

Find your admission counselor on the map above or the list below. Not sure who to talk to? Contact the front desk at 901-843-3700 or adminfo@rhodes.edu.

Baylee Champion, Assistant Director of Admission
901-843-3060
text: 901-437-0014
Territories: Illinois, Mississippi, West Tennessee Public Schools
Baylee Champion’s journey from Chicago was fueled by her dedication to making higher education accessible to all. Her love for culture, history, and food is what drew her to make Memphis home. The commitment that Rhodes has to diversity and inclusion proved that the environment would be warm and welcoming. She attended and graduated from Rust College in 2020, having majored in Sociology.
Read more about Baylee
After graduating from Rust College located in Holly Springs, Mississippi, Baylee was driven to teach High School students the value of a liberal arts education. She served her own alma matter as an Admissions Counselor for over a year. The one thing she missed as a student and employee at Rust was city life.
She first encountered Rhodes during an internship at a non-profit called “Just City” located in downtown Memphis. The organization was created by alumnus, and although she wasn’t on campus, she could tell that Rhodes was a special place. Passionate about creating a more equitable world, Baylee had her sights set on joining the Rhodes community.
Baylee has an immense love for music. “Memphis has rightfully earned its name as the birthplace of Rock N’ Roll and the city of Blues. Music is a part of the Memphis Soul,” she says. She often finds herself enjoying performances at the FedEx Forum, the Orpheum theatre, Growlers, Beale Street, and many more places.

Brooke Mangione, Assistant Director of Admission
901-843-3703
text: 901-403-8122
Territories: Alabama, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri
A Birmingham native, Brooke Mangione joins the admissions team after a decade teaching middle school and high school English, both in Alabama and overseas. After graduating with a degree in Secondary English Education from the University of Alabama, Brooke knew she wanted to give life abroad a try, resulting in years spent in Asia, Latin America, and Europe. While teaching in international schools, Brooke prepared students from around the world for university in North America, eventually leading to the decision to work with students from the admissions side.
Read more about Brooke
After relocating to Memphis from Germany, Brooke quickly fell in love with Rhodes’ gorgeous architecture and close-knit community. “Everyone has been so kind and genuinely welcoming since the moment I stepped foot on campus.” She has become equally enamored by the city of Memphis. “I have never encountered a city with so much pride; it’s truly contagious,” she says of her new home. When she’s not working, Brooke enjoys traveling, exploring the city, baking, reading, and yoga.

Gil Villanueva, Vice President for Enrollment
901-843-3700
Territories: California, Colorado
Gil oversees Admission, Financial Aid, and Enrollment Services at Rhodes. For three decades, he has served highly selective colleges and universities across the nation. Prior to his appointment at Rhodes, Gil was the Associate Vice President and Dean of Admission at the University of Richmond and Dean of Admission at Brandeis University. He also worked at Bucknell University and Harvey Mudd College. Gil earned a B.A. in Psychology at Pitzer College and an M.Ed. degree in Higher Education at Bucknell University.
Read more about Gil
Gil is recognized for his service in national organizations and committees. He served as a board member as well as president and chair of The Common Application. For the College Board, he served on the Guidance and Admission Assembly Council, was past chair and secretary for the Southern Regional Council, and was a member of Task Force on Admissions in the 21st Century. Gil served as faculty advisor for the Leadership in Enrollment Management Certificate program at the University of Southern California’s Center for Enrollment Research, Policy, and Practice. For the National Association of Secondary School Principals, he served on the Higher Education Advisory Committee and the National Honor Society Scholarship Selection Committee. Gil also represented American Higher Education for the U.S. Department of State Office of Overseas Schools.
Gil and his wife Carolyn provide parenting services to a college graduate, a junior in college, a spoiled Shih Tzu, and an entitled Pug.

Hazel Parks, Assistant Director of Admission
901-843-3705
text: 901-617-3572
Territories: Arkansas, Florida, Kansas, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington
Hazel Parks ’23 chose Rhodes after falling in love with its beautiful campus during visits to see family in Memphis throughout her childhood. Once she was a student, she fell in love all over again with the Rhodes community and all it has to offer. “I love the fact that I know I’m going to see a friendly face any time I walk around campus, or almost anywhere I go in Memphis. Also, Rhodes students are some of the most interesting, passionate, and engaged people I’ve ever met – it’s crazy that we all end up here.”
Read more about Hazel
When Hazel began her college search, she thought she wanted a big school in a big city that could provide her with some anonymity after having been born and raised in Topeka, Kansas, a city that she describes as a “very small world.” However, she had grown up visiting family in Memphis and despite her big school ideas, she felt a pull to apply to Rhodes.
Now, after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Sociology, Hazel describes her choice to attend Rhodes as “the best decision,” mentioning her favorite things about her alma mater being the tight knit community, which she greatly enjoys continuing to be a part of.

