Meet Our Admission Representatives
Victoria Hopwood Bobik
Director of Undergraduate Admission
PHONE: 732-571-3456
E-MAIL: vbobik@monmouth.edu
COLLEGE: Colgate University (BA), University of South Carolina (MA)
HIGH SCHOOL: Glastonbury High School, Glastonbury, CT
PROFILE: Victoria joined Monmouth University in June 2005, after spending much time on campus cheering for the Monmouth Hawks football team, for whom her husband, Andy Bobik, has served as defensive coordinator since 1996. Victoria spent her first ten years in England before moving to the US with her parents and brother. She still enjoys visiting her family in the UK as much as possible.
FAVORITE QUOTE: From a master ... Jedi, that is! “Do, or do not. There is no try.” – Yoda
Patrick S. Dorsey
Associate Director of Undergraduate Admission
PHONE: 732-263-5873
E-MAIL: pdorsey@monmouth.edu
COLLEGE: Fairleigh Dickinson University (BS)
HIGH SCHOOL: Rumson Fair Haven Regional High School, Rumson, NJ
WORKS WITH: Students from Monmouth, Atlantic, and Cape May counties in New Jersey, as well as transfer students
PROFILE: A native of Monmouth County, Patrick joined the Office of Undergraduate Admission in July of 2005 with almost five years of experience in higher education. An avid sports fan, it is difficult to find a sporting event that won’t capture his attention. Patrick also enjoys taking advantage of Monmouth University’s proximity to the beach, where you will find him fishing or enjoying a sunny day.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “Pressure is what you feel when you don’t know what’s going on.” – Chuck Noll
Kamal T. Kornegay
Associate Director of Undergraduate Admission
PHONE: 732-263-5871
E-MAIL: kkornega@monmouth.edu
COLLEGE: Rowan University (BS)
HIGH SCHOOL: Red Bank Catholic High School, Red Bank, NJ
WORKS WITH: Students from New York; Florida, California, and all states outside the Northeast
PROFILE: Born and raised in Neptune, New Jersey, Kamal joined the undergraduate admission team in November of 2004. He has been affiliated with Monmouth University since before his birth. His father, Ronald Kornegay '69, was a prominent athlete, whose jersey still hangs in the Boylan Gymnasium. Although Kamal did not attend Monmouth for his undergraduate studies, the Hawk has always been in his heart. Kamal loves watching sports (NFL (Go Chiefs!), NBA (Go Jazz!) ), listening to music, going to the gym, and working with computers.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “Live today like it's your last because very soon it will be the past!” – Kamal Kornegay
Lesbia O. Ortiz-Torres
Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admission
PHONE: 732-263-5869
E-MAIL: ortiz-torres@monmouth.edu
COLLEGE: InterAmerican University of Puerto Rico (BA – Secondary Education, English as a Second Language)
HIGH SCHOOL: Margarita Janer Palacios, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
WORKS WITH: Students from Burlington County in New Jersey, as well as transfer, international, and military students
PROFILE: Although Lesbia joined Monmouth in September of 2004, she has been part of the University’s family since fall 2000, when her daughter became a freshman at Monmouth. Her background includes thirteen years in secondary education. She enjoys visiting her family in Puerto Rico, primarily in the summers. Her favorite sport is bowling.
INSPIRATIONAL ADVICE: "When you imagine the life of your dreams, you create the life of your dreams and the more vividly you IMAGINE and FEEL its reality, the sooner you'll live in that world."
Danielle Colbert
Assistant Director for Special Initiatives
PHONE: 732-263-5872
E-MAIL: dcolbert@monmouth.edu
COLLEGE: Lafayette College (BA)
HIGH SCHOOL: Marine Academy of Science and Technology, Sandy Hook, NJ
RESPONSIBLE FOR: Special event planning and summer initiatives, and works with students from Ocean County, NJ
PROFILE: Danielle joined Monmouth University in December 2007, after doing investor relations work in the precious metals and mining industry. However this is not the first time Danielle has worked for an admissions office, as she was a college tour guide back in the day (go student ambassadors!). While she enjoyed studying both business and art, Danielle gravitates to anything involving the artistic and creative left side of her brain. She loves to travel and use her talents to help others, and feels blessed to have participated in mission trips from Hong Kong, to the Czech Republic, and to Hurricane Katrina Relief in New Orleans. In her free time, you can find Danielle reading at Starbucks, spending time with friends and family, making clothing and jewelry, or hanging out with teenagers at her church, where she is the senior high youth group leader.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame.” -Romans 12:9-11
Lucia Riotto
Undergraduate Admission Counselor
PHONE: 732-263-5870
E-MAIL: lriotto@monmouth.edu
COLLEGE: Monmouth University (BS, MBA)
HIGH SCHOOL: Bethlehem Catholic High School, Bethlehem, PA
WORKS WITH: Students from Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.
