The University of Virginia Darden School of Business has announced that Dawna Clarke, longstanding Senior Assistant Dean of Admissions, has transitioned into a new role, one that “recognizes her extraordinary 23 years of service to Darden and her impact on generations of students and alumni.” That new role is Special Advisor to the Dean and Ambassador.
The impact of Dawna Clarke’s career is significant. Her leadership – across both UVA Darden and Dartmouth Tuck – has shaped 40 admissions cycles.
“If there was a Hall of Fame in the admissions world,” says Clear Admit Co-Founder Graham Richmond, “Dawna Clarke would be a first-ballot, unanimous selection! While I could go on and on about her incredible work at UVA, UNC, and Dartmouth, I think what stands out most to me is how wonderfully down-to-earth and approachable she has always remained. The admissions process can be very stressful for applicants, but leaders like Dawna are a ray of sunshine in the proverbial storm of the application process.”
As Senior Assistant Dean of Admissions at Darden, she has engineered the admission of over half of the alumni base, building a recruitment strategy that topped global outreach efforts, broke records for application volume, and is led by an incredible team. Clarke has led the expansion of Darden’s Executive MBA to the Washington, D.C., area, the launch of its Part-Time MBA program, and the establishment of new scholarship programs. Her career is studded with innovations that have changed Darden’s admissions process, application cycles, prospective student outreach and testing policies. Under her leadership, the school has reached new heights in the academic quality and experience of new student cohorts.
“Her strategic insight, warmth and integrity,” said Darden Dean Scott Beardsley, “have helped define the Darden experience for thousands of students. We are thrilled that she will continue contributing in her new capacity as a trusted advisor and ambassador for the School.”
As Clarke transitions into the new role of Special Advisor to the Dean and Ambassador, two step up to fill her position: Whitney Kestner and Brett Twitty, who will serve as Interim Executive Directors of Admissions and lead the school’s next recruitment cycle together.
