Hewitt News

We are thrilled to announce that Melissa Hong will be Hewitt’s next director of admissions and enrollment, effective July 1, 2021. After a highly competitive search process that concluded with full-day interviews, online conversations with students, and a thorough review of feedback submitted by faculty, staff, parent volunteer leaders, and the search committee, we are delighted to have recruited a highly accomplished professional with extensive knowledge of and experience in New York City independent schools. 

Melissa is a native New Yorker with a track record of innovative, mission-driven admissions and enrollment work. During the search process, we were impressed by her commitment to collaboration, her devotion to excellence and equity in education, her keen intelligence, and her ability to convey our mission in authentic, compelling ways. 

For the past eight years, Melissa has worked at Avenues: The World School, where she serves as director of the early learning center and lower division admissions. In her role overseeing admissions for preschool through grade 5, Melissa has been instrumental in growing enrollment, leading retention efforts, and helping to bring new perspectives and voices to the Avenues community. Before joining Avenues, Melissa lived abroad and she also taught third grade at PS 2 in Lower Manhattan. Melissa grew up in Manhattan and attended both The Nightingale-Bamford School and Trinity School. She earned a B.A. from Tufts University and an M. Ed. from Teachers College at Columbia University. She lives in Manhattan with her husband and two sons. 

Melissa looks forward to joining Hewitt and working alongside our wonderful community of students, families, teachers, staff, and alumnae. She shared that during the search process, the more she learned about Hewitt’s strategic vision, the more excited she felt about joining our team. Melissa said, “I am so proud to be joining the Hewitt family at this pivotal juncture in the School's growth. Reimagining what a Hewitt education means and advancing a differentiated, innovative approach to educating girls and young women is truly inspiring.” In the coming months, Head of School Dr. Tara Christie Kinsey looks forward to working with Melissa and Director of Admissions and Enrollment Amy Jablonski to begin a transition process to ensure the smooth and effective continuation of our outstanding admissions program.

We are extraordinarily grateful to each and every member of the Hewitt community who devoted time, energy, and thought to this process. Their thoughtful attention, questions, and feedback have so clearly shown their investment in and care for our school and its exciting future. We are also grateful to Christine (“Chris”) Baker at The Baker Group for her help in recruiting such a strong pool of highly qualified candidates. 

Please join us in congratulating and warmly welcoming Melissa to Hewitt as the next leader of admissions and enrollment.