MARY CATHERINE JAMES
Gettysburg
Summary
Strategic Enrollment Leader with expertise in innovative recruitment and community outreach. Proven success in application review, relationship building, and enhancing student diversity. Experience in developing data-driven enrollment strategies that drive admissions and foster academic success. Strong background in student recruitment, retention, and team leadership, committed to creating positive experiences for prospective students and families.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Enrollment
Saint John's Catholic Prep
Frederick
06.2021 - Current
- Coordinated school tours and open house events, increasing engagement and interest among prospective families.
- Fostered relationships with prospective students through personalized communication strategies, enhancing recruitment efforts.
- Managed admissions team, streamlining application and inquiry processing to improve response times.
- Conducted outreach campaigns targeting local organizations and schools to generate interest.
- Evaluated admission applications, making informed decisions on acceptance or denial.
- Maintained comprehensive records of incoming students, including transcripts and test scores.
- Prepared reports on enrollment statistics for board of trustees meetings.
- Developed recruitment policies and procedures to streamline admissions processes.
Senior Associate Director of Admissions
Mount St. Mary's University
Emmitsburg
08.1998 - 06.2021
- Led strategic initiatives that improved student engagement and retention.
- Managed recruitment strategies, conducted interviews, and managed onboarding of new staff.
- Collaborated with faculty to develop innovative curriculum and academic support services.
- Supervised staff, providing mentorship and professional development opportunities.
- Mentored junior team members to help them reach their full potential.
- Facilitated cross-departmental communication to align goals and support collaborative initiatives.
- Developed partnerships with community organizations, enhancing outreach efforts and community involvement.
- Developed and updated operational policies and procedures.
Conference Coordinator
Mount St. Mary's University
Emmitsburg
08.1995 - 10.1996
- Coordinated logistics for academic conferences and events at Mount St. Mary's University, ensuring smooth execution and attendee satisfaction.
- Acted as a liaison between clients and vendors throughout the planning process.
- Facilitated communication between departments to streamline event planning efforts.
- Managed inquiries from participants about travel arrangements and lodging accommodations, providing timely assistance and enhancing attendee experience.
- Supported marketing initiatives to promote upcoming events within the university community, increasing awareness and engagement.
- Provided support to staff members during setup and breakdown of the event space.
Assistant Director of Annual Giving
Mount St. Mary's University
Emmitsburg
08.1993 - 08.1995
- Coordinated annual giving campaigns that successfully engaged alumni and donors.
- Developed targeted marketing materials that effectively promoted fundraising initiatives across campus.
- Managed donor databases to track contributions and maintain accurate records.
- Organized donor appreciation events that enhanced relationships with contributors.
- Trained staff and volunteers on best practices for donor engagement strategies.
Director of Admissions
St. John's at Prospect Hall
Frederick
01.1991 - 01.1993
- Assessed applications, conducted interviews, and evaluated credentials to determine eligibility for admission.
- Managed application processing and review for prospective students.
- Facilitated communication between applicants, families, and academic staff to streamline admissions processes and address inquiries effectively.
- Maintained accurate records of all applicant information and documents.
- Coordinated orientation sessions to enhance integration and support for newly accepted students.
- Organized open houses and campus tours to engage prospective students and families, showcasing campus resources and opportunities.
- Monitored progress of admitted students throughout their enrollment process.
Education
B.A. - Business/Marketing
Belmont Abbey College
Belmont, NC06-1988
Skills
- Admissions expertise
- Student recruitment
- Transfer student recruitment
- Application review
- Credit evaluations
- Degree plans
- Financial aid management
- Event coordination
- Community outreach
- Student engagement
- Team leadership
- Team collaboration
- Relationship building
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Detail oriented
- Creative
- Financial aid management
Professional Organizations
- NACAC (National Association of College Admission Counseling)
- CAPACRAO (Chesapeake & Potomac Association of Collegiate Registrars & Admission Officers)
Timeline
Director of Enrollment
Saint John's Catholic Prep
06.2021 - Current
Senior Associate Director of Admissions
Mount St. Mary's University
08.1998 - 06.2021
Conference Coordinator
Mount St. Mary's University
08.1995 - 10.1996
Assistant Director of Annual Giving
Mount St. Mary's University
08.1993 - 08.1995
Director of Admissions
St. John's at Prospect Hall
01.1991 - 01.1993
B.A. - Business/Marketing
Belmont Abbey College