Anthony Dean
Senior Assistant Director of Admissions
Kenyon College (OH)
What drew you to the world of college admission counseling?
I was drawn to admissions work because it allows me to meet new people and use my love of storytelling to help students discover where the next step in their education can take them.
What is your favorite part of the job?
My favorite part of the job is building relationships with students and families — from the college fairs to the phone calls. Whether it’s meeting a student at a high school visit, reconnecting during the application process, or seeing them arrive on campus as a first-year student, it’s such a privilege to play a small role in helping them find a place where they can call home. I also enjoy the travel and opportunities to learn about different communities and schools.
How has NACAC played a role in your career?
NACAC has been an important source of professional development and community throughout my career. The association has provided opportunities to connect with colleagues across the country, share ideas, and learn from friends in every corner of our work together.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing our profession today?
I think one of the biggest challenges facing our profession is helping students make a life-changing decision at a time when the landscape of higher education feels wildly uncertain. Families are weighing important questions about cost and outcomes while also navigating a political environment that often places higher education at the center of larger debates. At times, it can feel like we are working against the currents. That’s why I find the personal connections made out on the road or in my inbox that much more important as I work to guide families through the uncertainty as best I can.
When you aren’t working, what do you like to do?
When I’m not working, as an unashamed aviation geek I love learning more about the aviation industry. Information about aircrafts, industry policies, and aviation history are constantly open tabs on my computer. It was this work in admissions that inspired my love for aviation. I also love reading and keeping up with my Latin as a former classics major. But when I need a break, my dog (Ellie) and I love to go for walks.
If you could be any fictional character, who would it be and why?
If I could be a fictional character, I would be Danny Phantom. It was my favorite show on Nickelodeon growing up! He’s half-human, half-ghost but still lives a normal life with his friends and family as he fights all the ghosts that were coming through. As a kid it made me realize that I didn’t have to be just one thing in my life and that surrounding myself with the right people who encourage and support me is the key.
Published June 29, 2026