Plenary Session - Leading from the Top: Insights from Executive Leaders in Graduate Admissions

Friday, April 10, 2026

8:00am - 9:00am East Coast USA Time

Panelist(s)

Naronda Wright, Ed.D.

Associate Dean, Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, Georgia, United States
Amy P. Sison, EdD (she/her/hers)

Associate Vice President and Dean of Admissions
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Melissa Yeung, Ph.D., PhD (she/her/hers)

Director of Student Engagement and Enrollment Services
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, Ohio, United States
Mary Pascarella

Associate Director of Graduate Admissions
Sam Houston State University
Kittie Pain, MLitt

Director of Graduate Enrollment
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Kutztown, Pennsylvania, United States

Moderator(s)

Shaniece Miller, M.Ed.

Director of Admissions – The Graduate College
North Carolina A&T State University

Join us for an engaging and dynamic panel discussion featuring some of the most experienced voices in graduate enrollment management—Directors, Executive Directors, and Assistant and Associate Deans who lead the charge in shaping the future of graduate education. This lively session will give attendees a rare opportunity to hear directly from colleagues who live and breathe the work we do every day: advancing the mission of graduate education, driving strategic enrollment initiatives, and delivering exceptional service to students and the broader graduate community.

Through candid conversation and real-world insights, our panelists will share their perspectives on leadership challenges, innovative solutions, and the evolving landscape of graduate admissions. Attendees will gain practical strategies for navigating complex organizational priorities, fostering team growth, and aligning efforts to achieve institutional goals. Come ready to engage, ask questions, and leave inspired with actionable ideas to elevate your own leadership journey.