Common App names interim CEO

Mr. Mott began his admissions career at Rollins College

The Common Application announced yesterday that Paul B. Mott has joined the organization as Interim Chief Executive Officer.  The announcement comes after the departure of Rob Killion, who headed the Common App for ten years.

In an email forwarded to Common App members, Thyra Briggs, president of the  board of directors and vice president for admission and financial aid at Harvey Mudd College, quotes colleagues who describe Mr. Mott as “smart, thoughtful, analytical and a clear communicator.”  She goes on to characterize him as a "leader in organizations going through transition."

The appointment of Mr. Mott follows a national search conducted by the board for someone to head the Common App as it begins the process of preparing for the 2014-15 admission cycle.  No additional information was provided as to the planned length of the appointment or the process for hiring a permanent Chief Executive Officer. 

Mr. Mott brings 15 years of experience in secondary and higher education as director of college counseling at St. Mark’s School of Texas, assistant director of admissions at Williams College, and admissions counselor at Rollins College.  While at St. Marks, Mr. Mott served as soccer coach and taught AP Government. 

According to the email from Ms. Briggs, he recently he served as marketing and communications consultant to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at Stanford University.

Mr. Mott has also played professional soccer, served as head of club services for Major League Soccer (MLS), president of the New Orleans Hornets (NBA team) and principal of TeamBow Consulting—a private consulting firm with a specialty in sports business.

Married to Quenby Jackson Mott, who has served as vice dean/director of admissions at the University of Pennsylvania as well as an independent college counselor for College Coach, Mr. Mott is a graduate of Dartmouth College.

In the next few weeks, Mr. Mott will begin the process of introducing himself to the Common App membership and addressing the organization’s “strategic priorities” for the coming year.