Lauren Wright, director of undergraduate recruitment in Pitt’s Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, is leaving the University for a job at the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh.

Wright (Business ’12, Education ’14G, ’21G) has been at Pitt Admissions for 10 years, including five in her current role.

Since she stepped into the role five years ago, Pitt’s incoming classes have been the most diverse in the University’s history, which she credits to her team. Since 2012, the number of new first-year undergraduate students of color enrolling on the Pittsburgh campus increased by 147 percent, or 1,157 students.

“Lauren reshaped the way the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid seeks out opportunities for Pitt to become a more inclusive community,” said Molly Swagler, executive director of enrollment outreach in the office.

Wright also worked in the office as an admission and financial aid counselor.

In 2017, Wright helped found the Pittsburgh Admissions Collaboration, a partnership between Pitt, the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) and Pittsburgh Public Schools to create a pathway to higher education. The program is designed to increase matriculation, retention and degree attainment by addressing affordability issues.

This summer, Wright will become vice president of people strategy at the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families of children with special needs.