Meet Our Staff

Ali Gauch, Associate Dean of Admissions

At UMW since: 1993 and still loving it!
Major responsibilities: Recruitment efforts for the undergraduate degree programs at UMW, as well as the merit scholarships awarded to incoming freshmen.
Recruitment areas: Local and central Virginia; event programs in Boston and Philadelphia.
Favorite thing about working at UMW: Recruiting and mentoring the full-ride scholars at UMW. 

 
Cris M. Hairston, Assistant Dean of Admissions

At UMW since: 2006 (UMW Class of 2004)
Major responsibilities: Athletics liaison and transfer coordinator.
Recruitment areas: Virginia, New England, Charlotte N.C.
Favorite thing about working at UMW: I enjoy the flexible working environment and the invaluable relationships that I form with students and other faculty members. I also enjoy serving as an assistant basketball coach. 

Shelley Marie Hillberry, Admissions Counselor

At UMW since: 2011 (UMW Class of 2010)
Major responsibilities: Daily information sessions, Discovery Days (UMW’s open house events), travel, and recruitment.
Recruitment areas: New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania.
Favorite thing about working at UMW: The engaged community of students, faculty, and staff, as well as the proximity to vibrant and historical downtown Fredericksburg!

Kimberly Johnston, Dean of Admissions

At UMW since: 2010
Major responsibilities: I do a little bit of everything.
Recruitment areas: A few schools in the Richmond and Virginia Beach areas and other areas where there is a need.
Favorite thing about working at UMW: I love the way the students, faculty, and staff all come together to create a community. It makes it fun to come to work!

 
Matt Kaberline, Assistant Dean of Admissions

At UMW since: 2008
Major responsibility: Discovery Days (UMW’s open house events).
Recruitment areas: Colorado, Delaware, Maryland (Montgomery County), Virginia (Fairfax County, Alexandria, Roanoke, New River Valley).
Favorite thing about working at UMW: The engaged and energetic student body.

 

Dave Pierandri, Admissions Counselor

At UMW since: 2010 (UMW Class of 2010)
Major responsibility: Working with current UMW students and involving them in recruitment and yield events.
Recruitment area: New England.
Favorite thing about working at UMW: The ability to stay involved with the campus community even though my time as a student has ended!

Cassandra Ratti, Admissions Counselor

At UMW since: 2010 (UMW Class of 2010)
Major responsibility: Helping with the Washington Guides, UMW’s student tour guide organization.
Recruitment area: New York.
Favorite thing about working at UMW: The beautiful campus and strong sense of community make promoting UMW easy work!

Rita Thompson, Senior Assistant Dean of Admissions

At UMW since: 2003
Major responsibilities: International recruitment and admissions; Rappahannock Scholars Program.
Recruitment areas: In Virginia: Arlington, Alexandria, and Fairfax counties; Manassas, Charlottesville,  Midlothian, Richmond, Chester, Tappahannock, Heathsville, Gloucester, New Oxford, Gettysburg, Hanover, Mechanicsburg, Dallastown, Red Lion, York, Glen Rock, and Harrisburg. Also Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.
Favorite thing about working at UMW: The students! They are smart, fun, and passionate about their community – and they genuinely care about each other.

Lawrence Webb, Assistant Dean of Admissions

At UMW since: 2005
Major responsibility: Programs for admitted students, including Destination UMW and Showcase.
Recruitment Areas: Texas; Georgia; Illinois; Maryland (Montgomery and Prince George’s County); Washington, D.C.; Northern and Southside Virginia.
Favorite thing about working at UMW: Working with dedicated and hard-working faculty and students!

Rachel Wyant, Assistant Dean of Admissions

At UMW since: 2005 (UMW Class of 2005)
Major responsibilities: Working with school counselors, school group visits, and alumni recruiting programs.
Recruitment area: Pennsylvania.
Favorite thing about working at UMW:  The beautiful campus hooked me from my visit to UMW as a high-school junior, and now I get to enjoy it every day at work!

 Melissa Yakabouski, Senior Assistant Dean of Admissions

At UMW since: 1994 (UMW Class of 1994)
Major responsibility: Overseeing the processing of all applications.
Recruitment Areas: Carroll, Howard, and Baltimore counties in my home state of Maryland; central Virginia
Favorite thing about working at UMW: Our fabulous Washington Guide student volunteers AND reading applications!