教育顾问   Consultant 

Educational Background 教育背景

C.A.S., Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

Ed.M., Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

B.A., cum laude, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

Working Experience  工作经历

Northwestern University in Qatar, Doha, Qatar

Director of Admission (August 2013 – June 2016): Develop and implement innovative strategic enrollment plans for Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q). Lead an empowered team to foster collaboration and enthusiasm for recruitment and other facets of admissions. Represent the department and NU-Q to key internal and external constituents. Develop, in consultation with marketing and communication professionals, admissions publications, web presence, and other outreach materials. Manage the day-to-day operations and budget. Implemented new CRM system (Slate) to improve efficiency and management of the application review process. Following data analysis, revamped the approach and underlying philosophy of application review of students to NU-Q. Establish and cultivate relationships with key Qatari constituencies that have resulted in a rise in applications and enrollment of Qatari nationals, which is a principal goal of the institution.

Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, New York, NY

Director of Admission and Financial Aid (November 2007 – July 2013): Developed, lead and managed the marketing, communication and recruitment strategies to increase the visibility of academic programs offered by the Graduate School of Journalism.   Directed staff of five in the day-to-day management and operations of the office as well as the administration of a $750,000 budget. Implemented and shepherded, for use by 30-plus faculty and staff, a database for processing, reading, and evaluating applications to the School. Chaired the application review committees for the Master of Science and Master of Science in Computer Science and Journalism programs. Worked in partnership with the Associate Director of Admission and Financial Aid to develop financial aid and scholarship packages and policies to enhance recruitment efforts.

Tufts University, Medford, MA

Director, International and Transfer Admission (June 2004 – August 2006): Worked directly with the Dean of Admission and Enrollment Management to develop and execute an enrollment management and communications plan based on admissions modeling to assist in marketing strategies and application review. Provided leadership for the planning and implementation of recruitment and review strategies, and management of financial aid for international and transfer students. Lead and directed a team of four admissions officers in the recruitment, review, and selection of students for Alaska, California (Silicon Valley), Connecticut (New Haven/New London), Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts (Boston, Central and Western), Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York (Upstate), Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Washington. Administered an alumni admissions program with over 700 national and international volunteers.

Senior Associate Director of Admission (August 1997- June 2004): Member of the senior management team with the primary tasks of directing and supervising a three-member staff, recruitment activities, and application review of 4,500-plus applicants for the Midwest, New York State - except New York City - Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Western/Central Massachusetts, Europe, and Canada.  Managed and coordinated strategies for the recruitment and admission of international students.  Served as the primary admissions liaison with the athletic department and coordinated admissions procedures with coaches and the Director of Athletics.  Managed an alumni admissions program with over 500 national and international volunteers.

Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME

Assistant Dean of Admission (June 1987 - June 1992): Directed and coordinated the student of color recruitment efforts for the college.  Responsibilities included directing staff members to formulate strategies for student of color recruitment and overseeing the management and implementation of the budget for student of color recruitment programs.  Performed general admissions duties including the review of 1300 applications and conducted in excess 400 interviews; managed the communications with guidance counselors, parents, prospective students, and alumni for the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.  Managed the hiring and training of 12 to 15 students to interview prospective students, supervised a student admissions volunteer organization, and assisted with recruitment travel planning.

University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

Assistant Director of Admission (June 1983 - June 1987):  A member of the admissions staff with the primary responsibility to recruit students of color.  Evaluated and maintained admissions standards for applicants to the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Business Administration; coordinated the review of independent schools in the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and the South.

Edvice Ltd, London, England

Director (August 2006 – October 2007):  Key member of small consultancy company committed to assisting families in the United Kingdom and Europe unfamiliar with U.S. higher education and university admissions processes.  Helped students identify universities and colleges that matched his or her academic profile and career objectives.  Provided guidance and coaching for students developing applications for university admission.

