Longtime Mason employee named dean of admissions

Amy Takayama-Perez will be Mason's Dean of Admissions (Photo courtesy of Devin Burnette)

After a six month long search process, Provost Peter Stearns hired George Mason University Associate Dean of Admissions Amy Takayama-Perez, to serve as the new dean of admissions. The announcement was made on Dec. 5.

“[The search process] entailed a very capable and conscientious search committee, several rounds of Skype-type interviews, and on-campus interviews,” wrote Wayne Sigler, the Vice President for Enrollment Management, in an email.

Takayama-Perez, a Mason graduate, was serving as the interim associate dean of admissions. She replaced Andrew Flagel who worked in the position for about ten year, and took a position at Brandeis University in 2011.

“The dean of admissions is responsible for undergraduate enrollment for the university, including freshmen, transfer, and international,” Takayama-Perez said. “[I will be] really working with Wayne Sigler… and our leadership team to implement and direct a strategic plan for recruitment, marketing and enrollment of students."

Takayama-Perez has held a number of positions at Mason for 16 years. She has worked in the Office of Admissions as a recruiter and a counselor, the assistant then associate director of admissions, the director of recruitment, the assistant dean and executive director of K-12 Programs and Outreach. She also worked as the director of Mason’s Washington Scholars Program, a program that involves summer leadership conferences for journalism and environmentalism.

“Amy is very well-prepared to assume the Dean of Admissions position and I am confident that she will be very successful in serving Mason in this important role,” Sigler wrote in a statement.

Her only break from working for Mason was in 2006 when she worked for Loudon County Public Schools until 2007. There she worked as a guidance specialist and directed a program to help first generation students have better access to college.

After working for Mason since her sophomore year as a student, Takayama-Perez hopes to give back to the university.

"I feel the need to serve the institution that gave me so much,” Takayama-Perez said. “I have watched and been a part of the tremendous growth we have had, and I believe there are still so many more students yet to hear Mason's story. We have an amazing office; I am excited to be a part of the new leadership that I think will take Mason to the next level."

Takayama-Perez started her position on Dec. 10.