Mandy Castro has been named dean of undergraduate admission following a nationwide
search. Castro joined TCU in 2017 and has been an integral part of enrollment gains
as she led first-year and transfer student recruitment and admission as director of
admission.
As dean of undergraduate admission, Castro will build upon her record of success with a deep commitment to everything TCU has to offer. She will lead all aspects of undergraduate recruitment, admission and yield for TCU, articulating TCU’s vision to a variety of students and families; engaging in partnerships across campus; and relying on a deep understanding of the role that data and technology play in the world of competitive recruitment and selection. She will report to Heath Einstein, vice provost for enrollment management.
“With a shifting enrollment landscape, Mandy emerged as the perfect candidate to lead our admission goals due to her expertise in large-scale recruitment,” Einstein said. “Her industry-leading approach to recruiting a large and diverse pool of potential students is precisely what TCU needs as we move into our next strategic plan.”
The demand for a TCU education grows stronger each year. In fall 2023, TCU welcomed 2,488 first-year students, one of their largest and most academically qualified classes in school history. Undergraduate transfer enrollment grew by 10.5 percent, and first-year retention hit a record 94.3 percent. The student body has increased to 10,915 undergraduate students. The university's ability to attract the most qualified and diverse student body while meeting revenue goals has fueled TCU’s upward trajectory.
“Longstanding tradition, academic excellence and a personalized college experience have set TCU apart from other schools,” Castro said. “I love working with the talented admission team to shape the Horned Frog student body. I believe we are perfectly positioned to continue to tell this great story. I look forward to expanding my work with faculty and campus partners to align our enrollment goals with the pillars of the new strategic plan.”
As director of undergraduate admission since 2017, Castro was responsible for domestic first-year and transfer recruitment and admission. She managed a team of more than 20 and introduced data-informed territory management. She planned and implemented recruitment events, marketed TCU to high school seniors and parents, implemented 90-day work plans for strategic planning, oversaw student search, and created a targeted strategy that overlaid marketing and travel to reduce spending.
Prior to TCU, Castro served the University of Oklahoma as director of prospective student services in Northeast Oklahoma, and then her role expanded to direct recruitment for the entire state. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and Spanish and a master’s in organizational dynamics, all from the University of Oklahoma. She has presented at several forums on admissions and serves as a College Board Fellow.
She will begin her role as dean of undergraduate admission on Aug. 1, 2024.