Lewis & Clark names new CAS Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid

President Barry Glassner announced today that Lisa Meyer will become the new CAS Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid. Meyer, who serves as Vice President of Enrollment at Whittier College, will begin July 5. An Oregon native and Willamette graduate, Meyer has led admissions at Whittier since 2004, demonstrating great expertise in marketing and financial aid management.

“Lisa brings an abundance of experience, energy, and informed ideas as well as a strong affinity for Lewis & Clark,” Glassner said. “It’s hard to imagine a better conclusion to the national search for our next admissions dean—a search that attracted strong interest from talented and accomplished enrollment-management professionals throughout the country and brought four outstanding candidates to campus.”

Previous to her position at Whittier, Meyer was Dean of Admissions and Associate Vice President for Institutional Image at the University of La Verne in California. She has also served as Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations and Stewardship at Scripps College; Director of College Guidance at the Webb Schools in Claremont, Calif.; Director of Admission at Pitzer College, and Assistant Director of Admission and Financial Aid at Pacific University.

In addition to her undergraduate work at Willamette, Meyer has a master’s degree in English Literature from Boston College and has pursued doctoral studies at Claremont Graduate University.

From growing up in Oregon and working in the higher ed sector, Meyer said she is well-versed in Lewis & Clark’s liberal arts education and sees its unique value in a world that has become so connected and challenging.

“Now, more than ever, Lewis & Clark’s mission resonates with what is happening in the state, the country, and the world,” Meyer said. “Whether training nimble thinkers to navigate and lead in a challenging—and fast-changing—global economy, growing an informed citizenry who is actively engage in social and political initiatives, or fostering emerging talent in the arts, sciences, and humanities, Lewis & Clark has a solid history of preparing its graduates to succeed in life, both professionally and personally.

“I look forward to representing this remarkable college to the broader community, and to working closely with students and their families as they explore the limitless possibilities inherent in a Lewis & Clark education.”

Meyer’s appointment concludes a search that began last fall under the direction of an eight-member search committee and with the help of Lahti Search Consultants.

Interim dean Jim Sumner, who was instrumental in the search, said he was thrilled for Lewis & Clark to have attracted such a well-respected professional with such wide-ranging experience.

“In addition to her strong, vital knowledge of Lewis & Clark’s key admission markets, advanced technical and data skills, and record of vast productivity, Lisa has an impressive track record as a savvy marketer and as a scholar in her own right,” Sumner said. “Trustees, professors, students and staff with whom she has worked are consistently appreciative of her work ethic, creativity, and collegiality.”

The CAS Dean of Admissions Search Committee members included:

Janis Lochner, Biochemistry Program Chair and Professor, Search Committee Chair
Tricia Brand, Associate Dean of Students/Director of Multicultural Affairs
Rachel Cole, Assistant Professor of English
Eli Fabens, Undergraduate Student
Chris Fantz, Head Swim Coach, Aquatics Director/Instructor
Art O’Sullivan, Dr. Robert B. Pamplin Jr. Professor of Economics
Brian White, Associate Director of International Students and Scholars
Jane Atkinson, Vice President and Provost (ex officio)

Meyer is married to Darren Ferris, and they have a 16-year-old son, Austin. Meyer said she and her family will be making trips to Portland over the spring and look forward to taking advantage of the outdoors and local food scene.