The Truth about College Admission The Truth About Exploring Schools - Lisa Keegan
Dec 18, 2025
Lisa Keegan, Vice Provost for Enrollment Strategy at William & Mary, shares her insights on college admissions and the importance of understanding a school's culture. She reflects on her own college choice, advising families to be open-minded. Lisa discusses strategies for assessing campus life through social media and encourages juniors to explore a diverse range of schools. She emphasizes authenticity in decision-making and the need for alignment between institutional mission and student values, urging students to think beyond selective schools.
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Open House That Changed Her Path
- Lisa Keegan describes being taken to an open house that changed her college search and led her to Elon University.
- That unplanned visit reshaped her view of the right educational environment and informed her career in enrollment.
Enrollment As A Whole Student Lifecycle
- Lisa's inaugural vice provost role bundles admission, financial aid, scholarships, and the registrar for lifecycle thinking.
- Aligning those functions helps focus on access, persistence, and graduation, not just recruitment.
Strategy Rooted In Place And Priorities
- William & Mary's strategic plan centers on data, democracy, career, and water, shaping new programs like data science and coastal studies.
- Leveraging local geography and research strengths informs distinct undergraduate pathways and institutional identity.