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Our Pre-College Team

Marjorie C. Dawkins

Associate Director for Enrollment Management

Although new to Carnegie Mellon’s Pre-College Programs as of 2021, Marjorie is not new to Carnegie Mellon or to pre-college programming. Prior to her employment at Carnegie Mellon University beginning in 2018, Marjorie worked at a college access and success nonprofit providing educational services and support to underserved middle school, high school, and post-secondary students in the greater Philadelphia area. After working several years in the development department, Marjorie moved into program management serving as Director of Student Programs prior to her relocation to Pittsburgh. She has a Bachelor of Science in Advertising and a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Management. Marjorie believes that education is life-changing and values being a part of a team that helps provide educational opportunities to high school students during this critical and exciting time in their lives.

Catherine Latell

Administrative & Communications Coordinator

Catherine joined Carnegie Mellon University in the fall of 2024 after a seven-year career at a federal agency in Washington, D.C., and a year-long planned career break to pursue her passion in art. She initially joined the federal government in 2016 as a Presidential Management Fellow and served in a number of roles, most recently as a senior advisor in communications and operations. Catherine earned her BA and MA in English at the University of Notre Dame, where she also tutored students in their writing—an experience that inspired continued volunteer tutoring work as well as her eventual transition to higher education administration. An advocate for opportunities that encourage students to explore their interests and use their individual talents to better their communities, Catherine is excited to bring her skillset to Pre-College Programs.

Yang Liu

Director

Yang’s professional experiences working in education and with pre-college and university students from around the world stretch over two decades. Born in Shenyang, China, Yang earned her undergraduate degree in Teaching English as a Foreign Language in China and her master’s degree in Rhetoric and Technical Communication from Michigan Technological University. Having been both a student and an educator across different cultures set the trajectory to support the educational pursuits of students from diverse backgrounds. Having worked with international programs, enrollment management, student services, and language training in both the higher education and secondary environments, she understands the impact education has on developing young minds and creating global citizens. Being a member of the great Tartan family, Yang is more motivated than ever by the successes she’s witnessed throughout her career and the hope that education brings to everyone.

Meg Pryor

Assistant Director for Student Affairs

Meg is no stranger to educational programming for pre-college students. Her background is in theatre (she earned her BFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and her MFA in Performance Pedagogy from the University of Pittsburgh), which ultimately led her to educational theatre. She was on faculty for the Drama departments at NYU, Point Park University, and the University of Pittsburgh. Additionally, she taught at the high school level in programs across the country and was the educational outreach coordinator for CAP21 Conservatory, where she designed and implemented multiple educational programs for high school students. This position allows Meg the opportunity to bring her experience along with her passion for helping students to reach their fullest potential to the dedicated Pre-College Programs team. She is grateful for the work she is able to do, in collaboration with the CMU community, to provide an invaluable growth experience for both Pre-College students and undergraduate CMU students.

Elizabeth Yazemboski

Senior Director of Strategy for Event and Program Development

Beth joined CMU in 1997 and has been involved with the Pre-College program since 1999. She received her undergraduate degree in Business Management, with a minor in Human Resource Management, at Carlow University. Prior to her tenure with CMU, she spent eight years at Penn State University in various financial roles within the College of Engineering and administrative roles at other PSU branch campuses. In her current role, she is the Senior Director of Strategy for Event and Program Development for Pre-College and Conference & Event Services. Her 34+ years of work experience in the higher education industry best highlights her commitment to the field. Beth has a true passion for positively impacting the educational experience of high school students. She believes providing the students with an opportunity to experience college life prior to their undergraduate studies only better prepares them. Working with so many members of the campus community including the interactions with prospective students, parents, and other Pre-College programs from other institutions is very rewarding to her.