Brewster Welcomes Bryan Gross as Dean of Enrollment & Marketing
By Suzanne Morrissey
Dr. Bryan Gross will be joining the Brewster community as our new Dean of Enrollment Management and Marketing at the end of July. The role combines the responsibilities of leading the Admissions and Communications and Marketing teams.
“We first interviewed Bryan for our Admissions opening, and soon realized that his background in—and enthusiasm for—marketing and communications created an opportunity for a combined role that expertly fits our needs,” said Kristy Kerin, Head of School.
Gross’s professional journey reads like a roadmap of educational innovation, marked by a deep commitment to student success and global understanding. From international student recruitment to higher education senior administration, Gross has consistently been driven by a passion for transformative learning.
Gross comes to Brewster after serving as the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Athletics at Hartwick College, where he led strategic initiatives that strengthened enrollment and increased net tuition revenue. “My approach to enrollment management and student success is deeply rooted in data-driven strategy and cross-functional collaboration,” he says.
Our new dean holds his Ed.D. in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California, an M.Ed. in Counseling and Psychological Services/Athletic Counseling from Springfield College, and his undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Penn State. He also has a certification in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace.
Gross’s career in higher education began at the University of Bridgeport. There, he was instrumental in growing and supporting one of the largest per capita international student populations in the United States. This experience wasn’t just a job for him—it was a calling that would shape his professional philosophy.
Later, at St. John’s University as Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management, Gross experienced the excitement of division one athletics and large-scale educational operations. Later, he made a strategic move to Western New England University, where he spent eight and a half years as Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing.
His entrepreneurial spirit then led him to a unique consulting role, where he worked with 22 campuses, helping college presidents develop strategic plans and analyze revenue projections. Yet, despite the professional success, Gross missed the daily pulse of campus life—and made the move to Hartwick College. He has worked a hybrid schedule there, splitting his time between the campus Oneonta, N.Y. and his home in Longmeadow, Mass.
At Hartwick he has helped create a more sustainable financial aid model, strengthened admissions standards, boosted retention rates, and succeeded with an innovative market initiative. A huge sports fan, he also expanded athletic offerings at the liberal arts college of about 1,200 full-time students.
Brewster connected with Gross through the educational search firm, DovetailEd Talent Sourcing. For the new dean, his wife Kim (a doctor of occupational therapy), and their three children—Rayna, and twins Kendall and Bailey—the move to Brewster is a homecoming of sorts. They have deep ties to Wolfeboro. The family has vacationed in the area for decades, and they have close relatives nearby. They haven’t missed a vacation at Tuftonboro’s Sunset Lodges in almost 25 years, and an ice cream at Bailey’s Bubble or crepes at Seven Suns are some of their favorite treats. Brewster Class of 2005 valedictorian, Weston Sager, is Gross’s cousin—so there’s a Bobcat connection as well!
What truly captivated Gross about Brewster was its unique educational approach. During his campus tour, he was struck by the school’s commitment to meeting students where they are. The diverse curriculum represents more than just course offerings. To Gross, it represents a genuine opportunity for students to explore their interests and discover their passions. “I really felt that the curriculum is lined up to help students lead a life of purpose,” Gross said. This philosophy aligns perfectly with his own professional mission of supporting student growth.
As he prepares to start as Dean of Enrollment and Marketing, Gross is not just changing jobs, he’s embracing a new chapter of educational leadership. He’s also looking to be a Brewster dad. His twin daughters are applying as 9th graders at Brewster.
What about taking on this newly formed double role? “As time and technology have evolved, there is less and less of a line between recruitment and marketing,” Gross said. “And I think the most successful recruiters also understand their role as marketers and how those two roles are connected. That relationship is critical from a marketing and communications perspective, of course,” adding that he’ll be learning important cultural nuances at Brewster as he shapes his perspective in the new role.
“Throughout my career in higher education, I have worked at mission-driven institutions committed to student-centered growth, and I believe deeply that the foundations for lifelong success are built during the critical high school years,” he shared. “I am eager to bring my collaborative leadership style and positive energy to Brewster’s exceptional school community.”
