NAU-Yuma hires admissions leader from well-known Boston school

A new admissions leader at Northern Arizona University-Yuma comes here from Boston, where she worked for a prestigious school of music that boasts alumni ranging from Branford Marsalis and Bruce Hornsby to Quincy Jones and Melissa Etheridge.

Eileen Knight was hired as NAU-Yuma's associate director for admissions. Knight's duties will include going out and meeting with students and counselors from local high schools, plus students from Arizona Western College and Imperial Valley College.

She will also be responsible for meeting with prospective students and their parents, plus take part in career fairs and speak locally to business and civic groups about admissions and retention trends in higher education.

"I'm really excited to be able to go out in the community and develop relationships with high school guidance counselors," Knight said, "and ultimately begin to develop relationships with students interested in continuing their education here in Yuma."

Knight comes to Yuma from Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she served in a variety of positions over eight years. She worked most recently as the associate director of operations in the school's office of admissions. Local graduates of Berklee include jazz musician Pete Pancrazi, pianist Michael Rezso Zahorak IV and television-film composer Tim Jones.

Knight's experience with admissions work also includes time with Massachusetts Communications College, where she worked as assistant dean of admissions for several years.

"I'm excited to be here, working with such caring and dedicated groups, both at Arizona Western College and NAU-Yuma," she said.

Knight quipped that she posed for pictures with a "3:10 to Yuma" sign before leaving Boston. She arrived in Yuma on Aug. 8.

"That, of course, was the opening of the Olympics, so it was a lucky day for the Chinese and me!"

Knight shared that since arriving she has found a church, joined a Toastmasters Club, attended a library dedication, enjoyed four Scorpions games and has gone swimming in the Colorado River.

"I have a lot of energy and I'm from a small town ... so I really appreciate the community involvement here. I'm just embracing it and I've been welcomed so graciously and people have just been so friendly. I'm very excited about being in part of a community that really works together."

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Darin Fenger can be reached at
dfenger@yumasun.com or 539-6860.