New Director of Enrollment Management Appointed

We are very pleased to announce that Dr. Susan Emery has been named the new Director of Enrollment Management at Kingswood Oxford School, effective July 1, 2021.

Dr. Emery brings eight years of experience in admissions and enrollment management with a proven track record in a variety of contexts, ranging from boarding schools to day schools in highly competitive markets. With her entrepreneurial zeal, Susan helped establish an international boarding school in Downtown Los Angeles. Prior to working in schools, she sat on the other side of the table helping families navigate the admissions process and guiding applicants on selecting mission-appropriate schools as a professional member of Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) and certified educational planner.  

Dr. Emery comes to KO from Whittle School & Studios in Washington, D.C., where she served as the co-head of admissions, director of financial aid, associate director of boarding admissions, and sixth-grade student advisor. While at Whittle, she led recruitment initiatives and built relationships in target markets, including strategic partnerships with corporations, embassies, feeder schools, and consultants. Prior to Whittle, Emery was the senior associate director of admissions at KO.

Head of School Tom Dillow said, “We are thrilled that Susan and her family are returning to KO. Susan is a strategic and innovative leader who will be a great addition to our Admissions department and Senior Leadership team. While at KO, she always went above and beyond what was needed to help showcase our school, and she was instrumental in building a strong foundation for the admissions department evidenced by our steady enrollment.”

Dr. Emery will oversee and be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Office of Admission and partner with our Marketing and Communication department to develop and implement effective enrollment strategies.

Dr. Emery said, “Touring campus with two exceptional Shield & Dragon ambassadors brought back familiar and contagious feelings of pride among Wyvern Nation, especially after an incredibly trying year. I appreciated seeing how KO flourished in spite of the challenges and enjoyed hearing inspiring stories of student, faculty, and staff perseverance. I couldn’t stop smiling as I walked around campus.

What excites me about the position is the ability to focus on the journey of a prospective student and enrolled family that highlights the strengths of the KO experience. Additionally, our Strategic Vision, with its emphasis on authentic and interdisciplinary learning, will help prepare students with the skills and knowledge they need to be happy, healthy, and successful. The Admissions Office, one of the many touchpoints at KO, offers families and students the opportunity to reflect on which aspects of education are most meaningful to them.”

Dr. Emery holds a doctorate (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California and a master’s degree (Ed.M.) in International Educational Development from Boston University. She attended George Washington University as an undergraduate where she majored in International Business Administration and minored in Chinese Language and Literature.