Claire Abisalih

Though I graduated from the Academy in 2007, this is my first year working in Admissions. I could not be more thrilled to be back on my favorite campus with such an amazing team of faculty and students. Having experienced Exeter first hand as a student, I believe it is the truly diverse group of people here who make Exeter such an inspiring and life-changing place to live and learn, and I am excited to bring even more remarkable students into our community.

I grew up in Massachusetts, and after attending Exeter for four years decided to venture outside New England. My passion for journalism (which I developed here at PEA working on The Exonian) took me to the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism. My work outside the classroom at USC, mentoring local middle school students in South Central, Los Angeles, helped me realize that my true passion lay in education. After two years I left USC and took a gap year, during which I taught at an all-girls middle school in Lawrence, MA, before resuming my undergraduate education at Smith College and earning my BA in American Studies. For the past three years I have worked with Teach For America in various roles, and next year will join Teach For America as a full-time teacher. I now live in Exeter and enjoy playing winter sports, cheering on the Patriots, singing (mostly a cappella), and in true Exeter fashion: writing, reading, and great discussion.

I represent Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Delaware, Northern Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Ohio, and Western Pennsylvania. I can be reached by email at: cabisalih@exeter.edu.

Linda Daley

I joined the Exeter Admissions team in August 2010, after spending eight years at Brooks School as a math teacher, advisor, dorm head, field hockey and squash coach, and as the Director of the International Exchange Programs. Prior to my tenure in independent schools, I worked as a management consultant, managed several non-profit organizations, and served as the Director of Career Services at Harvard Business School. 

I love to travel, hike, and bike, and have led several Sierra Club trips in Wyoming and Colorado. I live in Portsmouth, NH with my husband, Mike, a math teacher, and our daughter, Ryann. 

I represent Eastern Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. I can be reached by email at: lcdaley@exeter.edu.

 

Eleanor Down

I joined the Exeter Admissions team in August 2010 where I'm delighted to be part of a team devoted to recruiting "youth from every quarter". Throughout the fall, I look forward to recruiting in 13 states predominantly in the southeast, including the Carolinas, Georgia, Kansas, Texas and Virginia.  I'm eager to share PEA's tremendous opportunities with prospective Exonians and their families. I grew up in beautiful inland Maine where, by chance, I attended an independent secondary school which changed the direction of my life. My experiences there inspired my current career path.  I earned my MA in Cultural Anthropology from Bates College which cultivated my love of people and appreciation for diverse life experiences. While at Bates, I served in the admissions office throughout my four years, most recently as a Senior Fellow. I live in Exeter and enjoy running, being outside, practicing yoga and curling up with a book. Ironically, my favorite is Owen Meany. 

I represent Georgia, Southern Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. I can be reached by email at: edown@exeter.edu.

Michael Gary

I joined the Academy in 2002, after working in two other wonderful boarding schools.  I have been in the admission profession for twenty-one years because I enjoy talking about the powerful, transformative nature of boarding school education; I am a product of it.  After graduating from boarding school, I attended Trinity College where I majored in Economics.  After working in the business world for several years in marketing and advertising, I joined the admission profession, lived in a dorm, coached basketball, and earned a masters degree from Harvard School of Education.  I am filled by the enormous amount of time I spend with my lovely wife Trina and my three kids, Milan, Tammara and Andre, all of whom keep me humble.  Traveling, camping and golfing are activities I enjoy most. 

I represent California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Eastern Pennsylvania, and all international countries. I can be reached by email at: mgary@exeter.edu.

John Hutchins

I began my career in independent schools as a teacher at Gould Academy in Bethel, Maine.  I taught mathematics, coached soccer, skiing and lacrosse, served as a dorm head and student advisor.  While at Gould I helped to implement the eighth-grade program, an optional winter term for competitive ski racers, as well as the rock climbing program.  After seven years of teaching and coaching, I joined the admissions office and was, over time, an assistant director, associate director, director of financial aid, and director of admissions and financial aid.  Prior to coming to Exeter, I spent 5 years at Mercersburg Academy in Mercersburg, PA where I was Senior Associate Director of Admissions and Financial Aid and my responsibilities included, among other things, oversight of the schools financial aid program.  At Mercersburg I got involved with the outdoor program and led a student climbing trip to the Cordillera Blanca in Peru, where I have been on three personal climbing trips.  In addition to climbing and skiing, I enjoy spending time with my wife Susan and two children, Jack and Elizabeth.

I can be reached by email at: jmhutchins@exeter.edu.

