Meet Our Prospective Student Representatives

Class of 2025 Pro-Reps

Our Prospective Student Representatives are current medical students who play an integral role in a variety of admissions activities and events.

Before interview day, they set up a virtual pre-interview meet and greet, where students meet with applicants the night before the interview to provide insight into their personal experiences at CU School of Medicine.

On interview day, the Pro-Reps participate in our student panel, which is a question and answer session for all applicants. Our Pro-Reps also lead Campus Tours, showing applicants lecture halls, small group sessions classrooms, hospitals and other important locations on campus.

 

Jacob Duenas IIIJacob Duenas III

JACOB.DUENAS@CUANSCHUTZ.EDU

 

Pronouns: He/Him/His

 

Where are you from?: Azusa, CA United States

 

Birthday: May 24

 

Undergraduate Institution: UCLA

 

Degree: BS in Biology, 2019

 

Random Fact: When I was a baby, I learned to walk before I crawled and I am convinced that is why I am kind of clumsy today and run into things often.

Hobbies/Interests/Obsessions:I really enjoy going for runs around the neighborhood. I am definitely a plant dad, currently have about 30 different plants around my apartment. I am a pretty big foodie and I am always excited to eat and try new places!

Kevin Paik Kevin Paik

KEVIN.PAIK@CUANSCHUTZ.EDU

 

Pronouns: He/Him/His

 

Where are you from?: Colorado Springs, Colorado United States

Birthday: December 24

 

Undergraduate Institution: University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

Degree: BA in Nursing, BS in Sociology

 

Random Fact: I grew up in a military family, mostly in California and Hawaii. Colorado is the most inland that I have ever lived. I hated it here when we first moved, but have since changed my mind as I have grown older and appreciate it much more.

Hobbies/Interests/Obsessions: Snowboarding, rock climbing are my two seasonal activities. Only recently started mountain biking. But my biggest current obsession is our new dog. Just took her home this January and she is adorable!


Melanie Mandell Melanie Mandell

MELANIE.MANDELL@CUANSCHUTZ.EDU

 

Pronouns: she/her/hers

 

Where are you from?: Glencoe, Illinois United States

 

Birthday: February 28

 

Undergraduate Institution: Colorado College

 

Degree: BA in Molecular and Cellular Biology, 2020

 

Random Fact: I once worked security detail for Oprah

 

Hobbies/Interests/Obsesssions: Listening to music, running, baking, SCUBA diving

 

 

Morgan McCord Morgan McCord

MORGAN.MCCORD@CUANSCHUTZ.EDU

 

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

 

Where are you from?: Indianapolis, IN United States

 

Birthday: July 8

 

Undergraduate Institution: DePauw University

 

Degree: BA in Biochemistry, 2018

 

Random Fact: I walk on my tippy toes

 

Hobbies/Interests/Obsessions: Thrifting, skiing, re-watching TV series, hiking 14ers


Mustafa Saaed Mustafa Saeed

MUSTAFA.SAEED@CUANSCHUTZ.EDU

 

Pronouns: He/Him/His

 

Where are you from?: Khartoum, Khartoum Sudan

 

Birthday: August 27

 

Undergraduate Institution: Michigan State University

 

Degree: BA in Physiology, 2022

 

Random Fact: I have lived in four different countries

 

Hobbies/Interests/Obsessions: Soccer, arsenal, music, movies, exploring new cuisines

 

 

Ry HemondRy Hemond (Rural Program)

RY.HEMOND@CUANSCHUTZ.EDU

 

Pronouns: They/Them/Theirs

 

Where are you from?: Acton, MA United States

 

Birthday: March 1

 

Undergraduate Institution: Middlebury College

 

Degree: BA in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, 2019.5

Random Fact: I went through seven full rolls of athletic tape while thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail

Hobbies/Interests/Obsessions: Finding hidden hikes and swimming holes, reading too many books at once, and disappearing into the woods for months on end


Owen ZielinskiOwen Zielinski

OWEN.ZIELINSKI@CUANSCHUTZ.EDU

 

Pronouns: He/Him/His

 

Where are you from?: Loveland, Colorado United States

 

Birthday: May 28

 

Undergraduate Institution: Colorado State University

 

Degree: BS in Biochemistry, 2021 and BS in Clinical and Counseling Psychology, 2021

Random Fact: I attended ten different schools before graduating from high school

Hobbies/Interests/Obsessions: Creative writing and hosting and playing in online Survivor games

 

Helena Heister Helena Heister (Fort Collins)

HELENA.HEISTER@CUANSCHUTZ.EDU

 

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

 

Where are you from?: Colorado Springs, CO United States

 

Birthday: October 20

 

Undergraduate Institution: University of Colorado Boulder

Degree: BA in Integrative Physiology, 2019 and MSc in Biomedical Sciences, 2022, Rocky Vista University

Random Fact: I love public transit

Hobbies/Interests/Obsessions: Skiing, hiking, volleyball, disc golf, embroidery, my cats, plants


Michelle Wehbe Michelle Wehbe (Fort Collins)

MICHELLE.WEHBE@CUANSCHUTZ.EDU

 

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

 

Where are you from?: Brookings, South Dakota United States

 

Birthday: May 20

 

Undergraduate Institution: University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

 

Degree: BS in Neuroscience, 2013

 

Random Fact: I still have two baby teeth

 

Hobbies/Interests/Obsessions: Travel, outdoor recreation, sewing and crafts


Office of Admissions Contact Information 

  • Jeffrey SooHoo, MD, MBA
    Assistant Dean of Admissions 
  • Haylee Shacklock, MHA
    Director of Medical Education and Student Affairs 
  • Karina Goodwin, MA
    Admissions Manager
  • Lamar Cherry
    ​Senior Admissions Specialist 
  • Lindsay Willis 
    Senior Admissions Specialist

Location
Building 500, First Floor
Mailing Address: 13001 E. 17th Place, Mailstop C292
Aurora, CO 80045
Phone: 303-724-6407
Fax: 303-724-8028
Email: MD-Admissions@cuanschutz.edu