MCC Hires New Dean of Enrollment

Middlesex Community College is excited to announce Kayla Caron as the new Dean of Enrollment. Most recently the Registrar at Middlesex, she is passionate about helping community college students on their journeys. In her new role, Caron looks forward to bringing together what she has learned throughout her career to improve the student experience at MCC.

“At the student level, that can mean ensuring information about financial aid is communicated clearly, expanding access to advising, improving enrollment processes, or creating services that help students navigate college more successfully,” Caron said. “Every barrier we remove and every process we improve helps students focus on achieving their goals. What I love most about my role is that I get to learn from our students every day. Their resilience, determination and commitment to their goals inspires me and helps guide the work we do at MCC.”

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As MCC’s Dean of Enrollment, Caron leads a team of professionals dedicated to student success. Providing strong customer service, the team guides students through every aspect of attending college, including applying, registering for classes, and completing their applications for financial aid, among other steps.

Through strategic thinking and collaboration, Caron helps shape initiatives that make it easier for students to complete degrees, continue their education, and enter the workforce. Committed to hearing and learning from the student perspective, her goal is to continue to make MCC more responsive, accessible and student-centered.

“At MCC, we are committed to listening, learning, and continuously improving,” Caron said. “The earlier we can connect with students and hear their needs, the better positioned we are to support their success. When we hear from students early in the semester, we can respond more quickly, address challenges before they become barriers, and make adjustments that improve the experience for everyone.”

A first-generation college student, Caron knows firsthand the challenge of navigating higher education. In college, she explored different areas of interest before discovering a passion for psychobiology. Graduating with a bachelor’s in the field from the University of New England, she later earned a master’s in public health which strengthened her understanding of how systems, policies and education can impact people’s lives.

Caron began her career in higher education working as an administrative assistant in the Registrar’s Office at the University of New England. Learning every aspect of operation, she advanced in her position to become Manager of Registration, then Assistant Registrar of Technology. To expand her leadership experience, she went on to become Associate Registrar at the Boston University School of Public Health before starting at MCC as Registrar.

“Looking back, my educational path taught me that success isn't always a straight line, and that lesson continues to shape both my leadership style and my commitment to helping students find their own path,” Caron said. “Today, I feel incredibly fortunate to do work that combines problem-solving, service, and the opportunity to help students change the trajectory of their lives through education.”

Moving away from private institutions to a community college was intentional for Caron. At MCC, she works with employees and community members who challenge and inspire each other every day, as well as share a mission of serving students looking to transform their lives. She cannot imagine doing this work anywhere else.

“On my hardest days, taking time to connect with students reminds me why this work matters,” she said. “Hearing their stories, celebrating their successes, and supporting them through challenges reignites my passion for higher education every time.”