STEVE HAMILTON Senior Associate Director hamiltos@upenn.edu 215-898-4535

About STEVE
My own college search took me to a place very different from Penn... DeSales University had about 1,000 students back then, and was nearly surrounded by cornfields! At the time, it was the right place for me, and it reminds me that each student must conduct a thorough college search to find the right match.

After graduation, I worked in the DeSales Admissions Office for three years, where I loved interacting with prospective students and their families. I moved on to prep-school admissions at Devon Preparatory School for a few years, then came to Penn in 1997, where I have worked in various capacities of Alumni Relations. It was the fall of 2002 when I came to the Alumni Council on Admissions and found the perfect job for me!

“Maybe the best thing about my job is meeting the students themselves.”

Here, I still meet Penn Alumni and hear intriguing stories about their own Penn experiences. I continue to learn a great deal about the field of admissions and I enjoy discussing it with our legacy candidates. Maybe the best thing about my job is meeting the students themselves. It is both fascinating and motivating to hear how passionate they are about some of their activities or hobbies.

Some personal notes... My passion lately has been in the realm of long-distance running. I've completed 5 marathons, and hope to run a marathon in every state. I guess I like parades too: I have marched in the Philadelphia New Years Day parade 6 times (yes, basically as a clown), and I've marched in the Aruba Carnivale too! Perhaps I'd sum myself up as someone who loves the outdoors: I've climbed mountains, paddled kayaks, and even jumped out of airplanes!
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L. WAYLES WILSON, GR'09 Assistant Director wayles@upenn.edu 215-898-5399

About WAYLES
Much like Steve, my own college search didn't land me at Penn, or at least not until graduate school. For undergrad, I went to a small, liberal arts school (Washington College) on the Eastern Shore of Maryland (where I was born and raised). I received a dual-degree in business management and international relations, and had the opportunity to study abroad in both Amsterdam and London. I also worked in the "WC" Admissions Office including campus tours and helping produce publications.

After graduation, I stayed close to home working in international sales and marketing, but it didn't take long for me to realize that I was ready for city life! Philadelphia was my natural choice, as my father had gone to Penn for grad school and we had family friends in the area (we used to live in Fairmount Park). For nearly two years, I worked at Penn in the Parents Program. One of my main responsibilities was working with parents of current students and coordinating with residential life and student activities offices.

“The passion that comes from all Penn students, faculty, and staff makes it a wonderful place”

My love for Penn strengthened after I began taking classes- I truly enjoy the atmosphere and amazing people I get to meet! The passion that comes from all Penn students, faculty, and staff makes it a wonderful place- easy to come to campus everyday! I completed my Masters in Governmental Administration from the Fels Institute of Government with a certificate in Non-profit Administration here at Penn. (I finally became a Penn alumnae in May 2009!)

I've been in Philadelphia for over 4 years, and have loved every minute. One of my favorite Philadelphia activities is frequenting a long list of great restaurants (probably since I used to manage a restaurant in Old City). I also can't pass up the opportunity to stroll around the many streets and parks the city has to offer. While you are on campus, check out the Bio-pond!
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Emily Siegel Assistant Director emsiegel@upenn.edu 215-573-3846

About EMILY
Like Steve and Wayles, my college search didn’t lead me to Penn.   Being from Minnesota, I was tired of the long winters and wanted a completely different (and warmer!) experience.   And that’s just what I found by going to a small liberal arts school in Orange County, California – Concordia University, Irvine.   After changing my major ten different times, my academic advisor finally suggested that I design my own major.  In the end, I designed a program that was a compilation of many of my previously declared majors – Political Science, Sociology, Education and Economics. 

After college, I pursued a year-long volunteer commitment working with high school students and their families.  I soon found myself connecting best with students that were beginning their college search.  I enjoyed helping them understand how they could pursue their interests and passions in higher education, and what characteristics and qualities might make a University a good fit for them.  It was then that I realized college admission would be a meaningful career for me.
Having loved my college experience, but wanting to be closer to home, I found a great fit working at my alma mater’s sister school – Concordia University, St. Paul.  Serving as an Admission Counselor and Assistant Director of Admission for the past 4 years, I truly found my passion in helping students and their families navigate the college admission process.

Recently, my husband surprised me with a trip to Philadelphia.  We loved the city and we were up for an adventure - so we decided to make Philly our new home!  I am thrilled to be joining the ACA at Penn.  I’m looking forward to meeting our Alumni and hearing their stories (feel free to suggest to this Philly-newbie some good places to explore!).  And of course, I’m also excited to get to continue my passion for advising students and their families on the college admission process.  
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Margaret Shepherd Administrative Assistant mashep@upenn.edu 215-898-6888

About MARGARET
As an undergrad at the College of Wooster in rural Ohio I studied History with a minor in Philosophy. After graduating in May of 2008 I moved back home to DC to work at the George Washington University in the office of Summer Sessions. It was at GW that I discovered a passion for higher education administration.

I have always loved the history in Philadelphia, which has now brought me to Penn and the ACA. I am excited to be a part of Alumni Relations at Penn and am looking forward to the journey ahead!

Fun Fact about Margaret: I’m a movie buff; I love everything from "chick flicks" to independent films. I am especially interested in the role movies can play as historical documents.
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