Meet the Admission Office

Shenkman House - Admission

451 Main Street • Wilbraham, MA 01095 • 800.616.3659 (US only)

413.596.9107 • admission@WMA.us

Director of Admission

Chris Sparks, a member of the WMA Class of 1995, is Director of Admission and coaches Boys' Varsity Basketball. Chris played Varsity Football and Varsity Basketball as a student at the Academy and played on the Men’s Varsity basketball team at the University of Southern Maine.

Since graduating from Southern Maine, he has built his profession around basketball. He served as assistant men’s coach at the University of New England, Brown University, and Central Connecticut State University before his appointment at the University of Pennsylvania in 2006. He was also the director of the Eastern Invitational summer basketball camp in New Jersey in 2004 and 2005.

Since joining WMA in August 2008, Chris has held the positions of Academic Services, Assistant Director of Admission, and Director of Admission, which he has held since June 2011.

Chris resides on campus in Wallace Blake with his wife Leah, son Keenan, and daughters Cuyler & Ruby. 

Associate Director of Admission

Born and raised in the Wilbraham area, Carlee D'Amato attended Minnechaug Regional High School, graduating in 2002. While in high school, she had the opportunity to study abroad at the SABIS International School in Bath, England which kindled her passion for international travel and the broad variables of education. Upon graduation, she enrolled at Bridgewater State College where she earned her Bachelors Degree in Sociology and again studied abroad at Manchester Metropolitan University in Crewe, England.  Since 2007 she has worked in Admission and Financial Aid departments for various area colleges before bringing her wealth of experience to WMA. Ms. D'Amato's cheerful personality, and her innate ability to understand the needs of today's prospective students serve her well in her role as Associate Director of Admission.

Ms. D'Amato is currently working on her Masters in Higher Education Administration with a concentration in Enrollment Management.

Assistant Director of Admission

Mike Thompson completed 30 years in the public school system, retiring from Ludlow High School. He previously worked for 10 years at the Academy as Director of College Counseling and was the Head Coach of Girls’ Varsity Basketball. Mike received his bachelor’s degree from Providence College and also holds graduate degrees from Westfield State University and Springfield College. In his second tour of duty at WMA, Mike serves as Assistant Director of Admission.

Assistant Director of Admission

Originally from Connecticut, JonRobert (JR) began working at WMA in March 2012. He graduated from Albertus Magnus College with a bachelor's degree. In addition to his position in the Admission office, JR is a dorm parent, Gold Key Advisor and Assistant Baseball Coach.

Middle School Admission Counselor

Jeanine works in the Admission Office to assist in the recruitment and admission of students to the WMA Middle School. She began her association with Wilbraham & Monson Academy in 2005 as a parent when her two oldest children entered the middle school. Her son Austin graduated from the Academy in 2012 and is currently attending the University of Chicago. Her daughter, Heather '13, and son, David '16 are enjoying the upper school.

Jeanine majored in business at the University of Connecticut and subsequently worked at MassMutual in commerical real estate finance. While a student, she was actively involved with admissions as a tour guide and as a summer orientation leader for incoming students. She was selected as a resident assistant her junior and senior year, and served one semester as head resident.

Director of Financial Aid and Bursar

Kate Gaw

Administrative Assistant

International Student Advisor

Loretta Fograshy

Administrative Assistant

Erin Mahar