is core to Princeton’s mission. In fact, the University’s unofficial motto is “In the Nation’s Service and the Service of Humanity.” So, instead of hearing from Vivian and Bryant, we hand the mic over to two student correspondents in the John H. Pace Jr. ’39 Center for Civic Engagement: Christine Shin ’25 and Isabella Gomes ’25. Christine and Isabella share a bit about how why they became involved in the Pace Center and interview two student-volunteers Ana Blanco ’23 and Hannah Bein ’22, each of whom pursue significant service work that aligns with their academic and extracurricular interests.

We’d like to thank Gianna Melchionda ’24 and Savannah Pobre ’23 for their help in producing the episode, along with Gwen McNamara, assistant director for communications, Pace Center, for her partnership on the project.

Alex Bustin ’08, senior associate dean, director of transfer, military, and international admission, joins host Vivian Slee to discuss the University’s announcement to grow its transfer population from 40 currently enrolled students to approximately 100. And from the archives, a conversation with one transfer undergraduate student, Beianka Tomlinson, on choosing Princeton and her internship experience as a premedical student.   

View the transcript.

About Alex Bustin '08

Alex Bustin is Senior Associate Dean of Undergraduate Admission and Director of Transfer, International, and Military/Veteran Admission at Princeton University. Originally from New Jersey, he grew up in Belgium before relocating back to his home state, and receiving his A.B. in chemistry from Princeton University, followed by his master of education from Harvard University. He has worked in Princeton's Office of Admission since 2009, and has served as primary coordinator of recruitment and admission for transfer and military/veteran students since 2016. He also oversaw the recent reinstatement of the transfer admission process at Princeton, which seeks to enroll students from lower-income backgrounds, U.S. military veterans and community college students. In addition to his professional work with veteran students, he is proud of the service members in his family, including his sister who served honorably in the U.S. Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

About Beianka Tomlinson '24

Beianka Tomlinson moved from Jamaica to the Unite States three years ago and attended Union County College in New Jersey before transferring to Princeton. She plans to concentrate in chemistry and is also thinking about getting certificates in either African American Studies, Global Health and Health Policy, or Spanish. Her interests are mainly focused around providing access to a better quality of life for marginalized children and people of color. More specifically, she is passionate about helping low-income, Black children receive the best education and the best healthcare options. As such, she is involved in advising underrepresented high school students on the college application process, and also participates in clinical research that aims to lessen racial healthcare disparities. This semester, she is a mentor in the Transfer Mentorship Program for new transfer students.

 

About Beianka Tomlinson '24

Beianka Tomlinson moved from Jamaica to the United States three years ago and attended Union County College in New Jersey before transferring to Princeton. She plans to concentrate in chemistry and is also thinking about getting certificates in either African American Studies, Global Health and Health Policy, or Spanish. Her interests are mainly focused around providing access to a better quality of life for marginalized children and people of color. More specifically, she is passionate about helping lower-income, Black children receive the best education and the best healthcare options. As such, she is involved in advising underrepresented high school students on the college application process, and also participates in clinical research that aims to lessen racial healthcare disparities. This semester, she is a mentor in the Transfer Mentorship Program for new transfer students.

About "Meet Princeton!"

Co-Hosts: Vivian Slee, senior assistant dean of admission, and Bryant Blount '08, assistant dean of undergraduate students and manager of strategic communications
Producers: Vivian Slee and Mary Buckley, associate dean, strategic communications, Office of Admission
Editor/Sound Engineer: Nick Donnoli, Orangebox Productions 
Sound Engineer: Molly Trueman '24
Logo Design: Esteban Aguas '19, admission officer

The theme music to our podcast was created by Molly Trueman '24. Molly plans on majoring in music with a potential certificate in Applications of Computing. Outside of class, she is part of Glee Club, Chamber Choir, and the Tigressions, a contemporary all-female a cappella group. While she has been practicing voice and piano since age six, within the past year—especially during quarantine—she has become more passionate about songwriting and music production, leading her to create music for this podcast.

 

On this Veterans Day, we share with you Kaller Roemer’s story. A U.S. Army veteran and member of Princeton’s Class of 2023, Kaller talks about his winding path to the armed forces, family support and how he focused in on Princeton. His interview marks our fourth episode of season two and our final one for the semester. We hope you are inspired by Kaller's story and others. Thanks for listening.

