September 26, 2022
Sarah Tortella inaugural director of graduate recruitment for Graduate School
Sarah Tortella has been appointed the Graduate School’s inaugural director of graduate recruitment. This appointment is the first step toward creating a graduate recruitment unit in the Graduate School.
As the director of this new recruitment unit, Tortella will work collaboratively with academic units at all Kansas State University campuses, providing support and working with Graduate School team members to develop a graduate strategic recruitment and admission plan that aligns with the university’s strategic enrollment management plan. She will lead implementation of the graduate strategic enrollment management plan by coordinating tactics with academic programs’ recruitment efforts using data-informed analysis and by implementing best recruitment and admission practices that also support diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging efforts.
Tortella’s career spans 18 years in engagement, recruitment, and talent acquisition across government, nonprofit, and private sectors. She most recently served as the program manager for recruitment and admissions for K-State's Master of Agribusiness program in the agricultural economics department. She was responsible for the recruitment and admissions processes for the Master of Agribusiness Heritage Cohort on the Manhattan campus and the Master of Agribusiness Animal Health Cohort at K-State Olathe.
Tortella earned her Bachelor of Arts in telecommunications at Ball State University and her commission as a U.S. Army signal officer through Ball State University’s ROTC program. She served in the military for 11 years in the U.S. Air Force and the Army as an enlisted service member and commissioned officer. She is currently enrolled in K-State's master's program in sociology.
"I am looking forward to using my diverse work and educational experience to support the university’s strategic enrollment management plan," Tortella said. "I am eager to work collaboratively with the academic programs and units across our campuses to develop and implement a strategic, data-informed graduate recruitment plan. I am also excited to work with the talented and dedicated staff in the Graduate School."