Ryan M. Pagotto, Dean of Admission
Ryan has been on the faculty of Blair Academy since 2002 and was appointed dean of admission in the summer of 2008. He brings to this role his experience as an alumnus, a member of the history department for several years, a junior class monitor and head girls’ tennis coach. Ryan’s previous boarding school experience was at The Taft Summer School (Conn.) and Wyoming Seminary College Preparatory School (Penn.) where he was a history teacher and dean of students for summer programs. Additionally, he has served as director of The Cambridge Prep Experience, a division of Oxbridge Academic Programs, which is a selective summer program in Cambridge, England. Ryan earned his bachelor’s degree from Dickinson College and master’s from Columbia University. He and his wife, Jennifer, director of instrumental music at Blair, live in Meadowbrook Cottage with their two dogs, Nyla and Sebastian. The Pagottos enjoy opening their home to Blair students for various themed dinners, and their summer months are filled with work at a quieter Blair campus, a healthy dose of travel, and lots of time with family and friends.
Contact: E-mail

Heather M. Eckert, Associate Dean of Admission & Director of Financial Aid
Heather Eckert joined the Blair admission team in the summer of 2005 with past independent school experience that includes serving as a faculty member at the American Overseas School of Rome (AOSR) in Italy and teaching at the Loomis Chaffee Summer Program. Following her time at AOSR, Heather resided in New York City and Boston and held positions in public relations & communications, marketing, corporate strategic planning and portfolio management/accounting. A graduate of Loomis Chaffee as well, Heather was thrilled to have the opportunity to return to boarding school life and a career in education. Following her time at Loomis, Heather went on to earn a B.A. in history from Williams College in 2000. During her collegiate years, she ran varsity track and field and was a junior advisor (JA) and house president. She continues to be an active member in the Williams community as the treasurer of her graduating class and a class agent. Here at Blair, in addition to her role as associate dean of admission and director of financial aid, Heather is a the head girls’ track and field coach, the assistant girls’ cross country coach, and chairs the Blair Support Group. She also served as a class monitor for four years. In 2007, she was awarded the James M. Howard Fellowship for her “uncommon energy, leadership, significant involvement in the life of the school” and her commitment to the field of education, and she is currently pursuing her M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership at the University of Pennsylvania. Heather and her husband Mike, a history teacher and lacrosse coach at Blair, live in and run the junior girls’ dormitory, Annie Hall.
Contact: E-mail

Alexis Machabanski, Assistant Dean of Admission
Alexis is in her third year as a member of the Blair Admission Team. A native of Chicago, Alexis earned a B.A. in psychology and art history with a minor in Spanish from Williams College in 2007, and spent time working in education at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and at the Illinois Masonic Pediatric Developmental Center prior to moving to Blairstown. Beyond her responsibilities in the Admission Office, Alexis teaches Advanced Placement Art History, serves as an international student monitor, coaches the junior varsity girls’ softball team, and is involved with various aspects of campus and student life as a member of the Blair Support Group and the Rules and Discipline Committee. She also taught Spanish and coached junior varsity soccer during her first two years at Blair. Alexis resides in Ivy Hall and serves as assistant housemaster for Locke and Ivy Halls, the freshman and sophomore girls’ dormitory. Growing up in a bilingual home, living in Spain for five months during her collegiate years, and traveling extensively abroad in South America, Europe and Africa, Alexis brings a strong sense of cross-cultural understanding and commitment to the Blair campus.
Contact: E-mail

