Meet the Office of Enrollment Management

During her six years serving as Associate in the Mount Saint Mary Academy Office of Enrollment Management, Julia Pierce has brought warmth, camaraderie with students, faculty and staff, earned the respect of Administrators, and demonstrated an exuberant, innovative and limitless can-do spirit. In July 2026, she transitioned to the role of Director of Enrollment Management.

“What initially drew me here and has kept me here is the incredibly close-knit, family-like atmosphere. It is rare to find a school where everyone feels so genuinely connected, and I am thrilled to continue welcoming new families into this supportive environment,” shared Ms. Pierce.

Selecting the words “inclusive, family, intentional, driven, and nurturing, to describe the Mount Saint Mary Academy culture, Ms. Pierce said she has had the unique privilege of seeing the school through fresh eyes every day.

“What impresses me most about our culture is the immediate sense of belonging prospective families feel when they step onto campus. What truly sets us apart is our consistency; the warm, inclusive community we promise families during the admissions process is exactly what they experience every single day as students,” she noted. “Our culture doesn't just welcome people, it actively sustains them.”

Ms. Pierce considered her goals and expectations for the most rewarding parts of this new leadership position.

“My primary goal is to strategically expand our outreach while protecting the close-knit, family-like culture that defines the Mount,” she said. “I want to ensure that as we grow and evolve, every prospective family still feels that immediate, personal warmth the moment they connect with us.”

“The most rewarding part will be seeing the entire cycle come full circle. Having served as Associate, I know how incredible it feels to welcome a family on tour. Now, as Director, leading the strategy that brings those families into our community and watching those students thrive over their four years will be profoundly fulfilling,” she noted.

She reflected, “Looking back at my first day at the Mount, my focus was entirely on mastering the daily logistics of the admissions office. Over the last six years, my perspective has grown from tactical execution to strategic leadership. I’ve learned to look at enrollment not just as a set of numbers, but as the foundation of our school's mission and future. What I value most deeply today is the authentic community we cultivate here. The relationships I’ve built with families, our faculty and staff, and our incredible students are what anchor me."

“Looking ahead five years, my vision as Director is to blend our timeless Mercy traditions with modern, forward-thinking recruitment strategies,” added Ms. Pierce. “I want to expand our outreach to new demographic areas, optimize our use of data to understand enrollment trends, and deeply invest in our student leadership programs so that our current students remain our strongest voice in sharing the Mount experience.”

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A 2019 graduate, Abigail “Abby” Gagliano of New Providence joined Mount Saint Mary Academy on July 13 as the new Enrollment Management Associate. Abby’s sisters, Cory Gagliano ’13, Kathy Gagliano ’14, and Rebecca Gagliano ’22, are also graduates of the Mount.

“I am looking forward to helping prospective students and their families discover all that the Mount has to offer as they make an important decision about their future,” she said. “Having experienced the Mount firsthand, I know the lasting impact the school can have, and I am excited to help others begin that same journey. I hope to contribute to a welcoming environment where every student feels supported and valued, and where they can thrive both academically and personally.”

Abby reflected on how her experience as a student will shape her new role: “I know how supportive the faculty and staff are, the strong sense of community, and the opportunities the Mount provides both inside and outside the classroom. I hope that sharing my personal experience helps prospective students and their families envision themselves as part of the Mount community and feel confident in choosing the Mount.”

In her previous role as Human Resources Assistant at the New Jersey Department of Children and Families, Abby gained experience in recruitment and supporting applicants throughout the hiring process, including application review, coordinating interviews, and overall candidate support. She is excited to apply these skills in enrollment management while continuing to learn and grow in this area.

“What sets the Mount apart is not only its challenging academics and wide range of involvement opportunities, but also the people,” said Abby. “The Mount fosters an environment where teachers and faculty are supportive and encouraging, and students are able to flourish and connect. The people you meet at the Mount remain in your life for years to come. It is truly a community that continues to support you even after graduation.”

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