About Kaller Roemer:

Kaller Roemer ’23 is president of both Princeton Student Veterans and the Ivy League Veterans Council. Before coming to Princeton, he served in the U.S. Army as an Infantryman with the 10th Mountain Division and deployed to Iraq as a Fire-Team Leader. He is studying Political Economy and Entrepreneurship and is involved with the Princeton Entrepreneurship Club and the Princeton Golf Club. Kaller is excited to continue to advocate for veteran representation in academia and provide resources for enlisted student-veterans entering their professional career. Kaller is interested in pursuing a career in business and finance and is supported by his wife, Jessica.

Show Notes:

• Princeton Veterans Alumni Association PVETS 
• Princeton Student Veterans Association 
• Campus Veterans Day Service 
• ROTC Tiger Battalion 
• Alex Bustin, senior associate dean, director of Transfer, Military and International Admission, can be reached at [email protected].
• Yellow Ribbon Program 
• Service to School 
• Warrior Scholar Project 
• Leadership Scholar Program 
• Reunions  
• Academic Advising  
• The Ivy Eating Club 
• James Madison Program
• Emma Bloomberg Center for Access and Opportunity 
• 501(c)(3) Ivy League Veterans Council
• Veterans Suicide Hotline  (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)
• Veterans Homeless Programs  (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)

About "Meet Princeton!"

Co-Hosts: Vivian Slee, senior assistant dean of admission, and Bryant Blount '08, assistant dean of undergraduate students and manager of strategic communications
Producers: Vivian Slee and Mary Buckley, associate dean, strategic communications, Office of Admission
Editor/Sound Engineer: Nick Donnoli, Orangebox Productions 
Sound Engineer: Molly Trueman '24
Logo Design: Esteban Aguas '19, admission officer

The theme music to our podcast was created by Molly Trueman '24. Molly plans on majoring in music with a potential certificate in Applications of Computing. Outside of class, she is part of Glee Club, Chamber Choir, and the Tigressions, a contemporary all-female a cappella group. While she has been practicing voice and piano since age six, within the past year—especially during quarantine—she has become more passionate about songwriting and music production, leading her to create music for this podcast.

What does it take to be a leader? Christian Potter ’22 thought about this a fair amount during the last few years. It wasn't until he stepped into the role of president of Undergraduate Student Government (USG) during a pandemic that he truly understood the qualities needed to get the job done. Tune in to learn about Christian’s year of leading, listening and learning.

 

About Christian Potter '22

Christian is a senior from the Washington, D.C., area concentrating in the School of Public and International Affairs. He is a Peer Academic Advisor in Mathey College, a member of the club tennis team, and an undergraduate fellow of the Center for International Security Studies. He also serves as the President of the Undergraduate Student Government and recently joined Orange Key.

View the transcript.

Show Notes:
 

• Peer Academic Adviser
• Mathey College
• Residential College Adviser (RCA)
• Zee Group
• School of Public and International Affairs
• The Precept System
• Undergraduate Student Government
• McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning
• The Writing Center
• Outdoor Action
• Community Action
• Tigers in Town
• Princeton’s need-based financial aid program

It's National Transfer Student Week!  In this episode, we hear from Alejandro Garcia, a member of the Class of 2022, about the many factors he considered in determining his educational path and how a service-focused curriculum has shaped his Princeton experience. But first, Dr. Keith Shaw, director of transfer, veteran and non-traditional student programs in the Emma Bloomberg Center for Access and Opportunity, offers an overview of the support and resources available to transfer students and his own advising role within the programs.

Princeton's Transfer program, which was reinstated in 2018, looks for a small group of exceptionally well-prepared students from a range of backgrounds, and we particularly encourage applications from students from low-income backgrounds, community college students, and U.S. military veterans.

About Alejandro Garcia '22

Alejandro Garcia is a politics concentrator pursuing certificates in Latin American studies and American studies at Princeton University. As a member of the second group of transfer students admitted to Princeton, Garcia holds an associate in arts degree from the Miami Dade Honors College in political science. Prior to transferring, Garcia was recognized as the top transfer student in Florida and among the top ten transfer students in the nation as a Hites Transfer Scholar, All-USA Academic Team Scholar, and New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar. He was also recognized with the Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, the most prestigious transfer scholarship recognition. Garcia’s professional and research interests lie in the intersection between law and political institutions, as he aspires to improve access to civil rights, education, and professional opportunities for underdeveloped and underrepresented Hispanic communities. At Princeton, he serves as a co-founder and president of the Princeton Transfer Association, a student organization focused on representing, advocating, and improving Princeton's non-traditional student and transfer experience.

