Isabel "Issa" DiSciullo, Associate Dean for J.D. Admissions and Financial Aid
Can you share a little bit about your career path? What was your journey to William & Mary Law?
I began my career in undergraduate admissions in 1994 before switching to law admissions in 2001. I’ve had the privilege of working at colleges, universities, and law schools across the East Coast. While I enjoyed my time in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states, I’m grateful to have had the chance to move south for a slightly slower pace and warmer weather and still continue my meaningful law school admissions career.
What is your favorite part about working in admissions here at W&M?
Working with and interacting with the students has been my greatest joy!
Do you have any advice for prospective students as they go through the application process?
Don’t go it alone! Know that we are here to help you, so please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions and concerns!
What’s your favorite part about living in Williamsburg?
The community… oh, and Virginia Peanuts! 😊
Where are you from originally?
I was born in the Philippines and raised on a small island in the Pacific called Saipan. I came to the mainland (Boston, to be exact) when I was 18 for college. This explains why my office is always 80 degrees… you can take the girl out of the island, but you can’t take the island out of the girl.
What do you do for fun?
I have been dancing all my life, so when I’m not at work, you’ll likely find me on the competition dance floor. I began my dance journey with the Polynesian dances of the islands, before jumping into Ballroom and Latin. Williamsburg has introduced me to a new style—West Coast Swing—which has become my new love!
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Korey Mercer, Senior Assistant Dean for J.D. Admissions
Can you share a little bit about your career path? What was your journey to William & Mary Law?
I started my journey and found my passion for legal education after completing law school. After a few years at my alma mater, NCCU School of Law, I transitioned to William & Mary Law School to further develop my passion in law school admissions.
What is your favorite part about working in admissions here at W&M?
My favorite part about working in admissions is assisting students with navigating the law school admissions process. The great thing about working at W&M is that the admissions team is dedicated to student success in the process and will go above and beyond in ensuring their support throughout the entire process.
Do you have any advice for prospective students as they go through the application process?
You can do this! Be confident in who you are and what you have to offer the law school community and the legal profession. It is important to give yourself grace and know this application process can be accomplished with diligence, persistence, and hard work.
What’s your favorite part about living in Williamsburg?
My favorite part about living in Williamsburg is the convenience and the number of things to do. Everything is so close by, and there’s always something going on to enjoy the scenery and community.
Where are you from originally?
I was born and raised in Durham, North Carolina.
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Jaime Welch-Donahue, Assistant Dean for J.D. Admissions
Can you share a little bit about your career path? What was your journey to William & Mary Law?
My journey to W&M Law Admissions started in higher education communications at UNC-Chapel Hill and here at W&M Law.
What is your favorite part about working in admissions here at W&M?
I really enjoy talking with prospective students. I sincerely believe this is a great place to study law. We have everything in place to set our students up for success—exceptional professors, great clinic and externship opportunities, and caring staff who are here to support and encourage them.
Do you have any advice for prospective students as they go through the application process?
There is only one you—be proud of your unique experiences, interests, and accomplishments. Make sure to share them in your application. And, as "Ted Lasso" fans well know: Believe!
What’s your favorite part about living in Williamsburg?
I love to walk through Colonial Williamsburg. It’s only a couple blocks from the Law School, and staff and students get free passes. It’s got history and architecture, and is so green with many trees and small gardens.
Where are you from originally?
I was born on Long Island, but my hometown is Fitchburg, Massachusetts. There are a lot of fun facts about Fitchburg. For example, if you are a fan of the sci-fi graphic novel and series "Falling Skies," you’ll recall there is a battle at Fitchburg between the Skitters (aliens) and human militia.
What do you do for fun?
Whether on Zoom or in person, I love spending time with my kids and son-in-law, extended family, and a circle of wonderful friends. I enjoy vintage and thrift shopping (especially for items from the 60s and 70s).
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Helen Antinori, Applications Coordinator
Can you share a little bit about your career path? What was your journey to William & Mary Law?
After deciding college was not something that interested me, I worked with tourist promotion at the Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and then tried my hand as a pharmacy technician. I started working in the law school admissions office in 1987, and have been here ever since.
What is your favorite part about working in admissions here at W&M?
I enjoy the applicants. I like to be a source for them to ask questions about their application. Maybe it will be just a little reassurance from me or a smile on my face… I like to think I have helped and will help them in some small way.
Do you have any advice for prospective students as they go through the application process?
They should speak about themselves… what makes them who they are, their interests, their dreams. Oh, and proofread, proofread, proofread! 😊
What’s your favorite part about living in Williamsburg?
It’s my home. Always has been. I grew up here!
Where are you from originally?
I came here from Hampton, Virginia, when I was only seven years old and never moved away.
What do you do for fun?
I’m a homebody. I enjoy being at home, reading, sitting on the porch and early morning walks through Colonial Williamsburg.
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Matthew Hedrick, Admissions Specialist
Can you share a little bit about your career path? What was your journey to William & Mary Law?
My path is a little all over the place, as I like to say—from working in community colleges in libraries and special projects to arriving at W&M Law as an alumnus working on events, and now law admissions. Each of these experiences, as I like to say, has given me vantage points to see the beginning, middle, and end of the trajectory more efficiently so I can be more relatable throughout the life cycle, from students applying to graduation.
What is your favorite part about working in admissions here at W&M?
My goal is to help students understand the technicalities of a graduate program while contrasting it to listening to their story and understanding their exploration of self, who they are, their passions/dreams, and what they want to gain from the program. That is my favorite thing about admissions. I love being personable to students and being excited for them in this self-discovery, which I think they will see when they interact with me.
Do you have any advice for prospective students as they go through the application process?
- Be you! Be your natural, authentic self as you apply and write how you, as a person, with all your talents, abilities, and passions, will be an asset to our community. I think applicants forget that because they want to impress the admissions committee and lose their voice. I want to hear your voice and story because your unique story makes you.
- Read the directions carefully and thoroughly.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions; I love to say to everyone I meet, please pepper me with questions because asking questions means you want to ensure you are in the right direction.
What’s your favorite part about living in Williamsburg?
I appreciate the sense of past and present while intertwining with this great mixture of a small college town in the 21st century. Williamsburg has certainly grown over the years, but it has respected a lot of its traditional roots to fit who we are today.
Where are you from originally?
I grew up in Old Town Alexandria and the Belle Haven area of Northern Virginia. I moved to Williamsburg in 2004 and haven’t left. I feel like I have lived here longer because it used to be our weekend escape while growing up, so I feel that have grown up here, so to speak.
What do you do for fun?
I do a mixture of things, from working with my Alumni Chapter at Christopher Newport University, embracing my love of interior design through antiquing all over the Virginia coast, and working on my circa-1790 colonial that was rebuilt in 1986 piece by piece from Farmville, Virginia.
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The weather is getting cooler and the leaves are turning red, which can only mean one thing: we’re in a new law school application cycle! This year, William & Mary Law School has welcomed a new team of admissions professionals who are eager to get to know prospective students over the coming months. The team is eager for you to get to know them, too! Click on the links below to learn more about our fabulous admissions team—and don’t forget, if you have any questions about your application or the application process there are multiple ways to get in touch!