Her Story
About Maria
My career path has evolved recently, building on nearly a decade of experience in higher education, with a focus on admissions and enrollment management. I have worked across both university settings and smaller institutions, gaining a well-rounded perspective on recruitment and student engagement.
In my role as Director of Admissions at the Kentucky College of Art + Design, I established the institution’s first formal admissions department and successfully recruited and developed a team of admissions professionals. During my four-year tenure, I led initiatives that increased enrollment and played a key role in the institution achieving regional accreditation through SACSCOC. This rigorous two-year process involved extensive review, evaluation, and interviews conducted by the accrediting committee. We were required to meet 72 distinct standards and provide comprehensive supporting evidence, and I am proud to have contributed to the institution successfully meeting all standards.
Most recently, I transitioned to Leadership Louisville, an organization dedicated to leadership development and professional growth for individuals and organizations at all stages of their leadership journey. In my current role, I primarily support our six signature leadership programs. I work closely with prospective participants to align their leadership goals with our offerings, guide them through the application process, and provide insight into the learning experience. Our mission is to equip leaders with the skills and perspective needed to lead more effectively and create meaningful impact.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Maria
01What do you attribute your success to?
I really credit my success to the community around me. I’ve been lucky to have supportive family and friends across so many different spaces who’ve encouraged me to keep going and bring positivity into everything I do. What really motivates me is knowing I’m making a difference in people’s lives. That’s what I love most about mentorship, you get to see someone’s journey from the very beginning, when they’re just getting to know you, all the way to achieving their goals. Being part of that growth is incredibly rewarding.
I also love the ripple effect of when someone recognizes your efforts and it inspires you to do the same for others. It creates this ongoing cycle of support, encouragement, and lifting people up, which is something I’m really passionate about.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
If you're unhappy in your current role but you care about the overall mission of an organization, rather than leaving, work your way up and change things.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say don't be afraid to admit that you don't know something. Sometimes the strongest connections with people can start with just one conversation, one question, one ask. And you never know where that can lead. Authenticity is very powerful thing.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
In the higher education space, enrollment has been a little bit difficult because of what's going on in the economy currently. A lot more people are opting not to go to college, or not finish their degrees, or just not pursue it as a whole. So that's been a challenge. There has been a really big emphasis on training people and teaching people the importance of what higher education really does for people. It's not just letting people know you exist, it's also teaching people what it can actually do for them. I think that's something that could help others in the field.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
If I had to name a core value, it would be leadership, not just in the traditional sense, but in how we show up for others. To me, that means investing in people, sharing what you’ve learned, and also being open to listening and growing from others’ experiences. What really matters to me is helping people see potential in themselves that they might not have recognized before. There’s something incredibly powerful about supporting someone as they build confidence and step into their own path. That’s what mentorship is all about. At the end of the day, I think it comes down to being the best version of yourself so you can positively impact the communities and people around you.
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