 

Nahin Jorgge

I am delighted to return to the Academy and join our wonderful admissions team. For Exeter's unwavering values, strong education, and diverse community, I enjoy representing the Academy in attracting "youth from every quarter." I graduated from Exeter in 2007 and after earning a BA from Yale University in Political Science, I entered education and have worked as a teacher, advisor, coach, and consultant. My transformative experience as a student on our welcoming campus is the main reason I love what I do. I live with the commendable young men of Wentworth Hall and advise the Salseros dance team! I enjoy traveling, discussing foreign affairs, playing soccer, studying languages, and solving puzzles. I can be reached by email at: njorgge@exeter.edu.

Si tiene alguna pregunta sobre el proceso de admisión a Exeter por favor no dude en ponerse en contacto conmigo directamente a través de correo electrónico o llamando al (603) 777-3464.

 

Hal Lynch

I began my Exeter career in September 1981 when I was hired as a teaching fellow in the Drama Department.  For the next twenty years I taught classes in acting, directing, filmmaking, playwriting, and speechmaking along with directing over twenty main stage productions in Fisher Theater.  After serving as a dormitory faculty member in Soule Hall for four years, I was appointed dorm head of Browning North where I lived for six years.  At various points, I also served as chair of the Attendance Committee and member of the Executive Committee and Admissions Committee.  In September 2001 I joined the Admissions Office in Bissell House where I have interviewed hundreds of students and have traveled extensively recruiting candidates in places such as Bangkok, Las Vegas, Hong Kong, Jamaica, and Singapore. 

I represent Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. I can be reached by email at: hlynch@exeter.edu.

 

Dan Morrissey

Dan Morrissey joins Exeter's Admissions Office after a five year stint as Dean of Students at Exeter. Dan, a 1988 graduate of Boston University, joined the Exeter Physical Education/Athletics Departments in 1989 as an Athletic Trainer. Morrissey ran the Summer Sports Schools before departing the Academy to become the Dean of Residential Life at Baylor School in Chattanooga, TN. Dan returned to Exeter in 2007 as the Dean of Students. An experienced educator, Dan has taught PE, Anatomy and Physiology, Humanities, Health and Leadership. A frequent speaker at national conferences such as TABS and NAIS, he recently published a handbook for advisers titled "Teaching Clarity, Purpose and Motivation."

I represent the Greater Boston Area of Massachusetts. I can be reached by email at: dmorrissey@exeter.edu.

 

Jay Tilton

Why the Admissions at Phillips Exeter? That's easy. I've discovered a place that reflects my past experiences, shares the passions I have and the values I believe in. I've always had a love for athletics and, as the son of educators, learned at an early age how important a role education and sports could play in my life. The notion of "Team" has always been important to me. And the Bissell House Team is a good one. Every day provides a new challenge. Whether it's travelling to Middle America in search of talented students or greeting prospective candidates on campus, our Admissions Team takes great pride in helping others learn how Phillips Exeter could impact their lives.

After spending half of my early education in a public high school in Berlin, NH, I moved on to spend my final two years at New Hampton School. It was there that I first experienced dormitory life with students from all over the world. I've always valued both my public and private school experiences, and I frequently lean on them when discussing the merits of attending Phillips Exeter with candidates. It was during my undergraduate days at Hobart College and, later as a graduate student at Dartmouth College, where I learned what it's like to be part of a Harkness class. It was definitely challenging at first, but once I found my voice it afforded me the confidence to handle many of the future challenges that I'm faced with now, whether interviewing students, hosting Exeter Evenings on the road and even in my passion for coaching. I have coached Men's basketball at Dartmouth College and, for the past eight years, have coached the Boys' Varsity team at Exeter. It's incredibly gratifying to see our student athletes compete at a high level while balancing their academic challenges. When I think of the passion my colleagues share for working with bright, motivated kids, and the amount we get to laugh in the process, it's easy for me to want to be a part of this team. 

I represent Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Western Massachuetts, Montana, and Wyoming. I can be reached by email at: jtilton@exeter.edu.

 

Lee Young

I have been at Exeter over half my life. Originally from Kensington, NH, I began my career at Exeter as a 10th grade day student before becoming a boarding student for my last two years when my family moved to South China, ME. After Exeter, I attended Hamilton College where I double majored in psychology and sociology and captained the field hockey, ice hockey and lacrosse teams. Knowing that I wanted to be part of a residential secondary school environment, I returned to Exeter as an Admissions Officer, girls' ice hockey coach and dorm advisor. I'm still in my first job since graduating from college in 1986. 

I never tire of meeting people from all over the world, and I feel privileged and invigorated to be a match maker for Exeter. In addition to my work in Admissions and on the ice, I have been a dorm head in both a girls' and boys' dormitory, an advisor to hundreds of students and the first athletic liaison for the Admissions Office. I reside near campus with my high school kids and Australian Shepherd. My interests include traveling with my family and staying fit, sane and balanced.

I represent Western Florida, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. I can be reached at lyoung@exeter.edu.