PROFILE: Lucia graduated from Monmouth University with her bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing and a minor in Italian. In the fall of 2011, Lucia graduated again from Monmouth University with her MBA. Lucia has worked for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions during her Monmouth career as a Student Ambassador, Junior Counselor, and as a Graduate Assistant. She also studied abroad in Florence, Italy.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “”The quickest way to double your money is to fold it over and put it back in your pocket.” Will Rogers “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Aristotle
Michael Cardonick
Undergraduate Admission Counselor
PHONE: 732-263-5875
E-MAIL: mcardoni@monmouth.edu
COLLEGE: Monmouth University (BS)
HIGH SCHOOL: Triton Regional High School, Runnemede, NJ
WORKS WITH: Students from New England
PROFILE: Michael is a graduate of Monmouth University where he received his bachelor's degrees in business and Spanish, both of which he was able to use during his study abroad experience to Cádiz, Spain. Michael became a Student Ambassador, giving tours to prospective students for the Admission Office while attending Monmouth, sparking his interest in higher education. In his spare time Michael enjoys visiting family, cooking, and playing the occasional prank on friends, family, and coworkers.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And you are the one who'll decide where to go...” ― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go!
Emma Caban
Undergraduate Admission Counselor
PHONE: 732-263-5882
E-MAIL: ecaban@monmouth.edu
COLLEGE: Monmouth University (BA)
HIGH SCHOOL: Long Branch High School, Long Branch, NJ
WORKS WITH: Students from Bergen, Hudson, Morris, Essex, Passaic, Sussex Counties, AND Students interested in the Educational Opportunity Fund Program
PROFILE: Emma was raised in Long Branch, NJ. She graduated from Monmouth in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in communication studies. At Monmouth, Emma joined Zeta Tau Alpha. She is an active member of her community and enjoys paint balling, fishing, and biking with her son.
FAVORITE QUOTE: "To seek understanding that we might gain true wisdom; to look for the good in everyone; to see beauty, with its enriching influence; to be humble in success, and without bitterness in defeat." The Creed of Zeta Tau Alpha
Lauren Puglisi
Undergraduate Admission Counselor
PHONE: 732-571-3456
E-MAIL: lpuglisi@monmouth.edu
COLLEGE: Arcadia University (BA). Georgian Court University (MA)
HIGH SCHOOL: Brick Township High School, Brick, NJ
WORKS WITH: Students from New Jersey in Middlesex, Cumberland, Gloucester, Camden, Salem, and Somerset Counties
PROFILE: Lauren received her bachelor's degree in print communications in 2007 and worked in the publishing industry as a reporter and in advertising for two years until she decided to pursue her graduate studies in school counseling. She received her MA in the spring of 2011, and was very excited to become the newest undergraduate admission counselor at Monmouth University. In her spare time Lauren enjoys being with her family and friends and tries to travel as much as possible. Lauren credits her study abroad experience in Australia for igniting her love of exploring different parts of the world. She most recently traveled throughout Central America where she had the opportunity to teach English to elementary students in the rainforests of Costa Rica.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “Genius is the ability to put into effect what is on your mind.” -F. Scott Fitzgerald
Tyler Bischoff
Undergraduate Admission Counselor
PHONE: 732-263-5851
E-MAIL: tbischof@monmouth.edu
COLLEGE: Monmouth University(BA)
HIGH SCHOOL: Vernon Township High School, Vernon, NJ
WORKS WITH: Students from New York
PROFILE: Tyler is a Monmouth University graduate and received his bachelor's degree in political science in 2012. During his time at Monmouth, Tyler was very active on and off campus participating in the Student Government Association, working as a Resident Assistant, and interning in Washington, D.C. After graduation, Tyler joined the Monmouth University undergraduate admission team and is thrilled to stay on campus as an admission counselor. In his free time he enjoys spending time with family and friends and attending athletic events
FAVORITE QUOTE: "Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other." –Abraham Lincoln
Debbie Seals
Assistant to the Office of Undergraduate Admission
PHONE: 732-263-5380
E-MAIL: dseals@monmouth.edu
COLLEGE: Monmouth College (BS)
HIGH SCHOOL: Red Bank Catholic High School, Red Bank, NJ
RESPONSIBLE FOR: Organizing and managing the travel schedules and expense records of undergraduate admission. Processing housing and parking forms and deposits. Assisting the visitation coordinator with tours and group visits.
PROFILE: After graduating in 1975 from Monmouth College with a bachelor's degree in medical technology, Debbie worked at Jersey Shore Medical Center, and along with her husband (Monmouth Class of ’83!), raised two daughters. Following her love of Disney, she also worked for the Walt Disney Company as a store manager at The Disney Store. She brought her skills of customer service to her present job working with prospective students and families. Debbie feels being on staff here has been a rewarding way of promoting the school from which she learned, using her own knowledge and life experiences to help others achieve their goals.
FAVORITE QUOTE: "If you can dream it, you can do it." ~ Walt Disney
Casey Cantaffa
Admission Visitation Coordinator
PHONE: 732-263-5625
E-MAIL: kcantaff@monmouth.edu
HIGH SCHOOL: Long Branch High School, Long Branch, NJ
WORKS WITH: All prospective students and families who visit the University to coordinate tours, meetings with admission representatives, and helping them discover the many wonderful things about Monmouth.
PROFILE: After graduating high school, Casey attended dental assisting school in New Brunswick. She graduated with an X-ray license and then went back to school to be a certified (CDA) and registered (RDA) dental assistant. She and her husband have two beautiful children who have taught them that life is a blessing and that we need to be thankful and give back. Casey has spent many years raising money for charities for children with disabilities. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, going on vacation every year to Lake George, and relaxing on the beach.
FAVORITE QUOTE: "We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world." ~ Helen Keller
