Tammara Gary

A collaborative and passionate admissions leader with nine years of progressive experience across independent day and boarding schools, including five years at The Agnes Irwin School building enrollment pipelines, managing tour and yield programs, and advancing access and belonging initiatives. Proven track record developing feeder-school relationships, designing recruitment and retention strategy, and leading cross-functional committees. Seeking to bring strategic vision and relationship-driven leadership to a Director of Admissions role.

Associate Director of Middle School Admission | Advisor, BGB (Brown Girls Believe) Affinity Group - The Agnes Irwin School - Bryn Mawr, PA

(2021-01)

• Grew Middle School enrollment by nearly 20% over 5 years through strategic recruitment, tour, and yield initiatives; achieved new student yield as high as 88%, consistently converting admitted families at rates well above national independent school benchmarks (typically 50-65%); contributed to a MS community that welcomed 50+ new students of color over five admission cycles, supporting the school's access and belonging initiatives
• Strengthened feeder-school pipelines through strategic school visits, fairs, and personalized touring, growing relationships that directly support enrollment goals
• Built and managed a 99-student tour guide program, developing student ambassadors as a core recruitment asset
• Designed and executed the full admissions calendar — recruitment, yield, retention, and onboarding events — across the enrollment funnel
• Led Tuition Assistance research for Middle School applicants, supporting equitable access to financial aid
• Chaired the Middle School Task Force and served on the school's Facilities RFP Committee, contributing strategic input beyond the admissions office
• Advised the Middle School's Black and Brown student affinity group, strengthening the school's culture of belonging and retention

Associate Director of Admission | Senior Class Dean | Varsity Squash Coach & Player Recruiter - Westover School - Middlebury, CT

(2017-01 - 2021-12)

• Developed targeted marketing initiatives to attract affluent families of color and homeschooled families, expanding the applicant pipeline into new communities
• Directed prospective student interviews and produced social media and acceptance-video content that shaped the school's admissions brand
• Planned and hosted monthly open houses throughout the application season, driving yield among admitted families
• Served on the Dean of Students Committee overseeing student well-being; partnered with College Counseling, Alumni, and Development on cross-office initiatives
• Led senior class programming and fundraising for the senior class gift; served as liaison between the senior class and school administration
• Recruited domestic and international student-athletes (including from Egypt and Mexico), expanding the school's global reach

Member & Director of Marketing - Independent Trust

(2020-01 - 2020-01)

Directed social media strategy and content for a non-profit connecting independent-school alumni of color (independenttrust.org)

M.Ed. - School Leadership - University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education

B.A. - Music (Major); Arabic (Minor) - Tufts University

Phillips Exeter Academy