Jo Gibbons, Campus Visit Data Coordinator
901-843-3250
As the campus visit data coordinator, Jo helps prospective students and their families get the most (including the most fun) out of their visit to campus.
Read more about Jo
"I was attracted to Rhodes after retiring from a career in Disaster mitigation and management with the American Red Cross," says Jo. "After retirement, I came home to Memphis to be close to my three children and two grandchildren. I was looking for the perfect fit in a position and found it at Rhodes. I have a great work group, loving community, and satisfying work. Since then, my daughter has attended and graduated from Rhodes, but I like it so much, I am still here! My favorite part of working with Rhodes is the supportive environment that we all have, regardless of our status as student, faculty, or staff. I also love to make the visit as fun as possible!

Jose Garcia, Associate Director of Admission for Diversity and Access
901-843-3706
Text: 901-612-3732
Territories: Central and East Tennessee, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey
Jose was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. He is a first-generation, low-income student who is a child of an immigrant from El Salvador. He is bilingual in English and Spanish. He comes from a very large and close family.
Read more about Jose
Jose graduated with undergraduate degrees in Physical Education and Sport Psychology and has a master’s degree in Secondary Education. He was a college football and track athlete along with being very involved in Latin X clubs and organizations. He coached college football and track and field for 13 years. Then, one day, he wanted to do more for underserved students and decided to change careers. This led to him working in underserved student recruitment along with also being a liaison for athletics.
Jose became a Lynx on August 1, 2022. He serves as the Associate Director of Admission for Diversity and Access, along with being the Athletics Liaison. Jose came to Rhodes College from the University of Richmond where he was a Senior Assistant Director of Admission for Diversity Outreach and Partnerships, along with being an Athletics Liaison. His focus while working in admission has also included working and developing relationships with Community Based Organizations along with working with on-campus partners.

Lauren Sefton, Director of International Admission
email: seftonl@rhodes.edu
Territories: Alaska, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina
Lauren Sefton ’03 grew up only a 30-minute train ride from her home in New Jersey to one of the world’s largest cities. While searching for colleges, she knew she didn’t want to be even 30 minutes away from the newest restaurant or concert to come to town. However, she also valued the intimacy of a small campus community, and found that most small schools tended to be in more rural settings, while most urban schools were too large or didn’t have a tight-knit campus environment.
Read more about Lauren
Enter Rhodes. Once Lauren visited campus and Memphis, she knew she had found the perfect blend of a small school in a big city. In her time at Rhodes, she chose an Interdisciplinary Major of International Studies and Political Science and studied abroad several times. She graduated in 2003 and immediately began her professional life in the Rhodes Admission office, where she has worked ever since. In that time she has served as a past President of the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (SACAC) and currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Colleges That Change Lives (CTCL).
Living in Memphis became a welcome change for Lauren from her New Jersey roots. “Memphis is much more relaxed and affordable than living in the Northeast,” she says, adding, “Southern hospitality really does exist.”
As she has spent more time at Rhodes, she has noticed some positive changes to her alma mater, most notably one of diversity. “The Rhodes community has become a much stronger part of the city of Memphis and has also become a much more diverse environment than when I was a student,” she says. “We recognize our responsibility and place in the city, and there’s a mindset of working towards an ever more inclusive and welcoming community on campus.”
Lauren enjoys traveling extensively and exploring downtown Memphis with her husband and young son when she’s not recruiting students to Rhodes from all over the world.

Lily Shannon, Assistant Director of Admission
901-843-3657
text: 901-401-9986
Territories: Arizona, Connecticut, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin
Born and raised in Memphis, Lily had their sights set on going far away for college. They ended up in the quiet town of Middlebury, Vermont where they took advantage of a liberal arts education and majored in Gender, Sexuality, & Feminist Studies with minors in German and Education. However, distance really does make the heart grow fonder, and they yearned to return home to be closer to their family and the city that raised them
Read more about Lily
Through their work study in undergrad, Lily was exposed to some of the inner workings of college admissions and began to develop a passion for working with students from a variety of backgrounds. “I want to make sure students know of every opportunity that is available to them,“ they said. “The application process is stressful enough as it is, and I am happy to be a part of helping families through it.” They found their way home to Rhodes by joining the admissions staff soon after graduating. They are so excited to work in such a beautiful tight-knit community, and cannot wait to introduce their city to others.
Outside of work Lily enjoys supporting the local community and spends their free time crocheting or cross-stitching. You can catch them on Friday nights cheering on their brother at his local high school football games. Go Lynx!

