Tani Castañeda Named CMU’s Vice Provost for Enrollment Management

Dr. Tania (Tani) Castañeda has been appointed as Carnegie Mellon University’s new vice provost for enrollment management and dean of admission(opens in new window), effective Aug. 25, 2025.

Castañeda joins CMU from Teachers College, Columbia University, where she most recently served as vice president for enrollment management and student success. In that role, she spearheaded an institution-wide evolution of enrollment planning and strategy, financial aid management and student support. Her initiatives led to strengthened enrollment forecasting, increased application volume, the launch of new online degrees and innovative scholarship programs. She also secured substantial funding to streamline and improve student services.

"Dr. Castañeda is a leader known for driving innovation and strategic growth in the enrollment and admissions space. Her expertise in spearheading institution-wide strategies and enhancing student services will be invaluable in shaping the future of student enrollment and success at Carnegie Mellon University," said James H. Garrett Jr., provost and chief academic officer at CMU. 

Before her time at Teachers College, Castañeda was the associate vice chancellor for enrollment management at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, where she led new student enrollment efforts for nine schools and colleges, optimized financial aid packaging, enhanced marketing impact and elevated student-centered service delivery. Castañeda completed her undergraduate studies at Wellesley College and earned master’s degrees in mental health counseling from Boston College and in psychology from Brandeis University. She holds an Ed.D. in organizational leadership and development from Northeastern University.

"It’s an honor to serve as the next Vice Provost of Enrollment Management and Dean of Admission for Carnegie Mellon, an institution that has always been at the forefront of innovation and creativity,” Castañeda said. “With enthusiasm for the opportunities ahead, I’m looking forward to working with the great team in place to build upon CMU’s success in recruiting and engaging highly talented students."

This appointment follows a comprehensive search, co-chaired by Dr. Becky Culyba, vice provost for operations and strategic initiatives and chief of staff to the provost, and Dr. Michael Murphy, distinguished service professor and executive director of the Center for Leadership Studies.