Admission

Meet our Team

List of 7 members.

Lisa Wu

Director of Enrollment and Strategic Communications

626-396-6321

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Lisa’s favorite Poly tradition is the annual Lower School Book Fair because it taps into her love of young adult graphic novels. Her favorite spot on campus is the Upper School Library balcony or a seat in the bleachers on Babcock Field watching her daughters play their favorite Poly sports! While away from campus, Lisa is working on her slice backhand and honing her ability to write upside-down and backwards (from left to right)!
Kate Austin

Admission Systems and Office Manager

626-396-6322

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Kate’s secret superpower is interior design. You can see her handiwork in the Admission office! The Lower School Garden is her favorite spot on campus, and she also enjoys both libraries. Outside of work, she enjoys running, camping, reading, listening to all kinds of podcasts, and going to museums. She is currently in grad school for an M.A. in Art History.
Gretel Barsotti

Advancement and Admission Outreach Officer

626-396-6339

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Gretel’s favorite Poly tradition is Grandparents and Special Friends Day. She can always spot hidden treasure in any antique or thrift store. Outside of work she loves reading, watching movies, traveling, and thrifting. Her favorite spot on campus is Wendy’s Garden.
Esinam Bediako

Assistant Director of Admission, Middle School

626-396-6324

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The spot where you can most likely find Esi on campus is the library courtyard on North Campus. Outside of work, she spends a lot of time chasing after her two sons as they scooter around the neighborhood. She also enjoys reading and attempting to write fiction, cooking, watching movies and TV, and video chatting with friends and family back east.
Bobbie Jo Dobbs

Associate Director of Admission, Upper School

626-396-6323

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BJ’s favorite Poly tradition is rivalry week! The classes really come together to win points throughout the week to try and “beat” the other grade levels. Arden Lawn is the best spot on campus according to her. It’s beautiful and relaxing any time of day. Outside of work she enjoys crafting, DIY, and gardening.
Lindsay Morales

Financial Aid Director; Assistant Director of Admission

626-396-6326

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Lindsay’s favorite Poly tradition is the school-wide opening assembly at the start of each school year. She loves to watch the kindergarteners' faces as they experience Poly for the first time! Outside of work, you can catch her running around the Rose Bowl, finishing a book from her (never-ending) reading list, or listening to her favorite true-crime podcast.
Alex Velasco

Lower School Dean of Student Life; Lower School Admission Liaison

626-396-6437

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Outside of work, Alex enjoys spin class, spending time with family (also known as chasing her two sons around), and reading. She thinks the best spot on campus is the kindergarten classrooms and her favorite Poly tradition is the Lower School buddy program. Her secret superpowers are organizing and cleaning. She also speaks fluent Spanish.

Our Student Ambassadors

Alex ’25

Alex’s favorite class is history. She’s inspired by her seventh grade geography teacher Mr. Johnson. "He is really great at teaching and is also always happy to talk with you.” Her favorite area on campus is anywhere with lots of trees.
Ayush ’23

Ayush’s favorite class is Film History & Application. In ninth grade he was involved in yearbook, debate, ambassadors club, and The Paw Print. His favorite spot on Poly’s campus is the library because not only does it provide many great, informative books relating to the topics his classes studies, but it also provides an excellent study center. Ayush says, “The teacher that had the most faith in me and is the most inspiring is Ms. Holmgren because her way of teaching analysis and creativity has influenced me to this day.”
Elias ’25

Elias’ favorite class is art. He is also involved in Poly’s tennis program. His favorite spot on campus is the North Campus Library. Like many other students, he always enjoys the Poly Pet and Hobby Show each year!
Lyla ’25

Lyla is in debate and the Middle School orchestra. This year she plans to join some of the eighth-grade Poly sports teams. Her favorite Middle School memory has been class trips because they really give students a chance to get to know our classmates better. Her most inspiring teacher has been Mrs. Breen in fifth grade because she was always so kind and knew how to help when Lyla didn't understand something. “She really cared about not just one’s academic life but our interests too.”
Morgan ’24

Morgan’s favorite class at Poly is Spanish. She says, “One of the best feelings is being able to have a conversation in an entirely different language besides my first one.” She loves the second floor of the North Campus Library. In Middle School her favorite Poly tradition was the music and snack bar on Fridays because it made the atmosphere very fun and definitely made Fridays feel exciting.