staff
Michael Beseda - Vice President for College Communication and Vice Provost for Enrollment
Michael Beseda has been responsible for the enrollment function at Saint Mary's College since 1998 and for college communication since January 2003. In his enrollment role, he oversees admissions, financial aid, registration, institutional research, and student retention efforts. As vice president for college communications, he is responsible for Saint Mary's communication with its key internal and external audiences, including faculty, students, and staff, and members of the media, government, and community.
Beseda earned his bachelor's degree at Saint Mary's College as well as a master's degree from San Francisco State University. He began his career at Saint Mary's as an admissions officer and has also served as director of admissions and assistant vice president for research, planning, and technology.
Dorothy Jones - Dean of Admissions
"During your college search process, visit as many colleges and universities as possible. Try to schedule your visits when classes are in session so that you can take advantage of talking to currently enrolled students and faculty. Remember, where you choose to attend will be 'home' for 4 years."
I first stepped foot on the Saint Mary's College campus as a prospective student nineteen years ago. I was instantly drawn to the campus community, the academic challenge and the beautiful surroundings. My college choice was made. I graduated in 1989 with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and took my newly minted degree to the corporate world. After spending several years at IBM and the Army Reserves, I decided that I wanted a more rewarding career. I wanted to work with students, particularly those who were not aware of all of the opportunities available in higher education. In 1992, I had the honor of returning to my alma mater to serve as the Coordinator of Minority Recruitment and earn a Masters degree in Education. I have been at the helm of the Admissions Office since 1997 and I love being a part of such a wonderful community.
Gina Meneni - Associate Director of Admissions
"Don't limit yourself to the classroom. Travel, socialize, and connect with those around you. Only you can design your college experience."
After receiving a B.A. in Politics and a minor in Spanish, I graduated from Saint Mary's College in 1999 and found employment with a law firm in San Francisco. I quickly realized that I did not want to go to law school and returned to the campus to work as an Admission Officer. I loved my job so much that I pursued a master's degree in Higher Education Administration at the University of Michigan. Upon completion of my degree I raced back to Moraga to continue my work in Admissions, recruiting academically talented students who will engage in, and improve upon our academic and student lives. While I enjoy being a part of the SMC community, I have to say my favorite part of the job is being able to travel and connect with students and families from all areas and backgrounds. I am proud to represent my Alma Mater and look forward to working with you and your family through the application process.
Kevin Miller - Assistant Director of Admissions - Southern California Regional
Kevin Miller earned his bachelor's degree in economics from Occidental College and his master's degree in education from University of Bridgeport. In addition to several years as an English teacher, Kevin served as associate director of admissions at both Bard and Occidental Colleges. Kevin will be responsible for the strategy and implementation of admission efforts in Southern California.
Angelica Moore - Associate Director of Admissions - Director of Transfer Recruitment
“Don’t rule out the value of a good liberal arts education due to the published costs to attend a private college or university. Often times the costs decrease dramatically with scholarships and financial aid. You can only discover the true cost of attending a college after you go through the admissions process.”
I received my Bachelor of Arts Degree from San Diego State University, and I had a positive overall experience due to the fact that I was a member of the volleyball team and thus had a support system in place. Otherwise, I could have slipped through the cracks because it was difficult to feel connected to the college when I attended classes in lecture halls with 200 plus students. It was not until I attended a liberal arts institution as I pursued my Masters Degree in Education that I began to pursue and enjoy a deeper learning process. My courses had about 20 students per class, and I experienced a much more interesting and engaging style of learning. The class sizes were small enough for me to get to know the students and the professors quite well. I was attracted to Saint Mary’s College because there is a very strong sense of community that permeates the campus between students, faculty and staff. I firmly believe in the value of community and the liberal arts education, and I am proud to speak with students about Saint Mary’s College of California.
Lin Larson - Senior Assistant Director, Coordinator for International Recruitment
"Saint Mary's College of California welcomes students from all over the world and from many states within the US each year. Visiting campus may not be possible for you. We encourage you to connect with alumni, school counselors, current students, or meet with representatives from Saint Mary's College when we visit your city, state or country. Write to the admissions office with your questions - we are here to help you through the college admission process."
If the world was an oyster, then Saint Mary's College is the pearl. The campus community is wonderful! I graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Asian Studies, and have been devoted to international education for the past 13 years. As part of the Admissions team, my goal is to bring international students and American students living abroad to the College to earn their degree. When you see me at a college fair or in your high school in the states or abroad, come say "Hello!" If you want the best a small liberal arts college has to offer, then Saint Mary's is the pearl you seek.
