New interim director of admission brings an alumna’s perspective and a forward-looking approach to recruitment, technology and the student experience
Hampton, Va (September 25, 2026) – For Kelsey Rountree ’15, introducing prospective students to Hampton University is personal.
The Atlanta native first came to Hampton as a student, earning a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism with a minor in marketing. After beginning her career as an on-air news reporter and multimedia journalist with WALB News 10 in Albany, Georgia, Rountree returned to her alma mater in 2018 as an admission counselor. She advanced through roles of increasing responsibility, most recently serving as assistant director of admission.
Effective July 1, 2026, Rountree was appointed interim director of admission, overseeing Hampton’s undergraduate recruitment and admission initiatives. Her priorities include strengthening student recruitment, continuing to attract high-quality students, enhancing campus visits, expanding digital engagement, and incorporating artificial intelligence to improve operational efficiency.
“Hampton is rooted in tradition, and that is part of what makes our University so distinctive,” Rountree said. “Students experience a nurturing and intimate environment here. Our waterfront campus provides a beautiful setting that is uniquely Hampton, but what makes Hampton feel like home is the personal care and sense of community that students experience here.”
Rountree believes that care should begin with a student’s first interaction with Hampton, whether through a campus visit, recruitment event or conversation with an admission counselor. She is focused on building an admissions team defined by dedication, accountability, enthusiasm, a strong work ethic, and importantly, a genuine commitment to supporting students and families throughout the admission process.
“The admission experience is often a student’s first relationship with Hampton, and every interaction matters” Rountree said. “We look for intangible qualities in our students – good character, leadership potential, integrity, and a desire to contribute to our community – and those same qualities should define our admission team.”
Rountree is also advancing a more digitally focused recruitment experience. Plans include incorporating AI into admission operations to streamline processes; a new 3-D digital campus tour has recently rolled out; and the office is enhancing the in-person tour experience. Hampton has also changed the essay portion of its application to a video essay, giving prospective students another way to share their personalities, experiences and aspirations.
“Technology should help us become more efficient without losing the personal connection that defines Hampton,” Rountree said. “We want to meet students where they are while giving them an authentic understanding of what it means to become part of the Hampton community.”
As an alumna, Rountree brings a personal connection to the work and a commitment to introducing a new generation of scholars to the academic excellence, leadership development and traditions of Hampton University.
About Hampton University
Founded in 1868, Hampton University is one of the nation’s strongest Historically Black Colleges and Universities and a prestigious Carnegie R2-designated research institution. For more than 150 years, Hampton has prepared world-ready leaders of character and consequence through a distinctive educational experience grounded in academic excellence, leadership, innovation, and service.
Home to students from 44 states and 32 countries and territories, the University is nationally recognized for groundbreaking research in atmospheric science, cancer research, cybersecurity, marine and environmental science, and other disciplines that address society’s most pressing challenges. With an annual economic impact of $515 million across the Commonwealth of Virginia, Hampton continues to advance discovery, strengthen communities, and prepare graduates to lead with purpose in an increasingly interconnected world. Learn more at www.hamptonu.edu.
