Dana Matassino
Summary
Innovative and student-centered educational leader with 19+ years of experience spanning independent schools, higher education admission, and nonprofit scholarship programs. Proven ability to lead high-performing teams, design comprehensive counseling and enrollment strategies, advise students and families through complex decision-making, and partner with senior leadership and external stakeholders. Deep expertise in national admissions trends, enrollment management, and postsecondary advising.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Dean of College Counseling
Ranney School
Tinton Falls, NJ
07.2022 - Current
- Provide strategic leadership for a comprehensive, four-year college counseling program serving students and families across all grade levels.
- Set vision, priorities, and operational goals for the college counseling office in alignment with institutional mission and best practices.
- Advise a caseload of students and families through the college search, application, and decision-making process.
- Supervise, mentor, and evaluate members of the college counseling team, fostering professional growth and consistent counseling standards.
- Design and deliver parent and student programming focused on admissions trends, timelines, and postsecondary planning.
- Build and sustain relationships with college admission representatives; host on-campus visits and represent the school at professional conferences.
- Oversee application data and outcomes tracking using SCOIR/Naviance to inform continuous program improvement.
Associate Dean of College Counseling
Ranney School
Tinton Falls, NJ
07.2019 - 07.2022
- Supported leadership and execution of a cohesive, four-year college counseling curriculum.
- Test Coordinator for Advanced Placement, PSAT, SAT and ACT exams.
- Advised a defined caseload of students and families, providing individualized guidance aligned with academic, extracurricular, and personal goals.
- Collaborated with faculty, advisors, and administrators to align academic planning with college readiness.
- Planned and facilitated workshops, information nights, and small-group sessions for students and parents.
- Modeled best practices in counseling, communication, and student advocacy while mentoring colleagues.
- Used admissions data and trends to inform program refinement and counseling strategy.
Associate Director
Lenfest Scholars Foundation
Remote, PA
09.2018 - 06.2019
- Vetted, purchased and implemented a new scholarship application platform, SmarterSelect, for 2018-19 application cycle.
- Initiated implementation of the Foundation's first CRM; Salesforce.
- Reviewed 400+ scholarship applications, making finalist and recipient recommendations.
- Coordinated a three-day Leadership Weekend for ~200 scholars and alumni at Gettysburg College.
- Organized scholar and alumni networking events in Philadelphia, New York City, and Washington, DC.
Director, Undergraduate Admission
Marymount University
Arlington, VA
09.2016 - 06.2018
- Led undergraduate admission strategy for first-year, transfer, and international enrollment.
- Oversaw a department of 17 staff, directly supervising 6 senior leaders.
- Served on leadership team for Technolutions Slate implementation.
- Established application review guidelines and priority deadlines; final reviewer for international and transfer applicants.
- Managed relationships with deans, university leadership, athletics, and dual-enrollment partners.
- Served on university-wide committees including Strategic Planning and Academic Standards.
Director of Admission
Ursinus College
Collegeville, PA
02.2013 - 08.2016
- Directed enrollment strategies for first-year, transfer, and international students.
- Hired, trained, and supervised 14 professional and administrative staff.
- Managed a $1.4M operating budget.
- Reviewed approximately 3,000 applications annually and awarded merit-based scholarships.
- Supervised external enrollment consultants and led recruitment, marketing, and communications initiatives.
Associate Director of Admission
Ursinus College
Collegeville, PA
07.2011 - 02.2013
Associate Director of Admissions
Lafayette College
Easton, PA
01.2010 - 01.2011
Senior Assistant Director of Admissions
Lafayette College
Easton, PA
01.2008 - 01.2010
Assistant Director of Admissions
Lafayette College
Easton, PA
01.2005 - 01.2008
Education
Master of Arts - College Student Personnel Administration
Seton Hall University
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
Gettysburg College
Skills
- College counseling leadership
- Enrollment strategy
- Team supervision
- Postsecondary advising
- Admissions policy and practice
- Parent and student education
- Data management systems
- SCOIR and Naviance
- Slate and Salesforce
Websites
Timeline
Dean of College Counseling
Ranney School
07.2022 - Current
Associate Dean of College Counseling
Ranney School
07.2019 - 07.2022
Associate Director
Lenfest Scholars Foundation
09.2018 - 06.2019
Director, Undergraduate Admission
Marymount University
09.2016 - 06.2018
Director of Admission
Ursinus College
02.2013 - 08.2016
Associate Director of Admission
Ursinus College
07.2011 - 02.2013
Associate Director of Admissions
Lafayette College
01.2010 - 01.2011
Senior Assistant Director of Admissions
Lafayette College
01.2008 - 01.2010
Assistant Director of Admissions
Lafayette College
01.2005 - 01.2008
Master of Arts - College Student Personnel Administration
Seton Hall University
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
Gettysburg College