 Panel presentations on international admissions, recruitment, and technology:

OACAC (July 2014, July 2004); UNITY Conference (July 2012); National Association of Black Journalists (July 2013, July 2012, August 2011); National Association of Hispanic Journalists (June 2012); HBCU Media Conference (February 2011); CIS pre-Conference (November 2006); OACAC (June 2006), ECIS Conference (November 2005); CIS pre-Conference (November 2004); CIS pre-Conference (November 2003)

Panel Presentation:

The Missing Link: The Black Admissions Professional, National Association of Admission Counseling, 55th National Conference, Orlando, FL (September 1999) 

Refereed Panel:

Issues of Black Female Relationship and Authority, National Scientific Meeting of A.K. Rice, Tavistock, Washington, DC (May 2001)

Chair, Education City/Qatar Foundation Directors of Admissions, (2014 - 2016)

Faculty, Summer Institute for International Counselors at NYU Abu Dhabi, (February 2016)

Co-Chair, New England Association for College Admissions Counseling Summer Workshop,Quinnipiac University (August 2002)

Member, Jack Kent Cook Scholarship Selection Committee (June 2002 - 2005)

Faculty/Mentor, New England Association for College Admission Counseling Summer Workshop, Springfield College (August 2001)

Member, Madison Park Development Corporation Scholarship Committee (April 2000 - 2006)

Member, Presidential Scholars Review Committee (March 1999 - 2012)

Team member, Conference Planning, Tavistock Group Relations Conference: Authority, Leadership and Organizational Life, Teacher’s College, Columbia University (June 2000, February 1999, March 1998) Diversity, Authority and Leadership in the Community and Organizational Life from a Social Systems Perspective, Washington, DC (May 1998 and 1999); Authority, Leadership and Power in Organizational Life, Harvard Graduate School of Education, John F. Kennedy School of Government and Weston Jesuit School of Theology, Cambridge, MA (March 1997); Authority in Religious Institutions, Washington, DC (February 1997); Exploring Authority and Exercising Leadership in Today’s Church, Washington, DC (February 1996); Group Dynamics, Leadership and the Politics of Identity, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (March 1996, 1995); Authority, Leadership and Organizational Change, Harvard Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, MA (February 1996); Authority, Community and Organizational Change, Harvard Graduate School of Education and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA (April 1995)

Member, Governing Boards Subcommittee on Minority Affairs, Bowdoin College (June 1989 -June 1992)

Teaching Fellow, Harvard University Graduate School of Education and the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Cambridge, MA (September 1994 - May 1997):

Dr. Linda C. Powell, Community and Diversity, Advanced Study of Group Processes, Authority, Community and Organizational Change, and Authority, Leadership and Urban Schools.

Dr. Ronald Heifetz, Exercising Leadership: Mobilizing Group Resources

Dr. Ronald David, Group Dynamics, Leadership, and the Politics of Identity

Dr. Charles V. Willie, Contributions of Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Dr. Richard Chait, Academic Administration

Teaching Staff for Exercising Leadership: Mobilizing Group Resources, John F. Kennedy   School of Government of Harvard University (September 1996 - January 1997)

Principal Center, Institute on Leadership, Harvard Graduate School of Education (November 1995, April 1996) 

College Access Program of the Philadelphia Education Fund (September 1995)

Harvard Institute for School Leadership, Programs in Professional Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education (July 1995)

Violence Prevention in Urban Schools, Programs in Professional Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education (July 1995)

Leon Braswell has more than two decades in undergraduate and graduate admissions working in a number of highly selective institutions with the last 10 -plus years in senior leadership admissions roles. He began his career at the University of Vermont followed by Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME.  After completing graduate studies in Administration, Planning and Social Policy at Harvard University, he served as Director of International and Transfer Admissions at Tufts University where he worked closely with the International Board of Overseers and the International Center.  After Tufts he spent a short time as a college counseling consultant for Edvice, Inc. in London, England. Heading back to the admissions world, he served as Director of Admissions and Financial at the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism the premier school of its kind in the US.  After Columbia, another overseas opportunity arose where he became Director of Admissions at Northwestern University in Qatar.

He takes take great pride in assisting students in launching their successful college careers. His varied career experiences have given Mr. Braswell many significant opportunities to lead, manage, and execute strategic planning in admissions and enrollment management.  He has a depth and breadth of knowledge that helps families navigate the complexities of the admissions and selection process.