Photo Gallery

John Young

Vice President and Dean of Admissions
Email: jyoung@hws.edu
Interview with me

Young was named Vice President and Dean of Admissions in June 2018. He has responsibility for leading the admissions and financial aid teams. Prior to his arrival at HWS, he worked on the admissions staffs at Colgate University and Skidmore College. He has been involved in several admissions professional organizations, most significantly the New York State Association for College Admissions Counseling. Young presents regularly at high schools across the country on a variety of topics and is a speaker at the Summer Institute for new admissions officers and college counselors. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history at Colgate University. John currently serves as the admissions counselor for students from Hartford, Litchfield, Tolland, and Waterbury Counties in Connecticut.

 

Marylyn O’Hora Uhnak

Associate Vice President and Director of International Enrollment and Success
Phone: (315) 781-3750
Email: uhnak@hws.edu
Text: (315) 290-3623
WeChat: hws_marylyn

Marylyn joined the HWS Admissions team in 2008 having spent the previous five years in admissions at her alma mater, Wells College. While at HWS, she has taken on multiple roles both within the Admissions Office as well as the Office of the President. Within admissions, her work has included campus visit and event oversight, transfer admission and international student enrollment. Branching between admissions and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, her dynamic position is focused on providing holistic support to international students, from admission all the way to graduation, and beyond.

 

Alan Paynter

Director of Admissions
Phone: (315) 781-3622
Email: paynter@hws.edu
Text: (315) 828-0951
Interview with me

Paynter came to HWS in September 2020 from Hershey, Pa., after spending the last 20 years at both Dickinson College and Lebanon Valley College in Pennsylvania where he led diversity recruitment initiatives, served as the athletics liaison, and co-coordinated social media and admissions yield strategy. He’s been a sought-after speaker on various admissions related topics as well as other motivational topics. Alan, a South Jersey native, is a first-generation college student and product of the Federal Trio Programs. He earned his bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Kutztown University and masters from Duquesne University. Paynter played football in college and has also been a high school and club track and field head coach for over 20 years. Alan is a diehard college sports fan and supporter of his three children, Christopher, Maliyah and Jaren. Alan currently serves as the admissions counselor for students from Greater Philadelphia area and the Lehigh Valley area in Pennsylvania; Montgomery County, Maryland; District of Columbia; Florida and Tennessee.

 

Kate Beyer ’07

Associate Director of Admissions, Director of New England Recruitment
Phone: (207) 577-3821
Email: beyer@hws.edu
Text: (315) 828-0965
Interview with me

Kate graduated from William Smith in 2007 with a bachelor of arts degree in individual studies – Diversity in the Workplace. Following graduation, Kate was the first AmeriCorps VISTA member at HWS, serving with the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning. She later worked at Massachusetts Campus Compact, where she was the coordinator of student initiatives. Kate returned to HWS in 2012 and currently serves as the admissions counselor for students from Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

 

Alison Boland

Associate Director of Admissions
Phone: (315) 781-3318
Email: boland@hws.edu
Text: (315) 828-0905
Interview with me

Alison graduated from State University of New York College at Buffalo where she received a bachelor’s degree in education in 2000. Prior to joining the admissions staff at HWS, Alison worked as a college and career coordinator for the Pittsford Central School district. Alison currently serves as the admissions counselor for students from Western and Central New York.

 

Sue Willard ’99

Associate Director of Admissions
Phone: (315) 781-3865
Email: willard@hws.edu
Text: (315) 325-9003
Interview with me

Sue earned a bachelor’s degree in history from William Smith College in 1999 and completed the education program. After earning a master’s degree in history and serving as a graduate assistant soccer coach at Washington College, she returned to William Smith as assistant coach for the Herons in 2001. From there, Sue went on to coach soccer at both the NCAA Division I and III levels, before rejoining HWS in the Office of Admissions. Sue currently serves as the admissions counselor for students from Fairfield County, Connecticut; Westchester County, New York; Maine; New Hampshire; Colorado and Washington State.

 

Christina Brundage

Senior Assistant Director of Admissions
Phone: (315) 781-3789
Email: cbrundage@hws.edu
Text: (315) 325-9036

Christina graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay with a bachelor’s degree in business, marketing and communication arts. Prior to joining the HWS admissions staff, she worked in finance, and as an entrepreneur. Having recently migrated from the Midwest, Christina is excited to champion all that Hobart and William Smith Colleges has to offer.

