Exciting times in the CA Admissions Office! Our office will be transitioning at the end of this school year, with my upcoming retirement and Heather Clarkson assuming the position of Director of Admissions and Financial Aid. While the leadership of the department will change, the remaining admission team members will continue in their current roles.
Sharice Chandler, Associate Director of Admissions, has been a member of the CA Admissions Team for four years. She began her career in admissions at her alma mater Guilford College. After a two-year stint in college admissions, Sharice was hired to join the CA admissions team. Not only did Sharice offer college level admissions experience but she is also an alum of Cary Academy! She joined the CA community in 7th grade when her family moved to Cary from the DC area and graduated class of 2005. Sharice oversees the admissions Student Ambassador program, the Student of Color Recruitment program, and serves on the Financial Aid Committee.
Sequenta Blackman, Admissions Coordinator, joined the CA Admissions Team three years ago. Sequenta also has first-hand experience with independent school life as she is an alum of Saint Mary’s School in Raleigh. She attended Garner-Webb University where she was a star player with the basketball team. She shares her basketball and coaching expertise with CA by serving as Varsity Girls Head Basketball Coach. Sequenta oversees the admissions Tour and Information Sessions program, serves as the admissions liaison with the PTAA New Parent Programs Committee, and is the admissions’ Veracross Systems Administrator.
Marlene Sanchez, Admissions Assistant, joined the CA Admissions Team two years ago. Marlene is originally from Peru and moved to the Triangle area from California. She graduated from University of Phoenix with a Business Management degree and previously worked in the corporate world in supply chain and logistics. Her native Spanish speaking skills have proved to be a wonderful asset to CA with the increased number of applications from Hispanic/Latino families. Marlene oversees the admissions Inquiry Program, coordinates the Parent Ambassador Tour program, and manages the applicant and database systems.
It has been a wonderful experience at Cary Academy watching the school’s mission come to fruition as enrollment grew, the academic program flourished, and CA became one of the most reputable schools in the country. While much has been accomplished, there is still much to do. The CA Admissions Team is eager to continue their work and is looking forward to Heather’s leadership in helping the school to move forward. While I will miss Cary Academy, I am anticipating travel, gardening, reading, and all the joys that retirement brings 😊.
