Meet Our Team
At Merrimack, we’re devoted to going the extra mile for you. And we understand that the college search process comes with a lot of information. Let us help you!
- Your admission counselor is your go-to person for your college search. Look for your counselor below; their territories are listed by state. Or fill out this form and we’ll send you an email introducing you!
- Looking to chat with your counselor? Find yours below and set up a time to connect.
- Meet our student ambassadors and even chat live with them through our bot!
- Explore our on campus and virtual visit options, including daily tours, information sessions, counselor meetings and self guided tour options.
- See if we’ll be at your school. We have hundreds of visits planned!
If you have an immediate question, call our main office number at
978-837-5100 or email us at admission@merrimack.edu.
Darren Conine
Vice President for Enrollment & Dean of Admission
Tricia Williamson Pineda
Associate Vice President for Program Development & Retention
Kristina Bakas
Director of Admission for Visitor Services & Events
Jim Cristiano
Director of Admission for Transfer Students
Jessica Dumais
Director of Admission for First Year RecruitmentTerritories:- Vermont
Christine Carroll
Associate Director of AdmissionTerritories:- CA (Northern)
- Additional States: AK, CO, ID, MN, ND, NE, OR, SD, WA, WY
Rachael Tampone
Associate Director of Admission & International RecruitmentTerritories:- Colorado
- Florida
- Pennsylvania
- International Territories: Australia, Caribbean, East Asia, South America, South Asia, South East Asia
Andrew deMelo
Senior Assistant Director of AdmissionTerritories:- NJ (Northern)
- Pennsylvania
Dauri Torres
Senior Assistant Director of AdmissionTerritories:- MA (Essex County*)
- CT (Hartford, Middlsex, New Haven, New London, Tolland, Windham Counties)
- Additional States: AR, LA, MS, OK, TX
- International Territories: Africa, Central Asia, Middle East, Pakistan
* Essex County is covered by two counselors please reach out to admission@merrimack.edu to confirm your counselor.
Ashley Willis
Senior Assistant Director of AdmissionTerritories:- MA (Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, & Southern Worcester counties)
- Additional States: D.C., KY, MD, OH, VA, WV
James Alberto
Senior Admission CounselorTerritories:- MA (Suffolk County)
- NJ (Southern)
- Additional States: DE, GA, KS, MO, SC, TN
Sara Bird
Assistant Director of Admission for Visitor Services & Events
Katie Brown
Senior Admission CounselorTerritories:- MA (Fitchburg and North Worcester County)
- Maine
- Rhode Island
Brittany Dempsey
Admission Counselor for Visitor Services
Jasmine Garver
Assistant Director of AdmissionTerritories:- MA (Barnstable, Duke, Nantucket, Plymouth counties)
- NY (Capital Region)
- Alabama
Taylor Hart
Senior Admission CounselorTerritories:- MA (Essex County*)
- New Hampshire
- New York (Western)
- Additional States: IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, WI
* Essex County is covered by two counselors please reach out to admission@merrimack.edu to confirm your counselor.
Patrick Lahey
Senior Admission CounselorTerritories:- MA (Bristol, Norfolk counties)
- NY (Long Island, Rockland, & Westchester)
Joshua Rizzo
Senior Admission Counselor for Transfer Admission
Jacob Schwartz
Senior Admission CounselorTerritories:- MA (Middlesex County)
- CT (Litchfield & Fairfield County)
- CA (Southern)
- International Territories: Canada, Central America, Europe, Mexico
Francisco Zapata-Reyes
Senior Admission CounselorTerritories:- MA (Milton, Lexington & Waltham)
- NY (NYC)
- Puerto Rico
Gwendolyn Orford
Coordinator of Visitor Services
Gabriella Cuddy
Freshman Admission Associate
Cristina Daniels
Admission Coach
Tyler Furnari
Admission Coach
Jacqueline Garvey
Freshman Admission Associate
Josh TenHaken-Riedel
Admission Coach
Thalia Garcia-Aguilar
Admission Coach
Zhane McClyde
Admission Coach
Maggie Silvestri ’23
Visitor Services Intern
Alyssa Zahoruiko
Senior Admission Counselor for Visitor Services and Ambassador Program
