Mollie Cecere, Carlow’s VP of Enrollment Management and Corporate Partnerships, has been named as one of 2025’s “Women of Influence” by Pittsburgh Business Times magazine.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE BELOW, via PITTSBURGH BUSINESS TIMES
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Women of Influence: Meet the 2025 Honorees
Mollie Cecere
Vice president of enrollment management and corporate partnerships, Carlow University
In 2018, Mollie Cecere, a seasoned higher education enrollment management professional who now has over 20 years of experience, joined the administration at Carlow University. Since coming on board at the private Catholic university in Oakland, she has helped grow enrollment significantly at a time when many schools are facing big enrollment declines. In her role, she oversees a team that handles admissions, financial aid and corporate partnerships. Her work at Carlow is what led to the creation of its Carlow Community Scholars Program, an initiative that helps former foster youth and students experiencing homelessness achieve their degrees. Cecere also is on the board of Oakland Catholic High School and, as of May 2025, completed her doctorate in education from the University of Pittsburgh.
Why did you pursue a career in higher education? My undergraduate experience at Saint Vincent College was the catalyst that sparked my journey into higher education. It has become a calling for me to engage in this field and help guide students toward their futures. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to hold leadership positions in enrollment at four different institutions.
What have been the most important strategies for growing enrollment at Carlow despite national demographic trends? Carlow has been actively planning to respond to demographic trends. Since 2021, we have added 14 new academic programs that align with our academic strengths and expertise. Those programs have driven enrollment, resulting in an 18.2% increase over the last four years. This was a collaborative effort involving university leadership, faculty and staff.
What are the specific aspects of a Carlow education that you enjoy highlighting in your work? A Carlow education is truly transformational for our students. We transform lives as we strive for a more just and merciful world. The Carlow Community Scholars Program is deeply connected to our mission at Carlow.
What’s a standout moment from your career? The fall of 2024 at Carlow marked the highest enrollment in the institution’s history.
What’s your favorite pearl of wisdom? Be courageous in your character yet humble in your confidence.
What do you think it means to be a Woman of Influence? A Woman of Influence is called to lead, push boundaries, support other women, challenge the status quo, innovate, passionately pursue her goals and pave the way for the next generation of leaders.