Meet the Admission Team
Jamie Buffington
Browne '85
Director of Admission
Favorite spot on campus: Yellow Parlor
Favorite Catalina tradition: Father-Daughter Weekend
Bio:
Jamie began her "Catalina journey" in grade 5 and attended Catalina as a day student until her junior year when she became a boarder. 25 years later she returned as Director of Admission and has lived on campus and served in this role for seven years. Jamie has a husband, Chris, and two adult children. Her daughter also graduated from the Lower and Middle School and Upper School. Jamie understands, firsthand, how Catalina is more than a superb education—it is a life-affirming and life-changing experience. It is a privilege to be in a position to offer such an opportunity to young women who will go out into the world and change the lives of others in significant ways.
Ala Milani '87
Associate Director of Admission
Favorite spot on campus: St. Francis of Assisi garden
Favorite Catalina tradition: Ring Week
Regions covered: Local/day and international markets
Bio:
Splitting her childhood between Paris, Rome, and chilly Michigan, Ala and her family settled in Monterey and discovered Santa Catalina. Ala is a graduate of the Lower and Middle School and the Upper School and is proud to share her passion for the school with young women and their families. Ala has worked in Admissions for 10 years and her favorite part of the job is welcoming young girls as they begin their Catalina journey and watching them grow into the amazing, talented, happy, fulfilled, confident, young women ready to face the world. When she’s not working, you will often find Ala spending time at Carmel Beach with her daughter and her two adorable dogs.
Kelsey Player '11
Associate Director of Admission
Favorite spot on campus: Hacienda Courtyard
Favorite Catalina tradition: Ring Week
Regions covered: Northern and Southern California, the Western states, Southwest, and Texas
Bio:
Growing up in a mountain town in Idaho, Kelsey joined the Santa Catalina family in 2007 as a boarding student. Kelsey attended Texas Christian University, and upon graduation returned to Santa Catalina to join the admission team. As the associate director of admission, Kelsey works with domestic boarding candidates. Her enthusiasm for Santa Catalina School is boundless and it shines through in her work with prospective students and their families. Kelsey lived on campus in the freshman dorm as a resident faculty member for two years. She is a passionate swimmer. You can often find her at the side of the pool cheering on our Catalina girls.
Sarah Kline
Associate Director of Admission
Favorite spot on campus: The Alumnae Garden (and organic garden)
Favorite Catalina tradition: B. R.E.A.L. performance clubs show
Regions covered: Central California, Midwest, East and Mid-Atlantic states
Bio:
Sarah joined Catalina in 2018 following a professional journey that has included working in the admission industry at several boarding schools and in higher education. She most recently worked for The Enrollment Management Association, well known for the SSAT. She is currently working on an M.A. from Johns Hopkins University. As a resident faculty member for Hills Dorm, she lives on campus with her husband, Matt, a retired U.S. Navy senior chief, and their youngest daughter, Madison, who attends Santa Catalina Lower and Middle School; she also has a teenage step-daughter, Megan. The Klines lived in England; Turkey; Whidbey Island, Washington; and Annapolis, Maryland, before returning to Monterey, the city where they met. Sarah, an Indiana native, enjoys spending time in nature and loves to be in, on, or near the water. As a family, the Klines enjoy hiking, camping, crafts, puzzles, and game nights.
Helen Young
Admission Office Coordinator
Favorite spot on campus: The Hacienda Courtyard
Favorite Catalina tradition: Father-Daughter Weekend
Bio:
Helen joined Santa Catalina’s admission office in 2019. The Monterey native enjoys hiking, running, horseback riding, going to the beach, crafting, and spending time with her two children, Sofia and Lucas. As the office coordinator, she loves interacting with prospective students and their families.