Former AU Ambassador Makes University Admissions a Career

“AU helped shape me to be the person I am today and my closest friends and partner are a result of my time at AU.  I want to help ensure that prospective students see that huge ROI that I have had from my AU experience,” says Toby McChesney, SPA/BA ’02, when asked about his enthusiasm for American University.

As a student, Toby was involved with Amnesty International, Habitat for Humanity, and the GLBT office.  He served as an AU Ambassador and ran the program for two years, overseeing 125 student volunteers.  It was his love of giving campus tours that helped him realize he would have a career in Admissions.

From Tour Guide to Director of Admissions 

After graduating, Toby was offered a job in Admissions at AU, were he worked to promote the university to prospective students.  He found it natural to share how AU helped shape his life to soon-to-be freshman students. After fours years in the Office of Admissions, McChesney accepted a position as associate director of Executive MBA Admissions at Emory University, in Atlanta.  Currently he serves as director of admissions and student services for the Professional MBA Program at Georgia State University.  In his new role, he oversees all admissions events, marketing and recruitment efforts, student services, and admissions decisions for the program.  He has completed his Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration and is working to finish his PhD in Higher Educational Leadership.  

Giving Back to AU 

Toby and his partner, Jonathan Russell, SPA/BA ’99, recently made a generous gift of $5,000 to Campus Life in support of the recent renovations of the Mary Graydon Center.  He and Russell feel a strong connection to Campus Life because of their involvement with the office as students. They met at AU and because of their strong connection to the university they feel it is important to give back to their alma mater.  In fact, McChesney and Russell serve as admissions volunteers, hosting summer send offs to enrolled Atlanta freshman and representing AU at college fairs. “I will always be an AU Eagle,” says McChesney with pride.