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Joanna Caples
Assistant Director of Admissions and Regional Recruitment
Hometown: Westminster, MD
Education
B.A. in Fine Arts | Bridgewater College | 2014
Who am I?
Hello my friends! I am Joanna and I am the Assistant Director of Admissions and a regional recruiter. While I am not an alumnus of UMW myself, I did choose a small private liberal arts and sciences college in Virginia when I was looking at schools, Bridgewater College, to study art and participate in the equestrian program during my college career.
I've been in admissions since 2017, at both a small private school and a large public school before joining the team at UMW. Here, I work with most of our out of state population, from Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware and DC to Florida and Georgia to West Virginia all the way out to California, North Dakota all the way down to Texas, I even work with the international students looking at UMW.
My love for this field comes from being able to help students as they navigate this exciting time. The world is your oyster at this point and getting to be a part of this process for you is both an honor and a privilege. Finding your college fit comes in so many parts, from academic programs to campus feel even to making sure your favorite restaurant is nearby, everyone finds their "why" somewhere different.
I've been in admissions since 2017, at both a small private school and a large public school before joining the team at UMW. Here, I work with most of our out of state population, from Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware and DC to Florida and Georgia to West Virginia all the way out to California, North Dakota all the way down to Texas, I even work with the international students looking at UMW.
My love for this field comes from being able to help students as they navigate this exciting time. The world is your oyster at this point and getting to be a part of this process for you is both an honor and a privilege. Finding your college fit comes in so many parts, from academic programs to campus feel even to making sure your favorite restaurant is nearby, everyone finds their "why" somewhere different.
Why Mary Washington?
UMW gives you the best of both worlds in the realm of college. With the small liberal arts school offerings in terms of programs and class sizes but the large state school feel in terms of student body and alumni networks, we really have a unique place here. Fredericksburg gives you the quaint historic town feel while still offering coffee shops and restaurants that college towns are known for. The people you will meet on campus and in the community are incredible. Every college will say their student body is unique, and that is definitely true for UMW. Our students are just as passionate about their research as they are about their theatre and their championship basketball win, even if they are not on stage or on the court themselves. But really, you have to come experience it for yourself with a visit to campus!
What's one thing more people should know about UMW?
I wish more people knew just how many academic offerings there are here. Historic preservation, Biology, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Kinesiology, Classics, Pre-Engineering, and everything in between. We're not just an Arts school, or a Humanities school, or a STEM and Research school, we have so many options for students to choose for their major/minor combination!
Three fun facts about me
- • I have a sourdough starter that has been active since the 1980s in San Francisco.
- • Every other year, I take a solo cross-country road trip to see national parks out west, so far having been to or through 38 of the 50 states.
- • I have a golden retriever named Midas who recently met and got pets from Dion Dawkins, of the Buffalo Bills, at a racetrack.
