Hello from all of us in Admission!
We’re excited to meet you.
Stay up to date by joining our mailing list.
George Hamel
Regions: New York City, North Dakota, South Dakota
Admission Counselors
Josh Tyler
Director of Transfer Admission,
Associate Director of Admission
Alumnus, Classes of '06 & MAT '08
[email protected]
Associate Director of Admission
Alumnus, Classes of '06 & MAT '08
[email protected]
US Regions
Maine, Upstate New York, and Vermont
Contact for Transfers, Return to College, Conservatory, and Home schooled students
Maine, Upstate New York, and Vermont
Contact for Transfers, Return to College, Conservatory, and Home schooled students
Kimberly Sargeant
US Regions
Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas
Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas
Amber Amina Leisher
Associate Director of International Admission
[email protected]
[email protected]
International
International countries except for India, Latin America and the Caribbean, and East and Southeast Asia.
Primary contact for all United World Colleges (UWC)
International countries except for India, Latin America and the Caribbean, and East and Southeast Asia.
Primary contact for all United World Colleges (UWC)
Robbie Crane
Associate Director of West Coast Admission,
Senior Assistant Director of Admission
Alumnus '17
[email protected]
Senior Assistant Director of Admission
Alumnus '17
[email protected]
US Regions
Arizona, Hawaii, New Mexico, and Southern California
International
The Caribbean countries/territories, Latin America, and the US territory of the Virgin Islands
Arizona, Hawaii, New Mexico, and Southern California
International
The Caribbean countries/territories, Latin America, and the US territory of the Virgin Islands
Duncan King
US Regions
Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Northern California, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Northern California, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
Tessa Greenhalgh
US Regions
Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island
International
India
Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island
International
India
Roxy Ruedas
US Regions
Maryland, New York City, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington D.C.
Maryland, New York City, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington D.C.
Andrew Roberge
US Regions
Delaware, Long Island, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania (except Pittsburgh)
Delaware, Long Island, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania (except Pittsburgh)
Ali Kane
US Regions
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin
Bella Bergen
US Regions
Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska
Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska
Shawn Moore
International
East and Southeast Asia
East and Southeast Asia
Adminstrative Team
-
Savannah Lucas SanchezDirector of MarketingSavannah Lucas Sanchez
Originally from Arizona, Savannah came to Bard in 2015 to study film. After earning her B.A. in Film Production in 2019, she continued her journey at Bard by working with the M.F.A. program before joining the Office of Admission in 2020.
Her goal is to share Bard’s hidden gems and campus culture through a variety of media. Savannah especially enjoys talking with prospective students about her own Bard experience, particularly her time in the film program. -
Elene ShamanadzeMarketing AssociateElene Shamanadze
Elene graduated from Bard College in 2025 with a B.A. in Psychology. During her time at Bard, she wore many hats—serving as a Student Ambassador, Writing Fellow, social media brand manager for Undergraduate Admission, and statistics course assistant. She also gained hands-on marketing experience during her summers with Red Bull.
Elene is passionate about sports marketing and hopes to continue building a career in the industry, particularly in Formula 1, which she loves wholeheartedly. Outside of work, she enjoys watching films and reading classic literature. -
Cassidy MurrayAssistant Director of Special Events and OperationsCassidy Murray
Cassidy is originally from the Hudson Valley. She graduated from Lasell University in 2019 with a B.S. in Sport Management. -
Joao De La CruzAdmissions Administrative AssistantJoao De La Cruz
Originally from the Bronx, Joao graduated from Bard College in 2021 with a degree in Electronic Music. During his time at Bard, he served as an Assistant House Manager at the Fisher Center, worked at the Campus Center, and spent two years as House Manager for Feitler House—the college’s only vegan undergraduate co-op dorm at the time (now graduate housing).
After graduating, Joao remained in the Hudson Valley before relocating to Miami to work at Florida International University, where he gained valuable experience in academic administration. He has since returned to New York and is now based in New Paltz, bringing the skills he developed back to Bard’s Office of Admission. In his free time, Joao enjoys hiking, making music, and practicing astrophotography. -
 2.jpg)
Vera TopcikAdmission FellowVera Topcik
Vera graduated from Bard College in 2025 with a B.A. in Physics. As a student, she was deeply involved in the Physics community, serving as club head of the Physics Club and Physics Lounge Czar. She also played violin in the Bard College Community Orchestra, interned briefly with Election@Bard, and was a member of the Bard Swim Team.
Vera is an active astrophysicist, continuing her Senior Project research on carbon stars and circumstellar discs with Bard Professor Clara Sousa-Silva. She hopes to attend graduate school in astrophysics to further her passion for scientific research. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, playing the violin, and traveling. -
Eric SinclairDirector of Admission SystemsEric Sinclair
Eric has a passion for extracting actionable insights from complex datasets to identify trends, patterns, and opportunities that support informed strategic decisions. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications and certifications as a Professional Scrum Master and in ITIL.
