McHenry, MD – Melissa Wass, Garrett College’s director of admissions and recruitment, has been selected to participate in College Board’s 2025-26 Enrollment Leadership Academy.
The academy is a year-long program focused on leadership skills, strategic enrollment management, and developing the next generation of enrollment leaders, according to College Board officials. It’s designed for experienced admissions and financial aid professionals from member institutions with 5-10 years of experience in the field.
Wass, who started at Garrett College in 2014 as a part-time admissions counselor, was nominated by Kim DeGiovanni, GC’s registrar and associate dean.
“Melissa leads the admissions and recruitment team with reliability and professionalism, while also overseeing high school dual enrollment, managing international admissions, and supporting daily office operations,” DeGiovanni said of Wass. “She has played an instrumental role in working with Academic Affairs on strategic initiatives, including the implementation of the Maryland Blueprint for Success.”
Wass transitioned to a full-time admissions counselor in 2015 and became coordinator of admissions in 2016. She was promoted to director in 2019 – about five months before COVID hit.
“It took several years for us to kind of catch up to where we’d been prior to COVID,” Wass observed. “With the pandemic behind us, this seemed to be a good time to move forward, begin networking with other colleges, and examine some of the nationwide trends in recruitment and enrollment.”
Dr. Robert “JR” Kerns, Garrett’s dean of student affairs, said Wass will be a valuable addition to the College Board program.
“Melissa brings a rare combination of strategic insight, steady leadership, and genuine care for the people and mission of our college,” said Kerns. “She has also consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to student success.
“Melissa had been instrumental in helping the College return to pre-COVID enrollment levels, along with providing invaluable leadership on key initiatives like dual enrollment and international admissions,” added Kerns. “This opportunity will further strengthen her leadership capacity as she prepares to take on even greater responsibilities in the years ahead.”
DeGiovanni agreed.
“With key leadership retirements anticipated in the coming years, Melissa is well-positioned to take on greater responsibility, and participation in the Enrollment Leadership Academy will be instrumental in further developing the skills needed for future leadership roles,” DeGiovanni said.
Wass said she came to GC in part because she has “always liked working with people and helping students.”
“This was an opportunity to help students find their path to success,” said Wass, who graduated from West Virginia University in 2007 with a degree in criminology. “I enjoy helping them meet their goals.”
College Board is a non-profit organization that operates the AP Program and SAT Suite, in addition to numerous other college-related programs. The ELA program includes eight meetings, four virtual and four in-person.