Mac Trammell, Assistant Director of Admission
901-843-3524
901-410-9221 (text)
Territories: D.C., Delaware, Louisiana, Memphis Private Schools, Virginia, West Virginia
Schedule an interview with Mac
Schedule a Financial Aid appointment with Mac
As a born-and-reared Memphian, Mac Trammell had always known about Rhodes growing up. But when it came time to choose a college, he had his sights set outside the city limits. He attended and graduated in 2017 from Washington and Lee University, having double majored in Journalism and English.
Read more about Mac
While he enjoyed his time at school and received a first-rate education, he did begin looking longingly back at Memphis, finally able to see the incredible growth that the city had undergone beginning shortly before his departure.
He moved back and found a job working with youth and also doing Communications work at a local church before applying for his current position at Rhodes.
“Because I came from a liberal arts background and have a deep love for the city of Memphis,” he said, “I felt like Rhodes was a great fit for me and feel lucky to have been granted a chance to work here.”
Since joining the Rhodes admission staff, the architectural beauty of campus has continually struck him as one of his favorite aspects of the school. “It is a great privilege,” he said “to be able to look up every day and be engaged on an emotional level just by the sight of campus.”
Mac enjoys playing pickup basketball, whether with the regulars at Rhodes after work or with his buddies at his high school on the weekend. He also exhibits an avid fandom for the NBA and especially the hometown Memphis Grizzlies.

Megan Starling, Director of Admission
901-843-3225
901-329-8954 (text)
Territories: Iowa, Kentucky, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota
Schedule an interview with Megan
Schedule a Financial Aid appointment with Megan
The student experience not only attracted Megan Starling '02 to Rhodes, but also has continued to shape the way she interacts with the school. As a prospective student from Lexington, KY, she wanted to feel an immediate connection to a student community, while simultaneously being able to create and maintain meaningful relationships with professors in and outside the classroom.
Read more about Megan
She credits the students who hosted her on overnight visits as an important factor in her decision to attend Rhodes. “They represented the true warmth, authenticity, and intelligence that I still know to be true of our students today,” she says. Once she chose Rhodes, she declared a major in Psychology and graduated in 2002, and subsequently received a Masters of Science in Conflict Management from Kennesaw State University.
Megan found her way back, after spending some time abroad in Thailand, to her alma mater’s admission office, where she has had a hand cultivating and reinforcing for the last 15 years the same sense of community she felt when she visited as a high school student. Her dedication to the student body of Rhodes can be seen most directly in her relationships and interactions with current students, many of whom she recruited herself.
Megan has enjoyed making a home out of the city of Memphis, which she says has an unapologetic authenticity. “It has long embraced its faults and challenges,” she says, “but is finally starting to celebrate its strengths and opportunities.” When she gets time away from the many duties of being Director, she likes to run the trails in nearby Overton Park and also loves bringing her young son and toddler twins to campus with her husband.

Piyush Kumar, Assistant Director of Admission
901-843-3710
901-390-5730 (text)
Territories: Texas (Houston, Austin, Sana Antonio), South Carolina
Schedule an interview with Piyush
Schedule a Financial Aid appointment with Piyush
There were several factors that played into the decision Piyush Kumar ’17 made to attend Rhodes College. Memphis, to him, represented an upgrade from his Greenwood, SC, home, and not only did the internship and research opportunities at close-by hospitals and health care providers intrigue the pre-med mind of Piyush, but the diversity he saw on campus during those visits confirmed to him Rhodes was where he wanted to be.
Read more about Piyush
“I knew I would be attending an institution where I could feel accepted,” he says, “and was confident that Rhodes would be an environment where my beliefs would be respected.”
He graduated from Rhodes in 2017 with a degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry and headed to medical school, where he earned a Masters in Biomedical Sciences from Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine. However, after his first year of medical school, Piyush re-evaluated his career priorities by focusing on his true passion of working with students. He concluded that he needed to make a change, and so took a leap of faith to give back to the school he felt had given him so much.
“Rhodes did a lot for me when I was here as a student,” he says, “so being able to help prospective students--especially those interested in Pre-Health--find Rhodes is fulfilling work.”
Piyush likes to try new restaurants around Memphis and support local sports teams like the Grizzlies and 901 FC. We would also be remiss if we didn’t mention that he bakes great cheesecakes.

