Marilee Jones

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Marilee Jones

Born June 12, 1951
Education B.S. 1973, The College of Saint Rose
Occupation Former Dean of Admissions, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Spouse Steven R. Bussolari
Children Nora

Marilee Jones (born June 12, 1951) is a former dean of admissions at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the co-author of the popular guide to the college admission process, Less Stress, More Success: A New Approach to Guiding Your Teen Through College Admissions and Beyond (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2006).[1] The book received critical acclaim and Jones was featured on CBS, National Public Radio and in USA Today, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal,[2] and The Boston Globe.[3] Jones resigned from her position in 2007 when it became known that she had lied on her resume. The Times characterized Jones's earlier prestige as "the guru of the movement to tame the college-admissions frenzy."[4] The Boston Globe called her, "The most celebrated and outspoken admissions dean in America."[5]

Jones was first hired by MIT as an entry level Admissions Officer in 1979, being later promoted to Associate Director of Admissions, and she served as the Dean of Admissions on an interim basis between May 1997 until January 1998 when she was appointed to the position full-time.[6]

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[edit] Resignation

On April 23, 2007, Jones resigned her position after the MIT administration learned that she had fabricated her academic degrees from Albany Medical College, Union College and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute when she first applied for an entry-level admissions officer position with MIT in 1979[7]. MIT administrators were alerted to the discrepancy on or around April 16, 2007. MIT has not released the name of the person or persons who alerted them about Jones's background.[7] Jones issued a statement on the MIT web site, in which she admitted to wrongdoing:

"I misrepresented my academic degrees when I first applied to MIT 28 years ago and did not have the courage to correct my resume when I applied for my current job or at any time since."[8]

A spokesperson from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute reported on April 26, 2007 that Jones attended the institute as a "part-time, non-matriculating student" from September 1974 to June 1975 and did not receive a degree.[9] Spokespeople from Union College and from Albany Medical College both reported that there are no records of Jones ever attending either institution.[9] On May 2, 2007 it was reported that she had actually earned a bachelor's degree in biology from The College of Saint Rose in 1973, though she did not list that degree when applying for her first job at MIT or when being considered for subsequent promotions.[10]

[edit] Awards

In 2001, Jones received MIT's Excellence Award for Leading Change, which recognized Jones' leadership as dean of admissions. An excerpt from the presentation reads:

Because of Marilee's leadership and passion, the message of: "science in the service of mankind," now resonates among generations of students. She helps students understand that they have a responsibility as members of society, to utilize their skills and talents to make a difference in the world. Marilee has also been visionary in her approach towards admissions strategies and processes, incorporating faculty and alumni perspectives, and the concerns and interests of prospective students and their parents.[11]

Jones also received MIT's Gordon Y Billard Award, "for special service of outstanding merit performed for the Institute,"[12] in 2006.

[edit] Personal

Jones is married to Steven R. Bussolari, an engineer at MIT's Lincoln Laboratory. They live in Concord, Massachusetts and have one college-aged daughter.[13] [14][1][6] While still holding the position of Dean of Admissions at MIT, Jones delivered a speech at her daughter's 2006 commencement from Middlesex School, advising the graduates to “create your own reality” and “give out what you want to get back.” [15]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Less Stress, More Success description from Amazon.com
  2. ^ Jones' MIT profile
  3. ^ Bombardieri, Marcella. "What's your pleasure? MIT admissions dean looking for students who enjoy life", Boston Globe, March 11, 2004. Retrieved on 2007-04-26. 
  4. ^ Lewin, Tamar. "Dean of Admissions at M.I.T. Resigns", The New York Times, April 26, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-04-26. 
  5. ^ Marcella Bombardieri and, Tracy Jan (2007-04-27). MIT dean quits over fabricated credentials. The Boston Globe. Retrieved on 2007-04-28.
  6. ^ a b "Jones is new dean of admissions", MIT News Office, December 17, 1997. Retrieved on 2007-04-27. 
  7. ^ a b Semenkovich, Nick. "Admissions Dean Resigns After Lying on Résumé", MIT Tech, April 27, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-04-27. 
  8. ^ Statement of Marilee Jones, MIT website
  9. ^ a b Sullivan, Brian K. (2007-04-26). MIT Dean of Admissions Resigns, Citing False Resume (Update 5). Bloomberg.com. Retrieved on 2007-04-26.
  10. ^ Bombardieri, Marcella (2007-05-02). Ex-MIT dean never cited actual degree. The Boston Globe. Retrieved on 2007-05-02.
  11. ^ MIT Excellence Awards 2001. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2001). Retrieved on 2007-04-30.
  12. ^ Awards Convocation. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2006). Retrieved on 2007-04-30.
  13. ^ Bussolari named to Daniel Webster College Board of Trustees. Daniel Webster College (2006). Retrieved on 2007-04-26.
  14. ^ At MIT, a war on admission terror - Institute of over-achievers becomes Marilee Jones’s launchpad for campaign to reduce student stress. The Telegraph (2006-09-06). Retrieved on 2007-04-29.
  15. ^ Middlesex School Graduation 2006. Middlesex School (2006=06-02). Retrieved on 2007-04-30.