Colorado College is pleased to announce the appointment of Tony Cabasco as the new Vice President for Enrollment. Cabasco, currently serving as the Vice President for Enrollment at Bennington College in Vermont, will assume his new role on July 1.
Cabasco brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to CC. With nearly 30 years of experience in higher education, he has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to student success and access to education. His strategic approach to enrollment management, combined with his passion for fostering inclusive communities, aligns perfectly with Colorado College's mission and values.
Under Cabasco’s guidance, the admissions team at Bennington College experienced consecutive years of record applications from 2021 to 2024. Notably, Cabasco successfully doubled the number of applications from BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) students, fostering a more diverse and inclusive student body. Furthermore, he tripled the number of applications from international students, enhancing the global perspective and cultural richness of the college community.
Cabasco previously worked in college admissions at Whitman College in Washington for 24 years, serving as an admission officer, assistant director of admission, and associate director of admission before being named Director of Admission in 2000 after a national search. He was promoted to Dean of Admission & Financial Aid in 2004. During Cabasco’s tenure, Whitman saw record applications, an improved academic profile, expanded geographic diversity, and enhanced access for students of color, first generation students, and Pell Grant recipients.
Executive search firm WittKiefer led the search for this position and a team from CC made the final decision.
“Tony shares Colorado College’s commitment to academic excellence and our belief that talent is diverse,” said Lori Seager, Search Chair and Chief Financial Officer. “He has a history of thinking differently while achieving ambitious enrollment goals at Bennington and Whitman. Throughout the search process, Tony demonstrated his dynamic leadership and vision for the path forward. Just as importantly, he made it clear he is passionate about all that a CC education has to offer.”
Cabasco has served on the executive board of the Pacific Northwest Association for College Admission Counseling and as a faculty member in the College Board’s Admission Summer Institute. He has presented on college admissions at professional conferences and secondary schools throughout the U.S.
"I was attracted to Colorado College because of its commitment to providing the finest liberal arts education; the friendly, accomplished, and down-to-earth community members I met during the interview process; and the college’s dedication to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion,” Cabasco said. “I’ve admired the college’s innovative and distinctive Block Plan, which allows for creative pedagogical approaches that help prepare students for a lifetime of learning and active citizenship in a global community. I look forward to building relationships across the campus that will help advance the work of the enrollment division and support the mission of Colorado College. My family and I are excited to return to the West and will enjoy living in Colorado Springs, contributing to our new community, and taking advantage of outdoor adventures in the breathtaking Rockies.”
Cabasco holds a B.A. from Whitman College in Physics and an M.A. in International Studies from the University of Washington with an emphasis on Chinese Studies. After his undergraduate years, he also lived and taught English in China. Born in Vietnam, Cabasco also lived in the Philippines and Nigeria before immigrating to the U.S.
As the Vice President for Enrollment, Cabasco will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the college's enrollment strategy, including recruitment, admissions, financial aid, and enrollment marketing. He will work closely with the admissions team to continue attracting top-tier students who embody the college's commitment to academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and social responsibility.
Cabasco will replace Mark Hatch, who is retiring at the end of this academic year after serving in the role for 22 years and whose contributions will be celebrated before he retires.