WASHINGTON, PA (Oct. 22, 2018) – After a national search, Washington & Jefferson College (W&J) welcomes Nicole Focareto as the new Vice President for Enrollment Management.
Focareto comes to W&J with more than 15 years of experience in higher education leadership and enrollment management, most recently at Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, N.C. where she served as Dean of Admissions. She will begin her post at W&J College on Nov. 1, 2018.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent and serve Washington & Jefferson College as the Vice President for Enrollment Management. I look forward to working with the W&J leadership team to increase national visibility, implement innovative enrollment strategies, and collaborate across campus with meaning and purpose.”
Jamie March, Ph.D., associate professor of biology and chairman of the Vice President of Enrollment Management Search Committee, described Focareto as an innovative and strategic enrollment leader who has consistently built success throughout her career.
“We are very excited to welcome Nicole to our W&J family,” he said. “She understands the importance of collaborative relationships and prides herself on team building and clear communication of shared goals. Most importantly, she knows that the ultimate measure of our success is the success of W&J graduates. We are confident that Nicole will succeed in leading the W&J enrollment strategy to continually identify, engage and enroll talented students who will embrace the amazing opportunities at W&J and become the much needed leaders of the future.”
While at Belmont Abbey College, Focareto’s accomplishments included surpassing recent enrollment goals, as her efforts led to a significant increase in enrollment numbers for both transfer and new traditional students. She achieved similar success in previous positions including at The Cleveland Institute of Art in Cleveland, Ohio, among other institutions.
She has frequently presented at conferences of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), and of numerous other local and national organizations, on topics including financial aid, college planning, and engaging students and parents in the college selection process. In addition to NACAC, her professional affiliations include the Ohio Association of College Admission Counseling (OACAC), Newman Guide College Admissions Officers, Southern Association of College Admission Counseling, Catholic Colleges Admissions Association, and the Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers. She has also served as an active volunteer in her community.
Focareto holds both a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education and leadership studies and a masters degree in education from Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio.
About Washington & Jefferson College
Washington & Jefferson College, located in Washington, Pa., is a selective liberal arts college founded in 1781. Committed to providing each of its students with the highest-quality undergraduate education available, W&J offers a traditional arts and sciences curriculum emphasizing interdisciplinary study and independent study work. For more information about W&J, visit washjeff.dev, or call 888-W-AND-JAY.
