5 Questions with Undergraduate Admissions’ Michael McKeon

Michael McKeon, Director of Undergraduate Admissions. (Photo by Scott Freedman).

ALBANY, N.Y. (Feb. 25, 2020) — Michael McKeon began as the director of undergraduate admissions in July. He brings to UAlbany four decades of experience, having led admissions' efforts at universities all over the country.

What’s new in Undergraduate Admissions?

A lot is happening in Undergraduate Admissions that we’re excited about. We have greatly increased our collaboration for outreach and yield efforts with the deans and faculty across all colleges and schools at UAlbany. We’ve also launched a Capital District Leadership Award program to attract and reward academically high achieving students who are respected as leaders in the 10 counties of the greater N.Y. Capital Region.

Last but certainly not least, there has been an enhancement in our collaboration with UAlbany’s University in the High School Program. We expect that these initiatives will help us to recruit the next generations of outstanding Great Danes.

What do you see as the biggest challenge confronting Undergraduate Admissions, and how are you tackling that challenge?

There has been a steady decline in the number of high school graduates nationwide and, among those who are graduating, there is an increasing percentage of students from underserved schools and economically disadvantaged families. Put simply, there is a smaller number of students than in years past who are currently prepared for the rigor of a UAlbany education or who can afford one. For those who are prepared to meet our academic expectations, the cost of attendance has increasingly become an insurmountable barrier — a challenge facing students at universities nationwide.

We are tackling these challenges by identifying and zeroing in on the regions from where we’ve historically seen a lot of students attend UAlbany, and by employing specific targeted outreach to groups of students with shared challenges. We’re also empowering members of the admissions team to serve as “territory managers” to shepherd students through the inquiry, application and acceptance/enrollment process.

In your 40 years of experience leading college admissions teams, are there any techniques or programs you’ve used in the past that you feel are applicable to UAlbany?

Yes! One is the individual counselor territory management I mentioned in my previous response. Additionally, niche marketing and cross disciplinary/academically collaborative program development has been very successful in my previous roles. I look forward to seeing similar success with these initiatives at UAlbany.

What’s one thing students might be surprised to know about you?

I am a passionate gardener obsessed with native plants and Japanese maples, ferns and varieties of hostas. Also, my area of academic focus (both graduate and undergraduate) is African American history.

What’s your favorite spot on campus, and why?

The fountain area between the Science Library and the Campus Center. It is aesthetically lovely and I particularly enjoy the gardening. Facilities does amazing work to make UAlbany a sylvan and park-like setting.

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