On Nov. 4, Hamilton College announced that John McLaughlin will join the College as Dean of Admission and Associate Vice President beginning Jan. 3, replacing former Dean Peaches Valdes, who left to join Wellesley in August.
McLaughlin is currently Vice Dean and Director of Admissions at the University of Pennsylvania, where he has worked for the past eight years. “I’m excited by the opportunity Hamilton presents, it’s a place where I can continue to learn from some really bright colleagues and faculty. I think I bring a fresh perspective here, and I look forward to bringing those and helping bring the office forward. I’m particularly interested in access for prospective students,” said McLaughlin.
Vice President for Enrollment Monica Inzer described McLaughlin’s expertise in handling staff, a strength in data science and his commitment to inclusive admissions practices as key reasons for his appointment. She also added that she had known McLaughlin professionally for years. “John (McLaughlin) and I were on a panel together several years ago and I thought, ‘this guy is the future of admissions’…he cares a lot,” Inzer said.
According to Inzer, McLaughlin’s excitement and interest in the Hamilton community was a selling point in their search for a new Dean of Admissions. McLaughlin expressed that Hamilton’s character was attractive for him and his family, stating that it “is an institutional exponent of the liberal arts. I’m drawn to the vibrancy of community and the curiosity in conversations that I saw when I visited here.” McLaughlin described the closeness of community he felt when he visited the Hill, saying, “the quality of our experience as students and as educators is so dependent upon the connections we are able to establish with one another as people.” He found that the connections and relationships at Hamilton are strong, which he is excited to continue to explore and develop.
McLaughlin explained that his first time on a college campus was helping his brother, a Hamilton alum, move into North Hall. “I remember the vibrancy and excitement in the air. Hamilton remains my reference point for what an exceptional liberal arts college should be.”
Commitment to accessibility in the admissions process was a factor McLaughlin cited as key to his decision to come to the Hill. “One of the things that really draws me to Hamilton is how forward thinking the admissions office has been in terms of accessibility, affordability, and financial aid,” McLaughlin said. He went on to describe the work he saw in the College’s admissions process, as the “forefront of the field in terms of accessibility, with strategic partnerships, for example with Questbridge, and with generous need-based financial aid.” He believes that the admissions office is committed to promoting accesibility and affordability to create more diverses classes.
Inzer and McLaughlin both acknowledged the hard work of the rest of the admissions staff, especially in the months Hamilton has not had a Dean of Admissions. “I’m really proud of this admission team and what we’ve done, and this team deserves a great leader,” Inzer said. Hamilton and its admissions team is excited to welcome McLaughlin to campus.