Meet the team that will help you navigate the college search and application process and help you find the perfect college to start the next chapter in your life’s journey.
Leadership
Edward J. Connor 
Assistant Vice President of Enrollment
Dean of Admissions
After serving in various admissions roles at Dean in the 1990’s, Ed returned to the college in 2015. In his role, Ed oversees the Office of Admissions and supervises the Admissions Team. He enjoys helping students and families navigate the college admissions process and find the school that’s right for them.
FUN FACT: Ed has traveled to over 25 countries.
Admissions Counselors
Kaeley Cahill '21
Senior Admissions Counselor
Territory: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut (Hartford, New London, Tolland, and Windham Counties), Hawaii, Massachusetts (495 Corridor and Metro West), New York (NYC, Upstate and Westchester/Rockland/Putnam), Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, and Washington.
Kaeley Cahill is a Colorado native and a proud alumnus of Dean College. She graduated with a B.A in Dance in 2021. While she was a student, she discovered her passion for Admissions and working in the community at Dean.
FUN FACT: As a young girl, Kaeley was terrified of the moon because she was sure it was following her! Now, she is fascinated by the study of space and astrology.
Arielle DelFino 
Assistant Director of Admissions
Territory: Rhode Island, Transfer Applicants, and Arch Learning Community Applicants.
Arielle joined the Admissions team in 2016 after graduating with her master’s degree in School Counseling from Manhattan College. She is able to use her knowledge and insight with first-year students from her territories. Arielle also works with transfer students and students applying to the Arch Learning Community.
FUN FACT: Her now husband proposed to her after running the Boston Marathon. They welcomed their first child in 2022.
Alexis DeVogt ’16
Admissions Recruiter
Territory: Florida
Alexis is a proud Dean alumna who earned her B.A. in Dance and A.A. in English in 2016 before completing a master’s degree in Sports Leadership and Collegiate Athletic Administration at Northeastern University. She previously worked in Dean’s Admissions Office and later spent four years supporting international students through the U.S. college enrollment process. Now based in Fort Myers, Alexis is excited to once again help prospective students discover Dean.
FUN FACT: Alexis met her husband at Dean in 2015. They are now married and have three children!
Cate Grahl
Admissions Counselor
Territory: Cape Cod and the Islands, Upstate New York and Western Massachusetts
Cate graduated from American University with a degree in International Relations, focusing on languages, East Africa and aid and development. Before joining Dean, she worked as a Legal Research Assistant with the Kenyan Human Rights Commission, where she worked directly with marginalized communities in Nairobi to document human rights concerns and support legal advocacy.
FUN FACT: Cate loves dogs – especially St. Bernards – and is a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo.
Tanya Linehan
Seasonal Admissions Recruiter
Territory: Eastern Massachusetts
Tanya brings extensive experience supporting students, families and educators to her role at Dean. Before joining the Admissions team, she worked as a Special Education Administrator in public and private schools, helping students identify and access the resources they need to thrive. Tanya earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Education from Clemson University and her master’s degree in Educational Psychology from SUNY Albany.
FUN FACT: Tanya loves baking and decorating cakes and cookies and turning sweet treats into edible works of art.
Jorge Marinez
Senior Admissions Counselor
Territory: Massachusetts (Boston, Norfolk and Bristol Counties, and South Coast), New York (Long Island), Texas, and Transfer Applicants.
Jorge joined the Admissions team in 2024 after working three years as a College Guidance Counselor at his high school alma mater. Always wanting to work in higher education, Jorge believes he has found his calling and is excited to share with prospective students why Dean College would be their best fit school.
FUN FACT: I'm a die-hard fan of the Avatar the Last Airbender series and have watched it over 100 times. I also love playing TTRPGs like Dungeons & Dragons and, recently, Pathfinder. As a father to three amazing boys, I hope to impart my nerdiness onto my children as they get older.
Chris Monteforte
Assistant Director of Admissions
Territory: Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts (Greater Lowell/Andover, North Shore, and Central, MA), Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Washington D.C.
