It only takes a moment to read Mike Steidel’s LinkedIn profile — it contains just one entry.

Dean of Admission
Carnegie Mellon University
May 1978 - Present · 45 yrs 1 mo
Pittsburgh, PA

After four-plus decades at Carnegie Mellon University, Steidel announced his retirement effective June 30, 2023. On April 27, family, friends and colleagues gathered in the Simmons Auditorium in the Tepper Building to pay tribute and celebrate his illustrious career at CMU. Speakers at the event included CMU Provost and Chief Academic Officer James H. Garrett Jr(opens in new window).; Associate Dean and Director of Admission Greg Edelman; Associate Vice President and Director of Enrollment Services and International Programs Lisa Krieg;(opens in new window) Executive Director, Center for Leadership Studies Michael Murphy(opens in new window); and President Farnam Jahanian(opens in new window).

A lifelong Tartan, Steidel graduated from CMU with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and administration and management science. While a student, he began his CMU career in 1974 as a campus tour guide in the admission office and became Carnegie Mellon’s youngest director of admission in 1986 at age 29. Steidel was named dean of admission in 2016. 

Among his numerous contributions that transformed admission at Carnegie Mellon have been an expansion of recruitment to underserved regions both domestic and abroad, partnerships with the university’s international campuses, and a passionate advocacy to increase financial aid for students. Over his 45 years in Undergraduate Admission, it’s estimated that more than 50,000 undergraduate students have enrolled at CMU.

“Mike has touched so many lives,” Jahanian said. “He has left such a memorable impression that absolutely inspired our students and created bonds with CMU that literally last a lifetime.”

To honor Steidel’s lifelong commitment to the university, Jahanian announced that the university has established a $1 million endowed scholarship. The scholarship will provide an annual, need-based grant in support of undergraduate students demonstrating financial need. Speaking directly to Steidel, Jahanian added, “We hope that this scholarship will continue your passion for providing opportunities to students who deserve to be at CMU. Hopefully, it will help us add more Tartan ‘lifers’ to our community.”

“Under Mike’s direction, the university has witnessed our admissions numbers reach impressive new heights. In 10 years, we have seen the number of applicants to CMU almost double, with an all-time high of more than 34,000 applicants during the most recent admissions cycle," Garrett said when he announced Steidel's retirement last spring(opens in new window). "His depth of knowledge in the field of admissions, as well as his passion for Carnegie Mellon, has had an enormous impact not only on the students we recruit, but also on all of us who have had the pleasure to work with and learn from him. Mike’s impact on our institution will be felt for years to come.”

Edleman was living at home with his parents when he received a call from Steidel inviting him to interview for a position as an assistant director of admission. “I borrowed one of my dad’s shirts and ties and headed in for the interview. I didn’t look great.” After a full day of interviews and meeting everyone on the staff, he was offered the job.

Edleman says that Steidel didn’t take a chance on him, but rather gave him an opportunity. “Opportunities come with support and mentorship and guidance and friendship. That’s how Mike approached how he designed an admission operation. Creating opportunities for kids, removing barriers and providing the support necessary to ensure success,” he said. “For 22 years I’ve received a master class on college admission and enrollment management.”

Kreig told the audience that Steidel is one of those Tartans with PLAID flowing through his veins — P is for partnerships; L for loyal; A for admission, aid, advocate and access; I for instigator; and D for demanding and dedicated. “Well, my PLAID friend, Carnegie Mellon will not be the same without you. My work in enrollment services was enriched by your experience and knowledge and I thank you for being a great partner and a loyal friend,” she said.

Murphy said of Steidel, “It is no exaggeration to say that Mike Steidel transformed this very community. Almost two generations of students became Tartans because of the vision of this man. That vision of course included academic and artistic excellence, built on diversity in every measure, from nationality to racial and ethnic identity, faith tradition, gender identity, sexuality, socioeconomics, leadership. Mike gave the best and the brightest from around the nation and world a home.”

“There is something really special about the people who work in college admission and college counseling jobs. The profession attracts an extremely open, warm and collegial group and I’m extremely grateful for the close friendships I’ve developed with people around the globe who do this work. But I’ve been especially fortunate to have done this work here at Carnegie Mellon,” Steidel said. “I’ve learned so much from my Carnegie Mellon colleagues who have made me a better professional, supervisor and human being. I will leave having taken full advantage of the talent, commitment and creativity of the faculty and staff who have made Carnegie Mellon a truly unique and exciting place to work — knowing it’s time to step down, but also knowing my heart will forever be in the work.”

Members of the CMU community who are interested in contributing to the Mike Steidel Undergraduate Scholarship in honor of his career and legacy at the university can make a gift here(opens in new window).