Paul Clavel ’88, Associate in Admission
A Blair student from 1984-1988, Paul was excited to return to Blair in 2004 along with his family. During his earlier days as a Buc, Paul served as a prefect in East Hall, played lacrosse and wrestled, and was elected captain of the wrestling team his senior year. In 1988, Paul matriculated to Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., where he earned his B.S. in secondary education and obtained his mathematics teaching certification. While at Old Dominion, he was a three-year member of the wrestling team. After graduating from college, Paul taught mathematics in Virginia for Norfolk Public Schools for two years and nine years for Chesapeake Public Schools. In addition to his teaching responsibilities at Chesapeake, he served as athletic director and wrestling coach. In 2004, Paul received his M.Ed. in school administration from Cambridge College of Cambridge, Massachusetts. At Blair, Paul holds a number of roles in the school community. In addition to his work in the Admission Office, he serves as a mathematics teacher, assistant wrestling coach, the head girls’ golf coach and post graduate monitor. Paul lives on campus with his wife, Erika, and their two beautiful daughters, Avery and Emma. During his spare time, Paul enjoys quality time with his family, and a quick round of golf on the Blair course.
Contact: E-mail

Amy Paul ’99, Associate in Admission
No stranger to Blair, Amy comes from a long line of Buccaneers. Her father was in the class of 1965, her aunt and uncle both graduated in the 1970s and her two sisters graduated in the 1990s. Amy graduated from Blair in 1999 and, while new to the admissions office this year, she has worked in Blair’s development office since 2007. Amy attended Barnard College, where she was a member of the Columbia women’s lacrosse team and received a B.A in English with a concentration in American literature in 2003. Following Barnard, Amy worked in marketing for a book publishing house in New York and later as an account executive at an advertising firm servicing book publishing clients. At Blair, Amy lives in Annie Hall, assists with the girls’ field hockey and lacrosse programs, serves on the Rules and Discipline Committee, and also teaches ninth grade CHAT. She loves Blair and is thrilled to be back on campus.
Contact: E-mail

Ben Smith, Associate in Admission
In August, Ben commenced his first year on the Blair admission team. A Washington, D.C., native, Ben attended St. Andrew’s School in Middletown, Delaware, and his formative boarding school years significantly influenced his decision to join the Blair faculty. Following St. Andrew’s, Ben matriculated to Bowdoin College and graduated in June of 2009 with a B.A. in Government and Legal Studies. While at Bowdoin, Ben was a member of the men’s varsity lacrosse team and served as the director of a mentoring program pairing Bowdoin students with local middle school students in the area. At Blair, Ben will devote his time to a variety of responsibilities, including traveling across the United States to promote Blair and co-managing the admission tour guide program. In addition, Ben serves as a dorm parent in Insley Hall, home to freshman and sophomore boys, and coaches girls’ squash and boys’ lacrosse. Loyal to his D.C. roots, Ben describes himself as a “big time” Redskins and Capitals Fan. In his spare time, Ben is known to be found on the squash courts, the track, or sneaking in nine holes of golf.
Contact: E-mail

Alma Costantino, Assistant to the Dean of Admission
This year marks Alma’s 40th year in the Blair Admission Office. With such tenure, she is not only one of the longest standing members of the Blair faculty or staff, but she is also among the most beloved members of the Blair family. From her desk in the historic Blair Room, Alma has greeted thousands of prospective students and parents, welcomed alumni returning to their alma mater, and managed the day-to-day operations of an increasingly busy admission office with a warm smile, precise attention to detail, and her quintessential touch of class. In addition to Alma’s oversight of the Blair Room, she schedules personal interviews, manages the admission master calendar, coordinates financial aid and handles the extensive travel schedule for the admission office staff.

Nancy Klein, Administrative Assistant & Admission Database Manager
The friendly voice you hear when calling the Blair Admission Office with general questions belongs to Nancy Klein. In addition to handling all initial inquiries and overseeing the various admission office mailings, Nancy manages the office database and assists in the coordination of open houses for prospective students and their families. Prior to joining the Blair community, Nancy held other professional positions and served as a parent volunteer for various Blair events. Having experienced Blair as a staff member and parent, she is uniquely qualified to speak with prospective students and their families about the Blair experience. Nancy resides in Blairstown, N.J., with her husband, Bob, and their children, Billy ’11, Morgan’13, Hannah and Cortney.

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