Mariana Sablan

Who Am I?

Hafa Adai!

I am an island girl (my father’s family is from Guam) raised in a desert (my mother’s family is from Utah) relocated to humid and historic Virginia. I graduated with a BS in Economics, focusing on Statistical Analysis and an HBS in Political Science from the University of Utah, an institution “just around the mountain” from the small town I grew up in. Being from Utah, I am a big fan of skiing and camping up in the mountains, but I also love exploring new cities and trying every restaurant/coffee joint/local boutique that is recommended to me. Additionally, I love to appreciate and (attempt to) create art and music in my down time.

Why Admission?

As a first-generation college student, I remember being just a kid in high school with a dream to go to college but not knowing how or where to start. Working with the admissions team at the University of Utah allowed me to connect with prospective students who were in the same boat as I was in high school, and I got to serve as a resource for them. I have always had a deep desire to help people with my work, and being a part of the W&M Admission staff allows me to support and assist students as they navigate a process that was very scary for me.

Why W&M?

I wanted to leave the mountainous west that I had known my whole life and gain new experiences in a new place. You’ll hear it from students, staff and faculty alike, but the best part of William and Mary is the people. The community here truly does welcome everyone with open arms and I knew that was an environment I wanted to be in and a community I wanted to be a part of. Not to mention, the beauty of Williamsburg and the William & Mary campus alone are enough to make anyone want to stay a while (and the fact that I don’t have to deal with Utah winters doesn’t hurt either).

Fun Facts:

1. I am a huge sports fan! You can always count on me to cheer on the University of Utah’s teams as well as the Pittsburgh Penguins and Pirates. However, my love for the Pittsburgh Steelers reigns supreme. Did you know that Mike Tomlin, the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers and record holder for the longest streak of non-losing seasons as a head coach, attended William & Mary?
2. While in college, I was in a glam rock cover band.
3. I can juggle.