About Dr. Keith Shaw

Dr. Keith Shaw is the Director of Transfer, Veteran and Non-Traditional Student Programs. A native New Jerseyan, he earned his B.A. in history at Rutgers, and his doctorate in political science at Stanford. At Princeton, Keith teaches the transfer cohort’s Writing Seminar, “Everyone’s an Expert,” along with the academic writing curriculum for the Warrior-Scholar Project.

Welcome back! We're excited to roll out our next season of the admission podcast "Meet Princeton!" In celebration of the new school year, we invite two very special guests to the show. Jill Dolan, dean of the college, and W. Rochelle Calhoun, vice president for campus life, are responsible for shaping the academic and social experiences at Princeton. They sit down in conversation to discuss the challenges—and opportunities—in the year ahead.

Jill Dolan is the senior officer responsible for Princeton’s undergraduate academic program. All matters relating to the curriculum, academic advising, academic regulations and scholastic standing fall under her aegis. Dean Dolan also oversees the Offices of Admission and Undergraduate Financial Aid, the Registrar, the Office of International Programs, the Program in Teacher Preparation, the Princeton Writing Program, the Princeton University Preparatory Program, the McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning, the Freshman Scholars Institute, the Program of Freshman Seminars, the Scholars Institute Fellows Program, Health Professions Advising, the Program in Community Engaged Scholarship, the Office of Undergraduate Research, and the residential colleges.

Dean Dolan is the Annan Professor in English, and a professor of theatre studies in the Lewis Center for the Arts. She served for six years as the director of Princeton’s Program in Gender and Sexuality Studies, and is a faculty affiliate of the Program in American Studies. She holds a PhD in performance studies from New York University.

W. Rochelle Calhoun has administrative oversight for matters that help to shape the student experience at Princeton, including athletics and campus recreation, career services, health services, religious life, diversity and inclusion, residential life, service and student activities.

She began her career in college administration while still a graduate student at Columbia University working with Playwrights Horizon Theatre to coordinate curricular and co-curricular programs for their NYU students. She joined her alma mater, Mount Holyoke College, as an assistant dean of students responsible for working with students of color and cultural organizations. She held several other student affairs positions at Mount Holyoke, including director of diversity and inclusion, associate dean of the college and acting dean of the college, before joining Skidmore College, where she served as dean of students and vice president for student affairs. She came to Princeton in 2015.

Currently, Rochelle serves on the McCarter Theatre Center Board of Trustees and The Paul Robeson House Advisory Committee in Princeton, New Jersey.  She also serves on the Corporation Visiting Committee for the Division of Student Life at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Previously, Rochelle’s community volunteer services included membership on the board of directors for Home Made Theater, Saratoga Springs New York; Saratoga Springs Sponsor a Scholar; and Planned Parenthood, Saratoga Springs, New York.  Rochelle served a two year appointment as the president of the board of directors for Girls, Inc. of Holyoke, Massachusetts.  She has served as a parent member of her children’s School Councils; Community Trustee of the local United Way; on the board of directors for the National Conference for Community and Justice Western Massachusetts, and the University of Massachusetts/Amherst Fine Arts Center. Rochelle was elected to the South Hadley, MA School Committee where she served two years.

Calhoun received a bachelor’s degree in theater arts and politics from Mount Holyoke and a master of fine arts degree in theater from Columbia.

Have a question for the Admission Office? Submit one to our mailbag. We will answer a few on air. (We'll only mention your first name and hometown!)

About "Meet Princeton!"

Co-Hosts: Vivian Slee, senior assistant dean of admission, and Bryant Blount '08, assistant dean of undergraduate students and manager of strategic communications
Producers: Vivian Slee and Mary Buckley, associate dean, strategic communications, Office of Admission
Editor/Sound Engineer: Nick Donnoli, Orangebox Productions 
Sound Engineer: Molly Trueman '24
Logo Design: Esteban Aguas '19, admission officer

The theme music to our podcast was created by Molly Trueman '24.  Molly plans on majoring in music with a potential certificate in Applications of Computing. Outside of class, she is part of Glee Club, Chamber Choir, and the Tigressions, a contemporary all-female a cappella group. While she has been practicing voice and piano since age six, within the past year—especially during quarantine—she has become more passionate about songwriting and music production, leading her to create music for this podcast.