Meet Us

Welcome to the Office of Undergraduate Admission at Roger Williams University! Meet the counselors who will review your application, coordinate your visits to campus and answer all of your questions about the admission process and the University, too.

Jacob Allen; B.A. Keene State College

Territory: Massachusetts -  Essex County, Lowell, Concord, and Wellesley, Milton, Lexington, and Waltham

Where are you from? Canton, CT

What’s your favorite event or RWU tradition? Convocation at the beginning of the fall semester. It is so much fun to welcome students and families to the Roger Williams community.

What’s one restaurant you would recommend in Bristol? Baba Sushi, it's a great sushi spot right on the water!

If you could give one piece of advice to a first year student, what would it be? You don’t have to know exactly what career path you want to go down right away. College is a time to explore and we have so many resources on campus to help you succeed in a career path that you feel is right.

Favorite music artist and TV show? I like all different genres of music, but my favorite artist is Fleet Foxes. I would have to say my favorite TV show is Breaking Bad.

Audra Crowell; B.A. Stonehill College

Territory: Massachusetts – Cape Cod & Islands

Where are you from? Barnstable, MA

What's your favorite event or RWU Tradition? Homecoming & Family Weekend – it’s a great time for the entire community to come together, enjoy the campus, and take part in fun fall activities!

What’s one restaurant you would recommend in Bristol? Thames Waterside Bar & Grille … what’s better than enjoying some lobster with a view?

If you could give one piece of advice to a first year student, what would it be? Take it one step at a time. Your first year, and especially your first semester, can be overwhelming. For many students, it’s the first time on your own and away from home. Develop a routine, get a feel for your major and classes, take it all in. Once you truly feel settled and comfortable, that’s when you can take on new things!

Favorite music artist and TV show? Taylor Swift and Gilmore Girls

Thomas Durigan; B.A. Duquesne University

Territory: International - Latin America, Caribbean, Asia, Europe 

Where are you from? Cranston, RI

What’s your favorite event or RWU tradition? Gathering a group of friends and making the trip to the polo grounds to watch the National Champion RWU Polo Team!

What’s one restaurant you would recommend in Bristol? Papa Joe’s Wrap Shack

If you could give one piece of advice to a first year student, what would it be? Let your guard down. The RWU community is incredibly unique and diverse and the only way to truly experience it, is to get rid of the hesitation and get involved!

Favorite music artist and TV show? Led Zeppelin and Game of Thrones

Keane Fajardo; B.A. Trinity College, Hartford CT

Territory: Connecticut - Fairfield Country, Waterbury and Litchfield Country; New York - Central Hudson Valley, Rockland and Westchester County

Where are you from? Chicago, IL

What's your favorite event or RWU Tradition? Drag Bingo: it’s exactly what it sounds like with some amazing prizes!

What’s one restaurant you would recommend in Bristol? Jacky’s Galaxie & Sushi Bar and Beehive Café

If you could give one piece of advice to a first year student, what would it be?  Take the time to investigate what you want and get to know yourself better. What type of environment do you excel and grow the best under? What type of location do you enjoy? Remember that growth isn’t just academic but social, emotional, mental, and physical. At any college, you are applying to there will always be pros and cons but in the end, the only thing that matters is the answer to the following question, “What type of future do I want, and can I see this space as one where I can succeed?”

Favorite music artist and TV show? I don’t have a favorite artist but love indie/alternative music. As for TV shows Game of Thrones will always have my heart! 

Maisie Jelley; B.S.  Ramapo College of NJ 

Territory: Massachusetts - Western, Fitchburg and North Worcester County; New Hampshire; Vermont; Maine; New Jersey

Where are you from? Portsmouth, RI

What's your favorite event or RWU Tradition? The first week of fall semester aka Welcome Week! It’s so fun seeing students fall in love with this beautiful campus.

What’s one restaurant you would recommend in Bristol? Aidan’s and Beehive Café.

If you could give one piece of advice to a first year student, what would it be? Get involved! Join a club or a sport where you can meet forever friends and find a new passion!

Favorite music artist and TV show? Khalid and any crime documentary.

Kyler Jesanis; B.A. Roger Williams University, M.S Worcester State University

Territory: Massachusetts- Quincy, Plymouth, Norfolk, and Bristol counties; Illinois - South and Southwest Suburbs, Florida, & Mid-Atlantic (MD, PA, VA, DE, DC)

Where are you from? Tolland, CT

What’s your favorite event or RWU tradition? The Poetry Slam. It’s always a ton of fun and the students talent, passion, and creativity is inspiring.

What’s one restaurant you would recommend in Bristol? Pomodoro Pizzeria! The food is incredible.

If you could give one piece of advice to a first year student, what would it be? Get involved in something outside of the classroom right away. It’s a great way to network, meet people, and build a community.

Favorite music artist and TV show? Ben Rector and The West Wing

Amanda Marsili; B.A. Notre Dame of Maryland University

Where are you from? Brodheadsville, PA

What’s your favorite event or RWU tradition? Late Night Breakfast

What’s one restaurant you would recommend in Bristol? Bristol House of Pizza

If you could give one piece of advice to a first year student, what would it be? Try something new!