Omar Zazueta - Assistant Director of Admissions - Coordinator of Minority Recruitment
“When selecting a school, do your homework. Research all the colleges, compare them, and most importantly: VISIT THEM! Your decision will be based on how your visit goes. Then make sure you are choosing the school for the right reasons.”
Growing up in rural Northern California, I never imagined attending such a beautiful place like St. Mary's College. After I graduated from Ukiah High School, however, I was fortunate enough to come here as a first generation college student. I decided to commit to SMC the moment I arrived for an overnight program. The campus was stunning, and the people here were so friendly and caring. I loved that this college was slightly bigger than my high school because I was able to get to know my professors and engage in wonderful conversations in and out of the classroom. As a student, I was frequently invited into the homes of professors for dinner. After graduating in 2003 with a BA in Communications and a minor in Spanish, I moved home to work at Ukiah High School as an Academic Advisor for children of Migrant Farm Workers. Now I have returned to St. Mary's (I just couldn't stay away) to work in the office of admissions. As a recent alum, I look forward to working with prospective students, and helping them along the admissions process.
Linde Waite - Senior Admissions Officer
"You have to make the decision about what you want your college experience to be. The key to academic and social success in the collegiate environment centers on a positive attitude and a commitment to stepping outside of your comfort zone. Put yourself out there and try everything you possibly can- you may discover passions you never knew existed."
I grew up in a small town in Sacramento, CA. During my senior year in high school, I realized I wanted to attend a small, liberal arts college that emphasized service and spirituality as well as academics. Then I first visited Saint Mary's, and it was clear that I didn't need to look anywhere else. I was sold on the campus the second I arrived. I became involved in theatre, choir, multi-cultural clubs and service projects, and had the honor of studying abroad my junior year in Rome. Most importantly, however, I formed strong relationships with my professors, who still are mentors to me today. After receiving my Bachelor's Degree from Saint Mary's College in May of 2006, I found that I couldn't bear to leave; so I decided to become a part of the admissions team. I am so excited to meet with students and help them make the most out of their college experience.
Damien Fatongia '05 - Senior Admissions Officer
"I encourage prospective students not only to visit the colleges they're interested in by also to contact and get to meet your admissions officers. It is always nice to put some faces to the applications we read. But more then that, knowing your admissions officers will make it easier for you to contact them if you have any questions or help with the application process."
I graduated from Saint Mary's College in 2005 with a BA in Sociology/Anthropology. After graduation I went straight to work for the Admissions office. After a year, I decided to travel Europe and live as a professional rugby player in Frankfurt, Germany. Now I'm back with my Alma Mater and thrilled to share my experiences with prospective students and the reasons why I enrolled at Saint Mary's College. One of things that attracted me to the school is the location; it is nestled in the rolling hills of Moraga where the big cities of San Francisco and Oakland are just a stone's throw away. But more than that, it is the feeling of community that I appreciate most. If you walk down the halls you are sure to be stopped by one of your professors for a quick chat. If you're at a sporting event, the athletes representing Saint Mary's are your friends. I invite you to visit and experience these things first hand!
Joel Sweeney - Assistant Director of Admissions 
"It's all about fit."
Over the past 7 years I have worked at 5 different colleges. They range from a large public institution of over 20,000 students to a small private school with less than 800 students. After an exhaustive search, I decided to work for Saint Mary's because I feel that it is truly an unique college (I have seen a lot of colleges). I feel that the opportunities students have here are endless, and that both the staff and faculty care deeply about each individual student. For me, Saint Mary's is a perfect fit, and I can't wait to begin my career as a GAEL. Is it a perfect fit for you? Come visit and find out more!
Sherilee Batten - Marketing Communications and Database Administrator
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Wendy Marcajida - Administrative Assistant and International Student Assistant
Wendy Marcajida earned an Associate of Arts degree in Natural Science from Ohlone Community College and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies with an option in Ethnic Studies from California State Hayward (now named California State East Bay). She has several years of administrative experience in education, legal, and human resources for Fortune 500 companies and other organizations. Wendy is responsible for maintaining document control of prospective Freshman and International student files.
The Admissions Office runs efficiently and handles every piece of document that comes in with the utmost care. We strive to make the Admissions process seamless, easy, and offer quality customer service to everyone we serve. I enjoy working in the Admissions office because I feel that I am assisting with one of the most important decisions of a student’s life.
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”. In order to prepare for the world, I believe a good start is receiving a great education. Should you find that St. Mary’s College is the best fit for you, you will not be disappointed with the challenging education that St. Mary’s College has to offer.
