Let's Talk
Each year, our Admission Staff makes contact with schools, counselors, students, and families around the globe, all to find the students for whom F&M is the right fit—and who are a good fit for F&M. Find your regional representative below, and connect with us whenever you are ready.
Please note: regional representative assignments are determined by the location of your high school.
United States
Pennsylvania
Chester, Delaware & Montgomery Co
US Territories (AA, AE, AP, AS, FM, GU, MH, MP, PW and VI)
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Jimmie Foster Jr.
Vice President for Enrollment Management
B.A.: Government and Politics, George Mason University
M.A.: Higher Education Administration, Drexel University -
Lukman Arsalan
Dean of Admission
B.A.: University of Jordan
M.A.: Clinton School of Public Service, University of Little Rock
larsalan@fandm.edu
Lukman hails originally from Amman, Jordan. After earning his B.A. from the University of Jordan, he journeyed to the United States to pursue first his Masters at the University of Little Rock, and later a career in higher education. Lukman's career has taken him from the University of Delaware as Study Abroad Coordinator and Assistant Director of International Recruitment; to Albion College as Associate Director of International Recruitment; and most recently to Trinity College beginning in 2016. While at Trinity, Lukman served as Senior Associate Director of Student Recruitment and Success, and as Director of Global Engagement. Lukman cares deeply about the experience of students and families interacting with the College during their search, and has earned praise from colleagues throughout his career for his sense of hospitality.
As Franklin & Marshall College's inaugural Dean of Admission, Lukman looks forward to furthering F&M's work in access and inclusion via avenues such as the American Talent Initiative. He believes deeply in the College's outlook of "Together, we create the way forward." -
Matt Arant
Assistant Director of Admission
Territories: AL, AR, GA, ID, KY, LA, MS, NC, NE, NJ (Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Salem Counties), NM, PA (Berks County, Lehigh Valley, Northeastern, Philadelphia), SC, TN, WV
B.A.: University of the Ozarks, M.P.A.: University of Kentucky
Originally from Austin, TX, Matt graduated from the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, AR in 2012 with degrees in History & Literature and Sociology. While at Ozarks, Matt was heavily involved on campus, including being team captain of the varsity tennis team and holding other leadership roles within student government and residential life. He also received a M.P.A. with a concentration in Higher Education Policy/Administration from the University of Kentucky in 2016.Prior to joining F&M, Matt worked in education policy at two national nonprofit organizations, The Council of State Governments and Women In Government and most recently served as a policy consultant to gubernatorial and Congressional campaigns in Arkansas. Matt is thrilled to work towards improving college access from the school perspective and as part of a university that strongly values improving educational accessibility and attainability for all students. -
Kevin Dyer
Senior Assistant Director of Admission
B.A.: Whitman CollegeHailing originally from Carson City, NV, Kevin graduated from Whitman College in 2013 with a B.A. in English, earning Honors in Major Study following the completion of his Creative Writing Thesis. After three years working as an Admission Officer at his alma mater, Kevin joined the Franklin & Marshall College Office of Admission in 2016, where he continues helping students from all backgrounds find their best college fit. When not on the road or reading applications, you can find Kevin stretching his inner nerd at a board game night, diving into some creative writing, walking his adorable dog, Luna, or just hanging out, enjoying a strong cup of black coffee, and devouring a good book.Favorite Places in Lancaster - Zoetropolis! It's a local art-house theater run by local business owners. Great indie films come through all the time, and every First Friday they host Fright Night, a running series of bizarre and campy horror films from all eras.Most Impactful Book I Read as a Young Adult - If age 23 counts as a young adult, House of Leaves by Mark. Z. Danielewski. Otherwise, it's Harry Potter books all the way down, my favorite being the Deathly Hallows. I grew up with Harry, and the Deathly Hallows came out the same year I graduated from high school. -
Brenda Gomez '17
Assistant Director of Admission
Territories: AZ, CA (Southern), NJ (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Union, and Warren Counties), NV, OR, WA
Brenda is a first-generation college graduate from Inglewood, California. She attended Franklin & Marshall College and studied Economics and Psychology. Prior to working at her alma mater, Brenda worked for the College Advising Corps where she had the pleasure of assisting high school seniors and their families with the college application process in order to successfully enroll them in a four-year institution. Continuing her passion for college access, Brenda also works as the Student Success Coordinator at F&M where she is the Director of F&M College Prep. She is extremely excited to now work at the other end of the spectrum in the Admission Office and is looking forward to recruiting the next generation of Diplomats in her hometown region!Favorite Travel Season Food: My parent's cooking! Since I have lived in PA for a few years now, I do miss my parent's home-cooked meals so I cannot wait to go back to Los Angeles.Favorite Hobbies: dancing, hiking, traveling and just going on new adventures! -
Hillen Grason Jr.
