Dear AARs,
As we reflect on the past year, we are filled with immense gratitude for your time, energy, and passion for Carleton. Your connections with prospective students have made a significant impact in shaping the Class of 2028. Thank you for your thoughtful conversations and genuine enthusiasm that helped students envision themselves as part of the Carleton community. Your willingness to share your experiences and insights provided immeasurable guidance to those hoping to join the next generation of Carls.
Thank you for your contributions to the AAR program. We couldn’t do it without you.
WARMLY,
SALLY DAVIS ELLWEIN ’94 BOARD CO-CHAIR
Dear AARs,
We’ve all heard the saying, “You are a part of Carleton and Carleton is a part of you.” The volunteer hours you dedicate to the AAR program bring this famous saying to life as you share your lived Carleton experiences with the bold, daring, anxious, curious, and optimistic prospective and admitted students. In turn, they will carve out their own place in Carleton’s history, build on timeless traditions, and continue to shape Carleton into what it needs to be to remain that special place that connects us all.
Your commitment to the AAR program supports Carleton’s efforts to meet its admissions needs in these dynamic times, ensuring that the college can continue to fulfill its mission of providing an exceptional undergraduate liberal arts education. The AAR Board is grateful beyond words for your time and support. Thank you for your continued enthusiasm and dedication!
WITH GRATITUDE, ROSS A. CHÁVEZ ’01 BOARD CO-CHAIR
Phyllis Dixon pdixon@carleton.edu
Chris Leppink-Shands ’19 cleppink@carleton.edu
Adam Webster ’00
aswebster@carleton.edu
THE AAR FRONT OFFICE
THANKS TO OUR AAR BOARD
Over my three years working with the AAR board I have had the pleasure of working with many amazing members. They have taught me valuable lessons and have spurred interesting and productive discussions every step of the way. Included in this group are Erika Drezner ’94, Steve Maack ’90, and Susan Pham ’12. Each of these members cycled off the board this year. Their presence has been missed but their legacy is not forgotten. I am confident that the current board will continue to reach its vision of what this program can be. Thank you, Erika, Steve, and Susie, for all of your hard work and leadership.
With departures also come the welcome of new board members. Everyone, please join me in welcoming Raba Tefera ’21, Dana Mackey ’12, and Dick Trent ’88 to the AAR board. Each of these new members has spent the last year diving fully into the team and is already making incredible contributions to the future of the AAR program. I am so excited to see what we can all make together!
2023–2024 AAR Board
Nosipho Beaufort ’01 nosiphobeaufort@gmail.com
Kevin Bui ’24 buik@carleton.edu
Ross Chavez ’01 rchavez4492@gmail.com co-chair
Clay Kingsbury ’20 kingsburyclay@gmail.com
Dana Mackey ’12 danabmackey@gmail.com
Ella Peoples ’25 peoplese@carleton.edu
Dick Trent ’88 dtrent31@gmail.com
Taylor Valore ’06 taylor@taylorvalore.com
Emily Wallace-Jackson ’87 ewallace-jackson@comcast.net
CHRIS LEPPINK-SHANDS ’19
ASSISTANT DEAN OF ADMISSIONS FOR THE AAR PROGRAM
Sally Davis Ellwein ’94 sally.ellwein@gmail.com co-chair
Chase Garcia ’19 chaseagarcia254@gmail.com
Jevon Robinson ’22 robinsonj2@carleton.edu
Raba Tefera ’21 raba.tefera@gmail.com
Monica Welke ’10 monicawelke@gmail.com
Mission
The Alumni Admissions Representative (AAR) Program partners enthusiastic alumni with the admissions office, to share our Carleton stories, to elevate the college’s national reputation, and to attract and recruit an applicant pool that enhances the character of Carleton in the quality, depth, and diversity of its student body.
Practice
We promote alumni connections, to the college and each other, via individual and collective engagement with prospective students and their families. In addition to communicating our personal knowledge of Carleton to prospective students, we also provide students with resources that highlight experiences they may have or are seeking, even if different from our own. In this way, AARs help prospective students understand how Carleton, one of the very best liberal arts colleges in the country, fits into their plan for achieving their life and career goals.
In April, we welcomed over 636 students and their families to campus for Carl Days. All of your hard work made this possible, so thank you! ➜
INCOMING CLASS AT A GLANCE
26 college fairs
22,664 contacts made (postcards, emails, text, and phone)
296 students interviewed
420 student connections from college fairs
1,141 admitted students contacted
1,447 active AARs
7,869 applications | 18.5% admit rate
45 states and 24 countries represented
12% international
12% first generation
31 National Merit Scholars
10 National Hispanic Scholars