 

Max Gorton ’16

Senior Assistant Director of Admissions
Phone: (315) 781-3737
Email: gorton@hws.edu
Text: (315) 290-3337
Interview with me

Max graduated from Hobart College in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in Architectural Studies and a minor in Political Science. While at HWS he was able to study in Rome, Italy, and while on campus served as a Resident Assistant, Hobart Student Trustee, and a tutor for America Reads in the local community. Further, Max was a member of the male a capella group, the Hobartones, and enjoyed playing intramural sports. Prior to joining the Admissions staff in the summer of 2017 he worked for some time in Manhattan at an interior design and architectural firm and traveled throughout Europe. Max currently serves as the admissions counselor for students from Central and Western Pennsylvania, and the midwestern United States.

 

Jon Sebastian-Walkes

Senior Assistant Director of Admissions/Director of Diversity Recruitment & Initiatives
Phone: (315) 781-4235
Email: sebastian-walkes@hws.edu
Text: (315) 325-9039
Interview with me

Jon currently serves as the admissions counselor for students from the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island, New York.

 

Jillian Augustine

Assistant Director of Admissions and Event Coordinator
Phone: (315) 781-4514
Email: jaugustine@hws.edu
Text: (315) 828-0841
Interview with me

A Geneva native, Jillian graduated from The University at Albany, SUNY, in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in communications. Prior to joining the admissions staff, Jillian spent three summers working with Conferences and Events at HWS. She currently serves as the admissions counselor for students from the South and Gulf coast states, Hawaii, Utah, Nevada and Alaska.

 

Ryan Hofmann ’20

Assistant Director of Admissions
Phone: (315) 781-4236
Email: hofmann@hws.edu
Text: (315) 325-9047
Interview with me

Born in Tampa, Fla., and raised in Lindenhurst, N.Y., Ryan is a first-generation graduate from the Hobart and William Smith Classes of 2020 (#proud). He graduated with a B.A. in psychology and a history minor. At HWS Ryan played quarterback for the Hobart football team, was a member of Theta Delta Chi and the HWS fly fishing club, involved in the HWS leadership certificate program, a senior intern in the admissions office and worked with the athletic communications department for three years. Outside of work, Ryan enjoys staying active by fishing or playing golf. Ryan currently serves as the admissions counselor for students from the Capital District, New York; Middlesex, New Haven, New London, and Windham Counties Connecticut; Long Island, New York; Vermont; Montana; Idaho and Wyoming.

 

Caroline Turco

Assistant Director of Admissions

Email: turco@hws.edu
Text: (315) 563-2775
Interview with me

Caroline graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a bachelor’s degree in public health studies. While at Johns Hopkins, Caroline was a four-year member of the women’s lacrosse team. Prior to joining the admissions staff at HWS, she served as a medical sales representative in Baltimore, Md. In addition, Caroline is a part time assistant coach for the William Smith lacrosse team. Caroline currently serves as the admissions counselor for students from Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, California and Oregon.

 

Guillermo Castañeda ’24

Intern
Guatemala City, Guatemala
Economics Major
Hobart Soccer

 

Reece Wilson ’24

Intern
Kelty, Fife, Scotland
Architecture and Economics Double Major, Entrepreneurial Studies Minor
Office of Advancement Student Worker, Vice President of International Student Association, Art & Design Collective Club, Debate Team

 

Lauren Earley ’23

Intern
Northborough, Mass.
Media and Society Major, Entrepreneurial Studies and French Double Minor
French Club, Club Tennis, Kinetic Dance Company, Orientation Mentor

 

Eric Strait ’22

Intern
Deland, Fla.
Economics and English Double Major
Bristol Gym, Investment Club, ABP

 

Shahkyle Matthews ’22

Intern
Piscataway, N.J.
Media & Society Major, Entrepreneurial Studies Minor
Hobart Football

 

Brynn Bushey ’22

Intern
Montpelier, Vt.
Biology Major, Spanish Minor
Day of Service Co-chair, PLEN member, HWS EMS

 

Hannah Bilton ’22

Intern
Westchester, N.Y.
Biology, Political Science and International Relations Triple Major, Writing Colleagues Minor
Laurel Society, William Smith Rowing, PLEN, Koshare, Student Worker in William Smith Athletics, O’Laughlin Ambassador