Meet Our Staff

‌Khalia Banks

Admissions Recruitment Advisor
Recruitment Territory:   Manhattan

Education

Mother Cabrini High School, Class of 2009
SUNY Cortland – BA, Communication Studies, 2013

Fun Facts About Me

Passionate about music:  No matter the genre, I appreciate good music . . . I sing, too!
Sense of humor:  I love to laugh!
Africa and back:  I studied abroad in Ghana twice; it changed my life and humbled me in ways I cannot yet explain.

Why Admissions?

I had the privilege of working with the Admissions Office as a SUNY Cortland student.  That experience opened my eyes and helped me realize how much I enjoy guiding and helping others.  And, now I am excited about translating my experience to the entire SUNY system – assisting and guiding students in the right direction to positively impact their future.  I am passionate about doing all that is needed to help prospective students be successful.

Why SUNY?

As a Cortland and EOP student, I experienced first-hand the diversity of SUNY and its awesome resources.  Attending SUNY was one of the BEST decisions I’ve made, and I encourage prospective students to seriously consider joining the SUNY family!

Contact Me!

Khalia.Banks@suny.edu or 212.364.5822

Alexander Ma

Admissions Recruitment Advisor 
Recruitment Territory:  Brooklyn

Education

Leon M. Goldstein High School for the Sciences, Class of 2009
SUNY Buffalo – BA, Psychology, 2013
Canisius College – MS, School Counseling, 2015

Fun Facts About Me

Health Nut:  I go to the gym 4 times a week. At one point I was going 5 times a week!
Masterchef:  I like cooking and trying new recipes from all different cuisines and cultures. I meal prep my lunches throughout the year too.
Where Brooklyn At?!:  Brooklyn born and raised!

Why Admissions?

Before admissions, I was working with high school students on a personal level, helping them navigate the college application process. From this experience I realized how much I wanted to help students open up their world to more schools and more possibilities. With 64 different schools spread throughout all of New York, there is definitely a SUNY for you! Having the opportunity to work on both the high school side and the admissions side of the college application process, my goals are to help students make smart choices when applying to colleges and help them follow their dreams.

Why SUNY?

Being born and raised in NYC, it was certainly out of my comfort zone to go to a school that was out of the city. However, going to SUNY Buffalo was one of the best decisions of my life! All of the lifelong connections I made and the experiences I gained from going to a school that was out of NYC has contributed to the person I am today. I want to break students out of the NYC bubble and help them explore a world of possibilities with SUNY.

Contact Me!

Alexander.Ma@suny.edu or 212.364.5830

Jessica A. Perez

Admissions Recruitment Advisor 
Recruitment Territory:  Queens

Education

Civic Leadership Academy, Class of 2012
SUNY Cortland - BA, Political Science, Class of 2016

Fun Facts About Me

Dog lover: I love dogs, especially my two very spoiled Shih Tzus!
Caribbean girl:  I’m fluent in Spanish, enjoy my Latin culture, and am proud of my Cuban and Dominican roots.
Big sister: My younger sister looks and acts exactly like me.

Why Admissions?

As an undergraduate student at SUNY Cortland, I was provided opportunities that I thought I would never have. Before college I was indecisive about whether or not living on campus was for me. After completing the EOP summer program, I realized how amazing it was to have the chance to go to college and to experience a different part of New York State (I’m from NYC). I never thought I would able to go away for college because I didn’t think I could afford it. However, because of SUNY, I was able to fulfill that dream!

Why SUNY?

My experiences at SUNY have helped me become the individual I am today. The people who motivated and mentored me as an undergraduate student are the reason I’ve chosen to work as an admissions advisor. I, too, wish to motivate and mentor prospective students to follow their dreams of going away to college . . . because I know firsthand how it impacts a person’s life. I am forever thankful to SUNY for the opportunities and experiences they have given me, and I look forward to giving those experiences back to future students.

Contact Me!

Jessica.Perez@suny.edu or 212.364.5831

Gail Reilly

Regional Recruiter for New Jersey and Pennsylvania

Education

Freehold High School, Class of 1965
Long Island University - BA, English
Pace University - MEd, Administration and Supervision

Fun Facts About Me

Born teacher:   Enjoy motivating students to learn, to think creatively, to develop leadership skills and to give back to their communities
Active engagement:   Gardener, beachcomber, sea glass collector, and cemetery art and epitaphs enthusiast
Wait, there’s more:    Lover of books, art, architecture and films (in no particular order)
Theatre and movie fan:   Left 6 credits shy of earning a Cinema Studies degree at NYU
Sports fan:   NY Giants (Manning), NY Yankees (Jeter) - I’m a competitive golfer, too!

Why Admissions?

I was recruited by SUNY after retiring from Brooklyn Technical High School. While at Tech, I developed a collaborative relationship with the Center for Student Recruitment by making SUNY a viable choice for all students because of the myriad of majors it offers, as well as its accelerated and Honors programs. I was asked to serve on SUNY’s Counselor Advisory Board and was selected as the 1st recipient of the NYC Counselor of the Year award.

Why SUNY?

Working for SUNY seemed like a perfect fit as I have always been a fan. SUNY permits me to do what I love - working with students, parents and counselors in developing the right thought process and tools to complete a successful college application process. This year, in addition to central and southern New Jersey, I look forward to developing a new territory - Philadelphia School District and surrounding counties - to recruit enthusiastic SUNY applicants!

Contact Me!

Gail.Reilly@suny.edu or 518.390.1319

Dr. Jennifer K. Specter

Regional Recruiter for Delaware and Maryland

Education

Graduated from high school before most of you were born!
Bowling Green State University (OH) – BS, Education
Bowling Green State University (OH) – MEd, Counseling
University of Delaware - Ed.D., Educational Leadership, 2012

Fun Facts About Me

First pet:   Daisy, the bunny . . . I was born in the year of the rabbit, too :-)
Favorite color:   Anything vibrant and bold - like red!
States visited:   All 50; have lived in 10 of them
Favorite music:   Classic rock
Newest passion:   Weightlifting

Why Admissions? Why SUNY?

Whether preparing a gourmet meal, decorating living spaces or writing SUNY enrollment guidance publications, I love to create! In my two decades as a college recruiter, campus visit coordinator, and student transition expert, I have created connections for students and families to their colleges of choice. Student success is my passion; it feeds me to help applicants find the perfect college fit. From the culinary arts, industrial arts, and performing arts to the art of discovery, SUNY will take you where you want to go. Let SUNY be an ingredient in your recipe for success!

Contact Me!

Jennifer.Specter@suny.edu or 518.391.5207