February 21, 2024

Adriana Matzke has been hired as Columbus Academy’s new director of enrollment management, Head of School Melissa Soderberg announced today. Adriana will begin her role at our school in June and will oversee student recruitment, tuition assistance and reenrollment efforts.

“We are so excited to have Adriana join us,” states Melissa. “She brings to Columbus Academy a wealth of experience in a high-powered admissions office and the sensitivity to draw all kinds of students to our school.”

Adriana spent nearly 20 years at The Blake School in Minneapolis serving in a progression of roles culminating in the associate director of admissions position, where she led and managed the middle and upper school admissions process. She has also been the director of K-12 outreach and engagement at World Savvy, a national nonprofit that is a leading provider of global competence education.

“I’m beyond thrilled to be joining Columbus Academy as the director of enrollment management,” Adriana says. “While visiting Academy’s campus, the strong academic experience that is woven throughout was evident, but it is the warmth of your community from students, parents and employees that excites me the most.”

The director of enrollment management position was created in the wake of John Wuorinen ’80, our present director of admissions and tuition assistance, returning to teach math full-time in the Upper School. After thoroughly enjoying a recent stint as a long-term substitute for one of our math courses, he is looking forward to a full-time return to the classroom after serving our admissions office admirably for the last 16 years.

The search for John’s replacement, an in-depth interview process that involved many faculty and staff members from a variety of areas around the school, was led by the Baker Group (a widely regarded search firm specializing in enrollment positions for independent schools) and coordinated by Pedro Mena in his new role as director of hiring and student outreach. A stellar applicant pool came from schools and colleges all across the country.

“Adriana’s genuine presence and deep connection to her Latin American heritage, coupled with her passion for lifelong learning – as well as her love for the outdoors and youth sports – will undoubtedly leave a significant impact on our campus and throughout greater Columbus,” adds Pedro. “We warmly welcome her as a valuable addition to our school, especially as we position ourselves within the remarkable growth and expanding global presence of our city and region.”