In his free time, Eric enjoys working with youth athletes on the soccer field, basketball court, and baseball diamond. -
Jamie CarsonCRM Support SpecialistJamie Carson
Jamie Carson is a graduate of Western Governors University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in User Experience Design. She is currently pursuing an M.B.A. in Information Technology Management. Jamie also holds professional certificates in Project Management and UX Design from Google, as well as Product Management from Microsoft Xbox.
A lifelong Hudson Valley resident and mother of three, including two children with disabilities, Jamie is passionate about using technology to improve access, efficiency, and equity in education and community services. -
Sean RussellSlate Captain and Data AnalystSean Russell
Sean grew up in the Hudson Valley and graduated from SUNY Albany with a B.A. in Computer Science. After working with a startup web company, she joined Bard’s Office of Enrollment, where she assists with data analysis and reporting.
 2.jpg)
Student Ambassador Leadership Council
The Student Ambassador Leadership Council (SALC) is a group of dedicated student leaders who help shape the Bard admission experience from the inside out. Working closely with the Office of Admission, SALC members strengthen the Student Ambassador program, support prospective and admitted students, and build community through authentic connection and collaboration.
Beyond their leadership roles on campus, SALC members also serve as a direct resource for students exploring Bard by offering insight, advice, and personal perspectives on academic and campus life.
Want to chat with a SALC member? Click on their Calendly link below to schedule a conversation and learn more about life at Bard from someone who’s living it.
Beyond their leadership roles on campus, SALC members also serve as a direct resource for students exploring Bard by offering insight, advice, and personal perspectives on academic and campus life.
Want to chat with a SALC member? Click on their Calendly link below to schedule a conversation and learn more about life at Bard from someone who’s living it.
Danika Dortch
Danika is currently a fifth-year student at Bard Conservatory, studying Literature and French Horn Performance. Originally from Lindenhurst, Illinois, she will graduate in the spring of 2026.
In addition to serving as a Student Ambassador, she is also a Writing Fellow and has studied at Bard Berlin. Outside of work, Danika enjoys reading and sharing coffee with friends.
In addition to serving as a Student Ambassador, she is also a Writing Fellow and has studied at Bard Berlin. Outside of work, Danika enjoys reading and sharing coffee with friends.
Javy Polanco
Javy is a Bronx-born student majoring in Vocal Performance within the College Conservatory of Music and Written Arts (Poetry), with a concentration in Gender and Sexuality Studies. In addition to his work in admission, Javy serves as a Lead Peer Mentor for the Office of Equity and Inclusion, supporting and advising incoming first-year students.
He is also a Trustee Leader Scholar through the Musical Mentorship Initiative, where he teaches voice to students in Kenya and in communities surrounding Bard. Javy loves opera, poetry, and YouTube video essays—and is always up for a good conversation!
He is also a Trustee Leader Scholar through the Musical Mentorship Initiative, where he teaches voice to students in Kenya and in communities surrounding Bard. Javy loves opera, poetry, and YouTube video essays—and is always up for a good conversation!
Georgi Chikolov
Originally from Plovdiv, Bulgaria, Georgi is a senior at Bard College double-majoring in Computer Science and Piano Performance in the Conservatory of Music. Outside of his work with the Office of Admission, he is a member of the Bard Raptors Men’s Volleyball Team and is actively involved with the Bard Prison Initiative.
Lily Seale
Lily is a senior at Bard studying Economics with a secondary focus in Written Arts and will graduate in the spring of 2026. Originally from northern Vermont and New Hampshire, she is involved in several areas of campus life.
Outside of her work in admission, Lily plays for the Bard Women’s Lacrosse Team, serves as treasurer of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and is a Morgan’s Message Ambassador—an organization advocating for student-athlete mental health. She lives in Red Hook with her cat, Willie, and enjoys playing cards, watching baseball (go Red Sox), cooking, and taking late-night Stewart’s trips with her best friends.
Outside of her work in admission, Lily plays for the Bard Women’s Lacrosse Team, serves as treasurer of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and is a Morgan’s Message Ambassador—an organization advocating for student-athlete mental health. She lives in Red Hook with her cat, Willie, and enjoys playing cards, watching baseball (go Red Sox), cooking, and taking late-night Stewart’s trips with her best friends.
Office of Equity and Inclusion
The philosophy of the Equity and Inclusion programs remains consistent with the College’s desire for diversity to be part of the learning experience of all students from a wide variety of backgrounds. The Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) recognizes that students with identities historically underrepresented in higher education seek to attain a rigorous liberal arts education and often need support to realize this aim. Visit The Office of Equity and Inclusion website to read about the OEI staff!