Associate Director of Operations and Communications
Hillen is a Maryland native, who graduated from Penn State in 2010. As a first generation and pell eligbile college student himself, Hillen is passionate about helping prospective students and their families to navigate their respective college searches. Growing up in the diverse suburbs between Baltimore, MD and Washington, DC has played a major role in shaping Hillen’s philosophy on the value of immersing one’s self in a community like F&M’s.
Hillen started his career in higher education as an Assistant Men’s Basketball coach. When not traveling or reading applications, he enjoys spending time with his wife (Brittany) and daughter (Adalee). They are avid sports fans, and are excited by the welcome they received when joining the F&M community.
Favorite Travel Season Food – Crab cake sandwich. As a Maryland native, I try to enjoy good seafood whenever and wherever I can find it!
Next “Bucket List” Travel Destination – Italy. My wife, Brittany, and I have already started planning how we will eat our way through the various regions of Italy, enjoying the variety of cuisines along the way.
Favorite Place in Lancaster – Clipper Magazine Stadium. Home of our minor league baseball team, the Barnstormers. This is a great venue to take the family and enjoy a nice summer evening.
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Emily Herbert '10
Senior Assistant Director of Admission
Territories: DC, DE, ME, PA (Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties) VT, Homeschool Students, Transfer Students
B.A.: Franklin & Marshall College
M.Ed. and Ed.S.: University of Massachusetts AmherstEmily, a proud Diplomat, graduated from F&M in 2010. She is thrilled to be back as part of the Office of Admission F&Mily. Emily majored in Psychology, minored in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies, and conducted research in the Child Development lab. Outside of the classroom Emily lived in the Office of Admission as a tour guide, was a member of Chi Omega sorority, and participated in F&M Players (theater), Sweet Ophelia (a cappella), and the Dance Team. After graduation Emily worked in the Admissions Office at the University of Massachusetts Amherst for five years. While at UMass Amherst Emily earned her M.Ed. and Ed.S. in School Counseling with a focus on grades 9-12. As part of her Master's, Emily worked in a high school counseling department in Texas for a year. Emily is thrilled to be back at her alma mater, helping future Diplomats learn about the amazing resources and supportive community F&M has to offer. Go dips!
Favorite Travel Season Food - Deep dish pizza in Chicago! I ate it every night for a week the last time I visited.
Favorite Place in Lancaster - Hands down Central Market! I love being part of a community that supports one another and our local farmers. Make sure to visit the pretzel stand for a breakfast sandwich and eat all the desserts you can find!
Best Class at F&M - Many of my favorite courses, including the class Bad Love, were through the Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies (WGSS) department. Bad Love blended WGSS, English, Sociology, and Anthropology perspectives. We examined different kinds of love and relationships that are considered taboo in our society by reading books like Lolita and watching the HBO show Bad Love. This course allowed me to think more deeply about how love and societal norms are socially constructed, while pushing me out of my comfort zone to consider what truly defines "bad" love.
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Carly Rose Hernandez '07
Associate Director of International Admission
Territories: International, US Territories
B.A.: Franklin & Marshall, M.Ed.: Millersville University
Carly is a native of snowy New Hampshire. She came to F&M as a first-year student in 2003 to pursue a degree in Creative Writing while living in the Murray Arts House, and was awarded the Barbara Nelson Prize for Distinction in Writing in 2007.
Carly has done graduate research in urban school districts in Lancaster city and began working in college admissions in 2007. Shortly after joining F&M's Office of Admission in 2011, Carly took on international recruiting and application-reading, and has been out of the country about 100 days each year in 50 countries ever since. Toting an international wifi device and mailing home postcards from Thailand and India to her two cats, Mr. Socks and Makizushi, Carly's time spent abroad allows F&M to meet students at their high schools, conduct regional interviews, and offer information sessions about attending college in the USA.
As you can imagine with this travel schedule, Carly is most easily reached via email rather than by phone, but is always in contact with the Office of Admission.
Favorite Travel Season Food (From Around the World) - Vietnamese Canh chua - all kinds!
Favorite Class at F&M - HIS400: Seminar, Plague, Famine, and Death; Life in the Middle Ages.
