Meet John Saparilas and Shawna Lynch-Watkins in Graduate Admissions

Meredith College is excited to announce two new staff additions in the Office of Graduate Admissions: the director of graduate admissions and the senior associate director of graduate admissions and lifelong learning. 

Meet John Saparilas – Director of Graduate Admissions  

John Saparilas brings over 25 years of experience in admissions and enrollment management, mostly recently as the associate vice president of enrollment services at Wake Technical Community College.

At Wake Tech, Saparilas developed a strategic enrollment management plan as well as led the integration of technology solutions to increase enrollment. 

As Meredith’s director of graduate admissions, Saparilas oversees recruitment efforts for 12 graduate and post-baccalaureate certificate programs. He collaborates with staff from each of these programs, as well as several campus offices, including admissions, financial aid, and marketing, to create comprehensive enrollment plans. 

“The aim is to implement personalized communication flows with applicants through the entire admissions process and leverage technology to improve our efficiency,” said Saparilas about graduate admissions goals at Meredith.

A lifelong resident of Raleigh, Saparilas has always admired Meredith’s strong academic reputation and personalized approach to education. “The faculty, staff, and administration here are deeply committed to enhancing the overall student experience and ensuring each student’s success,” he said. “I look forward to further developing the graduate programs and expanding their reach.”

Meet Shawna Lynch-Watkins – Senior Associate Director of Graduate Admissions and Lifelong Learning

Joining Meredith from the University of Oklahoma, where she served as the director of strategic initiatives, Shawna Lynch-Watkins brings over a decade of experience in higher education. 

“I was drawn to the opportunity of contributing to an institution that blends academic excellence with a deeply personal approach to education and being in a role that supports innovation, collaboration, and community engagement,” said Lynch-Watkins about what attracted her to Meredith. 

In her role as the senior associate director of graduate admissions and lifelong learning, Lynch-Watkins leads strategic recruitment initiatives and collaborates with graduate and adult learning program staff to support enrollment growth. Her background in enrollment strategy and program development will aid the Office of Graduate Admissions’ goal of increasing enrollment for graduate and adult programs.   

“Higher education opens doors,” said Lynch-Watkins about what she likes most about working in admissions and enrollment. “It’s about guiding individuals toward transformative experiences. Whether it’s helping someone find the right program to make a career change or supporting someone returning to school after many years, it’s incredibly rewarding to be part of their journey.”

Learn more about graduate and post-baccalaureate programs at Meredith.