Enrollment Superheros

Summer wondering: Who’s your enrollment superhero?

As for me, mine is without question: Don Saluta.

Contrarian. Curmudgeon. Prankster. Rascal. And one of the smartest people I’ve ever met.

As Director of Admission & Financial Aid at Stevenson School (1982–1999), Don helped turn enrollment into a profession—one grounded in science, not just instinct. He was always ahead of his time. Like the time he charged families a fee to remain on the waitlist. My enrollment colleagues howled, as they often did when hearing Don’s ideas, but it worked.

But what made Don a true enrollment superhero was the way he shared. His knowledge. His network. His wisdom.

I was a 29-year-old, wet-behind-the-ears admission director when I met Don. He took me under his wing, introduced me around, and taught me more than I can ever repay. Sometimes through sage advice. Often through jokes. (He once introduced me at his retirement luncheon as “the guy he found in Boys’ Life magazine.”)

Don taught me how to build databases, recruit internationally, work with consultants, and most importantly—how to give back. His passion for golf was legendary. His generosity even more so.

So here’s to Don—my enrollment superhero.