Matthew T. Proto, who leads Stanford University’s admissions marketing and communications efforts, has been named vice president and dean of admissions and financial aid at Colby College, President David A. Greene announced today. Proto’s appointment follows a national search conducted by Greene and a search committee of faculty, staff, and students. Proto will begin his duties at Colby June 1.

At Stanford, Proto, who is currently assistant dean of admission, oversees a marketing and communications strategy that led to the university’s largest applicant pool in history as well as the largest-ever percentage of admitted students who chose to attend. He also developed integrated marketing strategies with the university’s communications office.

“Matt will be an exceptional leader for Colby’s admissions efforts,” said Greene. “He understands that students who can most benefit from and contribute to Colby’s distinctive educational environment are geographically and socioeconomically dispersed. He has demonstrated a rare ability to develop and communicate with a fully diverse and talented pool of applicants—just the kinds of students who will thrive at Colby and go on to lead lives of impact and meaning.”

At Colby Proto will lead a staff of 25 in recruiting the most-highly qualified, diverse, and intellectually ambitious students to Colby. He will oversee all aspects of admissions, including counselor travel, application reading, alumni participation in admissions efforts, and studentathlete and international student recruiting. He will also oversee Colby’s generous financial aid program, which meets the full demonstrated need of all admitted students and does so without burdening the students and their families with institutional loans.

“Matt impressed us with his deep understanding of the complexities of recruiting and yielding the most-highly qualified students,” said Provost and Dean of Faculty Lori Kletzer. “That, along with his unwavering optimism and ability to inspire those around him, made him a wonderful choice for Colby’s next admissions dean.”

“I am very excited that Matt Proto will be joining the Colby community,” said Associate Professor of Spanish Betty Sasaki, who served on the search committee. “Matt is extremely knowledgeable, creative, and dynamic, and he will bring new vision and vitality to our efforts to enhance and diversify Colby’s student body.”

Proto began his career in admissions at Yale, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in history and was an All-Ivy football player. He worked in college counseling at Choate Rosemary Hall and ran the scholar selection process at the Morehead-Cain Scholars Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill prior to moving to Stanford. He earned a master’s degree from Wesleyan and a doctorate in education from UNC Chapel Hill.

“It is an honor to be selected as the next vice president and dean of admissions and financial aid at Colby College,” said Proto. “The opportunity to work with President Greene and lead the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid is extraordinary. I look forward to working with staff and collaborating with members of the community to bring to Colby the students who will most benefit from the remarkable educational experience the College provides.”

About Colby College   

Founded in 1813, Colby is one of America’s most selective colleges. Serving only undergraduates, Colby’s rigorous academic program is rooted in deep exploration of ideas and close interaction with world-class faculty scholars. Students pursue intellectual passions, choosing among 56 majors or developing their own. Independent and collaborative research, study abroad, and internships offer robust opportunities to prepare students for postgraduate success. Colby is home to a community of 1,825 dedicated and diverse students from around the globe. Its Waterville, Maine, location provides access to world-class research institutions and civic engagement experiences.