Jim Van Blunk
Senior Associate Director of Admissions
215-204-5176
Jim oversees the Admissions and Marketing/Public Relations areas for Temple University Ambler, having joined the staff in October 2007. With over 15 years of Admissions experience, Jim is looking forward to working with the faculty, staff, and students at Ambler.
Jim enjoys running, reading, playing bad golf, and trips to the Jersey shore where his twin daughters persuade him to ride the roller coasters! He is looking forward to seeing the Owls football team play in a Bowl game in the near future!
He resides in Chester County with his wife Elaine and twin daughters Madelyn and Alexis.
Rachel Gionta
Assistant Director of Admissions
215-204-1686
Rachel helps to recruit and review applications for freshman, transfer, and adult students for Temple University from local schools and various sites throughout the region. Rachel also runs Temple's Alumni Admissions Council and works with the Alumni Club of Los Angeles, New York, Washington DC, and others throughout the country.
She graduated from Temple's School of Communications and Theater in 2004 and from the University Honors program. She also received her Master’s degree in Education from Temple in August 2008.
She is an avid fan of the Temple Owls football and basketball teams as well as the Phillies and Eagles. She also loves trying out new restaurants, traveling to different cities, laying on the beach, scrapbooking, watching decorating shows, and shopping. She was married in May 2008 to her husband Matt, who is also a Temple alum. They reside in Delaware County, PA.
Dana Schwartz
Admissions Counselor
267-468-8104
Dana helps to recruit students from the surrounding schools in Montgomery and Bucks counties, as well as review applications for undergraduate admission.
She graduated from Temple University in 2008 from the School of Liberal Arts with her Bachelor in Psychology. During her time as a student she was an Ambler Owl Ambassador, representing the campus and admissions office. This experience shaped her future aspirations to work in higher education and influence the lives of prospective students as her career path.
Dana enjoys dance, makeup artistry, Phillies games, spending time with family, learning “how to” cook, then eating dinner out instead and spending time with her husband and puppy Nicky. Dana married her college sweetheart in August of 2010, who is also a Temple alum. They reside in Montgomery County, PA.
Kate Rickards
Assistant Director of Enrollment Management
Fox School of Business
267-468-8366
Kate helps recruit both freshmen and transfer students for the Fox School of Business. She also helps new students get involved in many of the student professional organizations and programs. She holds office hours on both the Main and Ambler Campuses.
Kate is a graduate of the Fox School of Business and Management where she double majored in Marketing and Legal Studies. Currently, she is working towards her Master’s of Science in Sports and Recreation Administration from Temple University’s School of Tourism and Hospitality Management.
Outside of work and class, Kate enjoys rooting for all Philadelphia sports teams, traveling, running and anything involving the arts. She resides in Delaware County.
Ambler Owl Ambassadors represent the campus and the Admissions office by leading campus tours and providing information to prospective students and their families.
The Ambassadors are a select group of students that apply, interview, and accept these leadership positions. You can see them around campus helping at events and giving tours wearing their red shirts and a smile. Feel free to stop and ask them any questions!
If you are a student interested in a paid leadership position on campus, apply today to become an Owl Ambassador!
We are looking for positive, motivated students in good academic standing. Positions are available during the Fall and Spring semesters, and during the summer months.
Tasks during office hours include helping the Admissions office recruit new students to the campus via telephone calls, e-mail, and letters. Event duties include welcoming and directing guests, welcoming visitors to campus, giving tours, and more. For more information or an application, please contact 267-468-8100 or ambler@temple.edu.
