Following a national search, the University of Rochester has appointed Megan Ryan as assistant vice provost for enrollment. Ryan will provide strategic direction and oversight for undergraduate recruitment and admissions for the School of Arts and Sciences and the Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
As a key member of the Enrollment division senior management team, Ryan will lead initiatives that strengthen Rochester’s position as a leading independent research university—one of the few institutions that meets demonstrated financial need and offers merit scholarships, including for international students.
“Megan is an exceptional addition to our team,” said Robert Alexander, vice provost and university dean of enrollment. “Her collaborative leadership style, analytical approach, and commitment to student success align perfectly with Rochester’s values and vision, and her understanding of contemporary admissions practices and market trends will be instrumental in achieving the University’s enrollment goals. I’m also deeply grateful for the interim leadership that Sam Veeder, associate vice provost and university director of financial aid, provided the Admissions Office during this past cycle.”
Ryan brings extensive experience, most recently serving as vice president for enrollment management at Muhlenberg College, where she achieved sustained enrollment growth and grew application volume by 20% in three years. Ryan has led and mentored teams across the Offices of Admissions, Financial Aid, and Institutional Effectiveness, fostering a high-performance, growth-focused culture centered on relationship development and enrollment success.
Prior to her role at Muhlenberg, Ryan served as interim vice president for enrollment and as executive director of admissions and financial aid at Allegheny College, and as associate director of admission at Carnegie Mellon University. Ryan’s academic credentials include graduate degrees from Carnegie Mellon the National University of Ireland, and a bachelor’s degree from Villanova University. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Ryan has held leadership roles within the Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling (PACAC) and contributed to the broader enrollment profession through service to the National Association for College Admission Counseling, the Common App, and other national organizations. Through these associations, Ryan has advanced best practices in enrollment management, and fostered collaboration and professional development across the higher education community.
“I’m drawn to Rochester by its institutional mission and commitment to Meliora values,” Ryan said. “I am a firm believer in striving to be ever better and bring this approach to building teams and enrollment strategies every day. As a Rochester native, I know well the role the University plays as an educational leader in the region, and as a national presence in research and impact.”
Ryan will begin her role on July 30, and will lead and develop a large and dynamic admissions team to identify, recruit, and enroll students who embody the University’s mission, advance institutional goals, and provide transformative educational opportunities to outstanding students.