Meet the Admissions and Financial Aid Staff

Pam Safford, Associate Head for Enrollment and Planning

In her ninth year at CA, Pam has worked at boarding and day schools for over twenty-three years and attended boarding school herself. At CA Pam's primary responsibilities include managing the Admissions Office, overseeing the school's communications and marketing efforts, and supporting the Board of Trustees and the school in its strategic planning work. Additionally, she is a member of CA’s senior administrative team, the weekend duty team, and is an advisor to five CA students. Pam enjoys spending time with family, reading, running, practicing yoga and playing golf. She lives on campus with her husband and two standard poodles.

Minh Dinh, Wilcox Fellow

Minh Dinh graduated from Concord Academy in 2004, and returns to CA in 2008 as a Wilcox Fellow in Admissions. His responsibilities include interviewing prospective students as well as being actively involved in the enrollment process. Prior to CA, he attended the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology. He hopes to one day go to dental school. He enjoys playing the piano and composing. On occasions, he and his band would play in clubs around the New England region. During the summer, he and his family spend their time in Montreal with family and friends, rollerblading, hiking, biking, and enjoying the great outdoors.

Norma Dinnall, Associate Director of Admissions

A former ELL teacher and public school administrator, Norma enters her second year at CA. Her experiences include enrolling and advising students and parents from diverse backgrounds and developing programs and activities to promote cultural exchange. In addition to recruiting and interviewing prospective students, her responsibilities will include representing CA in the Boston area with a focus on multicultural schools and organizations. Among her interests are traveling, reading mystery stories, tennis (spectator), aerobic exercise and planning family projects. She lives in Lexington with her husband, Jamie Hoyte, and joins her daughter, Kirsten Hoyte, as a member of the CA faculty and staff.

Marion Matson, Admissions Office Coordinator

Marion has been a part of the Concord Academy Admissions Office for eight years. She has extensive experience with independent schools having worked at The Fenn School for four years prior to joining the staff at CA and having attended an independent school herself. Marion’s responsibilities include managing the work flow from the beginning of the application process right through to the final decisions. She may well be the first person you speak with on the phone should you call our office. The mother of two sons, Marion enjoys gardening, needlepoint, and reading in her free time.

John McGarry, Director of Financial Aid and Associate Director of Admissions

John begins his eleventh year at CA after working for several years at a boarding school in California. His responsibilities at CA include interviewing prospective students and overseeing the applications for and dispersions of grants and loans to all CA families receiving financial aid. In addition to his admissions and financial aid work, John is the head coach of the alpine ski team, a houseparent in Admadjaja House and is an academic advisor to four CA students. He lives on campus with his wife Suzanne and their children Tyler and Annie. When summer comes, John enjoys mountain biking and waiting for ski season to return.

Marie D. Myers, Associate Director of Admissions

This is Marie’s fifth year as a part of the CA community. Entering into her third year in the Office of Admissions, she also served for two years as associate director of college counseling. In addition to general admissions responsibilities, Marie serves as the Admissions Web site content manager and publication coordinator and as the athletic liaison for the Admissions Office. She also acts as the advisor to Umoja, CA’s African American student organization, and advises several CA students individually. Prior to her tenure at CA, Marie worked in the field of college admission in her native region of the Midwest and in Massachusetts. She lives on-campus with her husband and children and enjoys reading good books and watching “bad” television.

Lynn Orr, Admissions Assistant

Lynn is one of the new members of our admissions team. A long time resident of Concord, she is very familiar with the CA community. She studied English and Art History at Salem State College, where she spent four years working in the Admissions Office. Her responsibilities at CA are to assist with the processing of student inquiries, applications, and financial aid; she may be one of the friendly voices you encounter should you call the Office of Admission. She enjoys summer weekends on Cape Cod, reading, playing golf, and spending time with her ten nieces and nephews.

Tim Seston, Admissions Counselor

Tim is in his ninth year at Concord Academy but his first year as an admissions counselor. In 2000 he moved on-campus with his wife, Sally Zimmerli (history), and taught math and science at a nearby school. After the birth of their son Charlie in 2005, Tim spent his full days at CA as a stay-at-home dad and joined the Athletics Department coaching girls' soccer. In 2006 he joined the Math Department as a part time teacher. His primary responsibility in the Admissions Office is interviewing prospective students. Wearing many hats is what makes Tim tick. He enjoys the variety of his many jobs and the support that the CA community provides for him and his family. Outside of school, Tim enjoys playing sports, singing, playing guitar, and telling stories. He performs as a professional storyteller for children aged 0-7 in Eastern Massachusetts.

Kristin Stiles-Hall, Associate Director of Admissions

Kristin has been a member of the CA admissions team since 2000, and she is now in the office part-time. She has a master’s degree in clinical social work, and prior to joining the CA admissions team she worked as a counselor with adolescents in a variety of settings. Her responsibilities include interviewing students and their families, visiting schools, organizing on-campus receptions, and supervising the student tour guide program. Kristin lives on campus with her husband who is an English teacher at CA, their two children and their dog. In addition to her admissions work, she is also an advisor and a house parent. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Kristin loves art projects, reading, biking and practicing yoga.