The “Can-Do” Attitude
Stephanie Opalinski, director of graduate recruitment and enrollment marketing at the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering, is constantly on the move.
Throughout the year, Opalinski logs thousands of miles across the U.S. to recruit prospective students to the Swanson School’s more than 25 graduate programs. In many ways, she’s typically the very first face of the school students meet.
Opalinski, who has worked in graduate recruitment for Pitt for more than eight years, was recently appointed the treasurer for PAGAP, a state-chapter organization of the overarching NAGAP, the Association of Graduate Enrollment Management. Opalinski has been part of NAGAP since her start at Pitt in 2016.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining the leadership team at PAGAP,” Opalinski said. “In this position, I hope to continue the organization’s mission of promoting excellence and collaboration among graduate recruitment professionals. Some may assume we are in competition with each other as graduate recruitment professionals for different universities but it really is about not only supporting each other but also about helping students find the right graduate program for them.”
Colleagues noted Opalinski’s “can-do attitude” since her start as the Swanson School’s first graduate recruiter. Initially hired for online graduate projects, she was quickly promoted to oversee recruitment for PhD, MS and online programs. As part of her position at Pitt, Opalinski serves on the Liaison International Advisory Board for EngCAS, the graduate application system used by the Swanson School. She was also on the founding committee for the inaugural Swanson School-wide graduate orientation, which now happens every August.
"I am really excited to see Stephanie’s years of focused graduate recruiting for the Swanson School of Engineering opening doors to her on the state and national scale,” said Bob Parker, Robert v.d. Luft professor of chemical and petroleum engineering and associate dean for graduate education at Pitt. “Her upbeat nature and ability to execute will be leadership assets to PAGAP."
As the engineering representative on the Vice Provost’s Graduate Professional Admissions and Recruiting Committee, Opalinski plays a crucial role in shaping university-level graduate marketing and recruiting strategies, particularly through her involvement in the growth and development of Pitt2Pitt, a scholarship program for Pitt undergraduates who continue on for the MS in one of the 80-plus participating programs.
Her involvement with Pitt often travels outside the University. Opalinski personally developed relationships with student organizations like the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) to provide in-person presentations and workshops on graduate school opportunities across the country.
Her term as treasurer is two-years.