Favorite music artist and TV show? Don’t have one – will listen to anything playing on top 40 radio; Favorite TV Show – Scandal

Dmitry Satsuk; M.A. International Education, NYU

Where are you from? Minsk, Belarus

What’s your favorite event or RWU tradition? "Rep your flag" event put on by the Multicultural Student Union

If you could give one piece of advice to a first year student, what would it be? Learn time management skills!

Favorite music artist and TV show? Vivaldi

Heather Schramm; B.S. University of Maine, M.Ed University of Maine

Territory: Massachusetts –Worcester County & Transfer Students

Where are you from? Griswold, CT

What’s your favorite event or RWU tradition? The Weeks of Welcome! They are an amazing opportunity for students, returning and new, to get integrated with the campus and the community and feel at home.

What’s one restaurant you would recommend in Bristol? Tong Phoon, I know when I was a student a solid pad thai was imperative to a productive study session. 

If you could give one piece of advice to a first year student, what would it be? Get involved. There are so many wonderful opportunities for students to get involved on campus. Students who are involved not only build a wonderful network of friends, it also improves your academics!

Favorite music artist and TV show? For music I am all over the place. Currently I am really into folk music and Lizzo … intersectionality at its finest. For show(s), my top two of all time: Scrubs and Parks and Recreation.

Jessica Thibeault; B.S. University of Rhode Island, M.S. University of Rhode Island

Territory: Connecticut – New London, Windham, New Haven, Middlesex, Hartford and Tolland county

Where are you from? Wethersfield, CT

Favorite event or tradition: I love move-in weekend! There’s always so much buzz and excitement to start the new school year!

Restaurant: Thames Waterside Bar & Grill

Piece of advice: Get involved! Getting involved on campus is a great way to meet people and feel connected to RWU!

Favorite music and TV show: Music: I am really not picky! I’ll listen to anything! TV Show: New Girl

Amy Tiberio; B.S. & M.S. Bentley University

Where are you from? Framingham, MA

What’s your favorite event or RWU tradition? My favorite RWU tradition is the Annual Theme. It’s really interesting for the enrolling class and the RWU community to read the same book, and then attend programs and lectures throughout the year that build on the theme and allow us to look at it through different lenses. It’s a great prompt for conversations and discussions across campus.

What’s one restaurant you would recommend in Bristol? I recommend Beehive Café – it’s quirky and very delicious. 

If you could give one piece of advice to a first year student, what would it be? Think of this opportunity as a fresh start. You get to explore and embrace who you really are. College is your journey to learn about yourself, try new things, and take risks. Don’t talk yourself out of challenges and opportunities.

Favorite music artist and TV show? My favorite music artist is Ani DiFranco and favorite TV show is vintage Law & Order

Jacquelyn Tremblay; B.A. & M.S. Southern New Hampshire University

Territory: Southern RI

Where are you from? North Easton, MA

What's your favorite event or RWU Tradition? The annual 1, 2, 3 Weekend. This multi-day event includes great food and different activities to check out prior to the start of classes.

What’s one restaurant you would recommend in Bristol? Thames Waterside Bar & Grill

If you could give one piece of advice to a first year student, what would it be? Take advantage of all the resources available to you. Whether it be faculty, your resident assistant, etc. we are all here to help you transition and make the most of your college experience!

Favorite music artist and TV show? Ruston Kelly and Parks & Recreation

Anna Walther; B.A. Roger Williams University

Territory: Long Island, New York City, Providence, and Northern Rhode Island, Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts

Where are you from? Northampton, MA

What's your favorite event or RWU Tradition? SAGA’s Pride Week – especially, Queer Fest!

What’s one restaurant you would recommend in Bristol? Riccottis Sandwich Shop – I've been going here since I was a little kid; perfect sandwiches for day-trips to the Newport beaches!

If you could give one piece of advice to a first year student, what would it be? “College is like a buffet. You can eat the same three basic foods that you know that you like, or you can try different things and have the potential of discovering a new food that you never knew that you would love. Either way, the price is the same.” This applies to trying food at the dining hall, taking new classes, trying extracurriculars, or anything else – be willing to go into your challenge zone! (This is the same advice my mom gave me when she dropped me off at Roger in 2014 for my freshman year!)

Favorite music artist and TV show? I listen to almost any genre, but I do certainly love a good 2000s – 2010s throwback playlist. If I was choosing more current, it would be either JP Saxe or Kehlani. For favorite TV show, I’d say any crime shows or Netflix’s All-American.

Joseph Varao; BBA George Washington University

Territory: Colorado, California, West coast & Mountain region

Where are you from? Plymouth, MA

What's your favorite event or RWU Tradition? Feeling the breeze off Mount Hope Bay from the deck at the Bready Sailing Center

What’s one restaurant you would recommend in Bristol? Quito's! Their Seafood Mediterranean is one of my favorite dishes anywhere in RI, and their views of the harbor are the best in town.

If you could give one piece of advice to a first-year student, what would it be? Many people will tell you what they think you should study - whatever they think is practical, lucrative, exciting - but choose a major that interests you. Immersed in something you're passionate about, you're much more likely to find a path to success.

Favorite music artist and TV show? If I'm watching TV, it's probably a live sporting event. I like lots of different music, but Jukebox the Ghost has been a longtime favorite.

If your counselor is not listed or you are inquiring from a territory not listed please contact us via email at admit@rwu.edu and one of our Admission Counselors will contact you with the information you have requested.