Chris began his admissions journey at Fitchburg State University as a student tour guide, and has gone on to work on both the operations and counselors’ side of college admissions. Chris is originally from the North Shore in Massachusetts and majored in Psychology
FUN FACT: I’ve played with rescued wolves at a wolf sanctuary in New Jersey.
Ashley Reed '17
Senior Assistant Director of Admissions
Recruitment Coordinator, Dance programs
Territory: Dance Students; Florida and Massachusetts (Franklin Area Schools and South Shore).
Ashley graduated from Dean College with a B.A. in Arts and Entertainment Management and returned to Dean to work in Admissions in 2018. After her time as a student tour guide, she found her career in higher education by blending her passion for the arts and helping others. In addition to working with students in her territory, she serves as the recruitment coordinator for the Joan Phelps Palladino School of Dance and as an advisor for the Dean College Pom Team.
FUN FACT: On her off hours and long drives between high schools she loves listening to true crime podcasts.
Joe Zumbo '14
Assistant Director of Admissions
Recruitment Coordinator, Theatre programs
Territory: Theatre Students; Connecticut (Fairfield, Litchfield, Middlesex, and New Haven Counties), Louisiana, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
An alumnus of Dean, Joe graduated with his B.A. in Theatre and joined the admissions team in 2014. He uses his knowledge of performing arts to assist prospective students interested in studying theatre as well as those in his territory. He also coordinates the Student Ambassador program and is very active in the Theatre community outside of Dean performing in productions throughout the year.
FUN FACTS: Joe has sung for the Pope at the Vatican and can list all of the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies in order of release. Test him if you dare!
Tracy Palana
Admissions Services Manager
Office Phone: 508-541-1508
Tracy joined the Admissions team in 2021. A New England native with over 10 years of higher education experience, Tracy is the first voice you usually hear when you call the Admissions Office or come for a visit. She enjoys meeting prospective families from around the country and likes being one of the first smiling faces that welcomes you to campus.
FUN FACT: Tracy did the Sound of Music bicycle tour in Salzburg, Austria. Students - don't know about the Sound of Music? Ask your parents or older family members about this classic movie.
Marketing, Operations, and Systems
Christy Parlon '12
Senior Associate Director of Admissions
Information Systems and CRM Manager
Christy spent four wonderful years at Dean as a student earning a degree in Dance before joining the admissions team right after graduation. While working as an admissions counselor and recruiter for the dance program she also found a talent working with technology and information systems leading to her current position.
FUN FACT: Christy and her husband were students together at Dean. They now have 4 little bulldogs of their own.
Billy Pekarski
Senior Associate Director of Enrollment Marketing
Billy joined Dean with four years of higher education enrollment experience, having worked in admissions, athletics recruitment and enrollment marketing at Anna Maria College. A Westford, Massachusetts native, he earned degrees in Sport Management and Economics from UMass Amherst and a master’s degree in Health and Wellness Management from Merrimack College. At Dean, Billy helps connect prospective students and families with the information they need throughout the college search.
FUN FACT: Billy almost hit a moose while canoeing in northern Maine. Every time he tells the story, the moose gets closer. It will be in the boat soon.
Barbara Dutko
Admissions Records Coordinator
Barb joined Dean College in 2021 after spending many years working at an area high school in the Guidance Office. She is enjoying working on the other side of the college process now. You will have Barb to thank for making sure all the materials required for your admissions application get added correctly to your record. She is also responsible for mailing out your admission decision letter!
FUN FACT: In her free time, Barb enjoys spending time in nature, especially gardening in her yard and bird watching.
Kathy Ryan 
Executive Director of Enrollment Operations
Office Phone: (508) 541-1515
Kathy joined Dean College in 2003 after a successful 20-year career in the software industry. She spends much of her time bringing data about prospective students and parents into our admissions system as well as preparing letters and publications you receive from Dean in the mail. She wishes she could see your smiling faces when you open your admission letter!
FUN FACT: Kathy has two sons who both graduated from Dean. Need parental advice about Dean – Kathy is your person!