Next "Bucket List" Travel Destination: Pompei, Italy
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Shelby Jones '16
Assistant Director of Admission
Territories: IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, MT, ND, NY (Westchester County), OH, PA (Bucks County, North Central, Western), SD, UT, VA, WI, WY
Shelby is a 2016 F&M alumna from Hershey, PA. While on campus, she majored in Business, Organizations, and Society and minored in French Studies. She was involved in many organizations, including French Honor Society, Art Club, Cooking Club, and Greek life. After F&M, Shelby earned her Master's degree in Accounting from Wake Forest University School of Business and worked at a Big 4 accounting firm. She is thrilled to be back at F&M, a place she considers home, and to have the chance to work with many generations of Dips to come. When she's not on campus, there's a pretty good chance you'll find her downtown at one of the amazing cafes or restaurants.Favorite Places in Lancaster: It's so difficult to choose.On Orange, Rice & Noodles, Himalayan. I also love shopping at Root's market on Tuesday's!Favorite F&M Class: Culture of Chocolate. Being from Hershey, I automatically love chocolate and I couldn't pass up the chance to take a class on it!Next "Bucket List" Travel Destination: the Scottish Highlands or Singapore -
Karla Kiefer '16
Assistant Director of Admission
Territories: New York (Brooklyn, Long Island, Rockland County, and Staten Island), OK, PA (Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, and York Counties), PR, TX
B.A.: Franklin & Marshall College
Karla Kiefer was born in Ecuador and raised in Argentina before she moved to Lancaster, PA in 2001. Growing up in Lancaster City, she graduated from JP McCaskey High School in 2012 and Franklin and Marshall College in 2016. While at F&M, Karla majored in Spanish and was heavily involved in research relating to genetic disorders. Karla was also involved in Alpha Delta Phi sorority, the rowing team, and the women’s rugby team. Karla is excited to be working at her alma mater and advocating for the value of a liberal arts education. In her free time, Karla enjoys doing home renovations, volunteering at Bench Mark Program (local non-profit) and spending time with her pup, Snoopy.
Favorite Travel Season Food: I love to eat, especially anything local to the area I’m visiting.
Favorite Place in Lancaster: Walking through Central Market on Saturday morning and hiking through some local trails, like Kelly’s Run.
Next “Bucket List” Travel Destination: Cross country road trip out west.
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Philip Morabito
Assistant Director of Admission
Territories: AK, CA (Northern), CO, CT (except Fairfield County), HI, MA, NJ (Mercer and Somerset Counties), NY (Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens Boroughs)
B.A.: Dickinson CollegePhilip is originally from Radnor, PA. He graduated from Dickinson College in 2017 with a B.A. in International Business & Management and minors in Political Science and Spanish. As a student at Dickinson, Philip was involved with many campus activities and organizations including student government, residence life, and new student orientation. He was also active in the admissions office, serving as a tour guide, student interviewer, and student volunteer program intern. This experience allowed him to realize his passion for connecting students to their educational goals. Philip is excited to be in a role where he can continue advocating for the liberal arts and work with future generations of student scholars.Favorite Travel Season Food - A fresh bagel from New York City.Next "Bucket List" Travel Destination - I'd love to scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.Favorite Places In Lancaster - Downtown Lancaster is a vibrant place throughout the year, but I love exploring local businesses on First Friday, food trucks that set up shop around town, and live music and theater events that happen during the summer. -
Kaitlin Oliver '16
Senior Assistant Director of Admission & Coordinator of Multicultural Recruiting
Territories: CT (Fairfield County), FL, KS, MD, MO, NH, NY (Upstate excluding Rockland and Westchester Counties), RI
B.A.: Franklin & Marshall CollegeKaitlin grew up in the small town of Norwalk, CT. She is a 2016 graduate from Franklin & Marshall College where she majored in the Scientific & Philosophical Studies of the Mind and minored in Religious Studies. She was heavily involved on campus where she was a leader in various clubs and organizations, such as SISTERS, Diversity Council, Squash ACES, and Greek Life. She worked in the Office of Admission as a student worker, which helped her find her interest and passion in Admission work. Kaitlin loves working at her alma mater; a place that has given her so many opportunities and provided her with a great support system. She loves recruiting the next generations of Diplomats!Favorite Travel Season Food - TropiChop Bowl from Pollo Tropical in Miami, FL.Favorite Places on Campus - Hartman Green and Shadek-Fackenthal Library.Favorite Class at F&M - PHL 362: Love and Friendship really opened my eyes to what it means to be a liberal arts student and talk about real life experiences in an academic setting. This course taught me the broader scope of the value of the concept of love and the concept of friendship in how they are (or are not) justified, and how they contribute to the identity of an individual.