Sydney Jones, Assistant Director of Admission
901-843-3154
text: 901-403-8822
Territories: Georgia, Idaho, Montana, North Texas (Dallas, Fort Worth area), Utah, Wyoming
Schedule an interview with Sydney
Sydney Jones ‘21 stepped foot on the Rhodes College campus for the first time her senior year of high school when she attended one of the college’s multicultural visit programs. When she and her family checked in, students and staff greeted them, putting at least her parents at ease. But it was the experiences Sydney had, especially with her host, Zaria Jones ‘19, that weekend that sold her on Rhodes.
Read more about Sydney
“The overnight experience allowed me to see how close Black students were with each other on campus,” she says, “which was pertinent to my decision. I had a great time going out to campus events with them and knew that in addition to living in the center of a city, I could see myself making friends on this campus.”
After graduating with a major in Political Science and minor in International Studies, Sydney joined the admission office at her alma mater. She aspires to expand Rhodes’ reach by “informing students, like myself, who would not have heard about the institution intentionally.”
Outside of the office, Sydney enjoys interacting with the natural world. Hiking, swimming, and camping are a few of the ways she finds peace in nature.
For International Students

Lauren Sefton, Director of International Admission
email: seftonl@rhodes.edu
Schedule an interview with Lauren
Schedule a Financial Aid appointment with Lauren
Lauren Sefton ’03 grew up only a 30-minute train ride from her home in New Jersey to one of the world’s largest cities. While searching for colleges, she knew she didn’t want to be even 30 minutes away from the newest restaurant or concert to come to town. However, she also valued the intimacy of a small campus community, and found that most small schools tended to be in more rural settings, while most urban schools were too large or didn’t have a tight-knit campus environment.
Read more about Lauren
Enter Rhodes. Once Lauren visited campus and Memphis, she knew she had found the perfect blend of a small school in a big city. In her time at Rhodes, she chose an Interdisciplinary Major of International Studies and Political Science and studied abroad several times. She graduated in 2003 and immediately began her professional life in the Rhodes Admission office, where she has worked ever since. In that time she has served as a past President of the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (SACAC) and currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Colleges That Change Lives (CTCL).
Living in Memphis became a welcome change for Lauren from her New Jersey roots. “Memphis is much more relaxed and affordable than living in the Northeast,” she says, adding, “Southern hospitality really does exist.”
As she has spent more time at Rhodes, she has noticed some positive changes to her alma mater, most notably one of diversity. “The Rhodes community has become a much stronger part of the city of Memphis and has also become a much more diverse environment than when I was a student,” she says. “We recognize our responsibility and place in the city, and there’s a mindset of working towards an ever more inclusive and welcoming community on campus.”
Lauren enjoys traveling extensively and exploring downtown Memphis with her husband and young son when she’s not recruiting students to Rhodes from all over the world.

Tie Sun, Senior Assistant Director of International Admission
email: sunt@rhodes.edu
Territory: Asia
Tie Sun has been in the international admission field since 2017. Uniquely, he experienced both a national research university and liberal arts college in the US for his Bachelor of Arts degree in Education, as an international student from Xi’an, China. He is more than happy to share the value of a liberal arts education to prospective international students at Rhodes College, and advise for their best interests. He travels extensively with a peace of heart filled with a spirit of adventure, curiosity, and care. Please be expected to see him in future!
Read more about Tie
Tie visited Memphis twice in the winter break during his senior college year road trip from Bloomington, Illinois, to New Orleans. “I was deeply impressed by the pyramid-looking building when driving through Hernando De Soto Bridge,” recalling the first-time encounter with Memphis he said, “and the large statue of Elvis Presley in the hotel lobby made me realize that Graceland is right here.” However, at that time, he hadn’t realized that one of the prettiest campuses in the US was just a few miles away.
His third time in Memphis was purely for Rhodes College, and he has been heartfully committed to Rhodes College after getting to know its campus, academics, and people. “The Star Room in the library is no doubt my most favorite place at Rhodes College because it easily brings me peace of mind and courage to explore,” he said, adding “I’d never know my encounter with Rhodes and Memphis would unconsciously begin and continue. In my culture, we call it fate.” As an international admission staff at Rhodes, he has been ready to serve prospective students from the world.
After graduating in 2013 as a high school student at Xi’an Middle School, Tie started the journey of studying abroad to the US as an international student. He enjoyed freshman and sophomore years at Michigan State University, and the charm of a liberal arts education, including intimate relationships with professors, dense personal attention in classroom, and accessible opportunities in internship and research to undergraduates, led him to Illinois Wesleyan University and he graduated in 2017. He joined Rhodes College in 2023 after travelling almost 6 years for his alma mater’s admission.
Tie encourages all international students at Rhodes College to try Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken in Downtown Memphis. He loves to play the guitar and meditate in free time.