McLaughlin Named Vice President of Enrollment Management and Dean of Admission

Since joining Hamilton in January 2023 as associate vice president and dean of admission, McLaughlin has been responsible for overseeing Hamilton’s admission strategy, managing all aspects of recruitment and selection, and sustaining and improving upon recent successes the College has achieved in removing barriers and attracting record numbers of talented and diverse students from across the globe.

“In the time that he has been at Hamilton, John has demonstrated strategic vision and leadership, a genuine commitment to diversity and inclusion, an interest in building partnerships across campus, and an affinity for Hamilton,” President David Wippman said in a message to the community. “His knowledge, experience, and stature in the admission profession quickly set him apart from a large and diverse pool of candidates.”

Before Hamilton, McLaughlin served as vice dean and director of admissions at the University of Pennsylvania, where he previously served as interim dean of admissions in addition to his responsibilities as vice dean, director of admissions. At Penn, he led an undergraduate selection process that involved more than 30 admissions officers and increased applications, the proportion of Pell-eligible students in the incoming class by 40 percent, and the representation of students of color and first-generation college students.

Prior to his time at Penn, McLaughlin served as a senior research associate for the Consortium on Financing Higher Education (COFHE). McLaughlin holds an Ed.D. in higher education from Harvard Graduate School of Education, an M.Sc. in higher education from the University of Oxford, and a B.A. from Penn.

In his new role, McLaughlin will lead Hamilton in sustaining and improving the College’s success in removing barriers, attracting talented students from across the globe, and prioritizing the academic quality, diversity, and retention of the institution’s student body. As a visible spokesperson for the College, an advocate for the liberal arts, and an active voice in promoting access to higher education, McLaughlin will lead the division in establishing and cultivating relationships with prospective families, faculty, staff, school counselors, community partners, alumni, trustees, parents, and other key constituents.

A committee that included representatives from the faculty, administration, staff, student body, and the Board of Trustees conducted the search with assistance from Napier Executive Search, a higher education executive search firm known for their expertise in recruiting talented admission leaders.