Meet the Staff

List of 8 members.

• 

  Alexis Sommers 

  Director of Admission and Financial Aid

  Trinity College - B.A.
  New York University - M.A.

  Bio

  Contact: asommers@newarka.edu
  
  Bio:
  Alexis Sommers joined Newark Academy in 2017, bringing with her a wide range of experiences in both education and marketing. In her role, Ms. Sommers oversees all aspects of the admission and financial aid processes, as well as the day-to-day operations of the department. Prior to joining NA, Ms. Sommers worked as the Associate Director of Admission at Léman Manhattan, taught elementary school within the New York City Public School System and worked at a number of New York-based advertising and marketing agencies.
  
• 

  Keith Fischer 

  Director of Enrollment Management

  Dickinson College - B.A.

  Bio

  Contact: admission@newarka.edu
  
  Bio:
  A seasoned admission professional, Keith Fischer joined Newark Academy after serving as the associate director of admission at Dickinson College (Carlisle, PA) for the past five years. Keith began his career at Dickinson in 2011 as the assistant director of admissions. Prior to his work as an admission professional, he worked for nine years for the Philadelphia Eagles and the National Football League. Keith holds a B.A. in Political Science from Dickinson College. Outside of school, Keith enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with his wife Tara and his son Luke.
• 

  Kristen Johnson 

  Associate Director of Admission

  Lafayette College - B.A.

  Bio

  Contact: kjohnson@newarka.edu
  
  Bio:
  Kristen Johnson joined the Office of Admission and Enrollment Management in December 2020. A seasoned admission professional, she spent the prior 26 years working both full-time and part-time in the Admissions Office at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa. In her role as Associate Director of Admission, Kristen plays an active role in applicant interviews, communications, event planning, the Parent Ambassador Program, as well as the Committee review process. She graduated with a BA in International Affairs and French, with a minor in Spanish from Lafayette College.
  
• 

  Troy Burki 

  Database Manager

  New Mexico State University - B.A.
  New Mexico State University - M.A.

  Bio

  Contact: tburki@newarka.edu
  
  Bio:
  Troy Burki joined Newark Academy and the Admissions Office in 2020, after having worked for five years as a teacher and technology coordinator at the Parkmont School in Washington, D.C. Prior to this, Troy taught for three years as part of the Teach for America program in Stuttgart, Arkansas. Troy earned his B.A. and M.A. degrees in Sociology, along with a Minor in Management, from New Mexico State University, where he was also part of the baseball team. Outside of work, Troy loves spending time with his children, Liam and Nora, and his wife, Kailin.
  
• 

  Allyson Richardson 

  Admission Associate

  Bucknell University - B.A.
  Columbia University - M.A.

  Bio

  Contact: arichardson@newarka.edu
  
  Bio:
  Allyson Richardson joined Newark Academy in August 2020, beginning in the Dean of Students Office before moving to the Admission Office in June 2021. In her role as Admission Associate, Allyson acts as the first point of contact and resource for prospective families during the school search and admission process. She plays an active part in applicant interviews, the Committee review process, and managing the Student Ambassador Program. Prior to Newark Academy, Allyson worked at Christie’s for six years, most recently as Business Manager for Commercial Finance. Allyson holds a B.A in Art History from Bucknell as well as an M.A. in Art History from Columbia University.
  
• 

  Anita McKenna-Murphy 

  Front Office Manager

  Saint Peter's University - B.S.
  Boston University - Undergraduate Liberal Arts

  Bio

  Contact: amckennamurphy@newarka.edu
  
  Bio:
  Anita McKenna-Murphy joined Newark Academy in 2016 with a diverse background in education and the arts. Mrs. Murphy enjoys welcoming all the members of the NA community and is known to keep things running smoothly for everyone on campus.
  
• 

  Edward Pursell 

  Faculty Admission Officer & English Teacher

  Kenyon College - B.A.
  Montclair State University - M.A.Ed.

  Bio

  Contact: epursell@newarka.edu
• 

  Maaike Kuen 

  Administrative Assistant

  Bio

  Contact: mkuen@newarka.edu