Prospective Student Representatives 2026

Jacob Duenas III standing on a beach, wearing a jacket. Jacob 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 standing at a beach, holding an ice cream cone. Dressed in white. 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 posing between columns, wearing jacket. 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 peeking over her jacket color. Wearing beanie hat. Snow in background. 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 sitting on a bench. Wearing white. Grass background. 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 Hemond standing on a farm, holding a box of berries. Wearing jeans and striped top. Ry 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


Close photo Owen Zielinski smiling. Owen 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 wearing black puffy coat, sitting on ledge over canyon. 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 sitting on a rocky beach. Wearing jeans and black top. 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 
  • Karina Goodwin, MA
    Admissions Manager
  • Lamar Cherry, BA
    ​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 


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