Meet the Counselors & Staff

Jon Bolles (he/him/his)
Admissions Counselor (for last names beginning with E-K)
jbolles@massart.edu • 617.879.7680

Jon is an admissions counselor and practicing painter. He represents MassArt in Massachusetts (Hampden & Hampshire County) as well as in Maine and Pennsylvania. He is excited to introduce students to the art school experience and brings his enthusiasm for art into each classroom visit and portfolio review.  

Meet with Jon

Ryan Carroccino (he/him/his)
Admissions Counselor (for last names beginning with A-D)
rmcarroccino@massart.edu • 617.879.7227

Ryan is an admissions counselor representing MassArt in Essex County in Massachusetts as well as in New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont. Prior to joining the admissions team, Ryan was on the other side of the admissions process as a proud alumnus of MassArt, where he studied Illustration. Ryan keeps an active multi-media studio practice with a focus on painting, and he loves connecting over art, film, and all things creative. 

Meet with Ryan

Corey Corcoran (he/him/his)
Associate Director of Admissions
corey.corcoran@massart.edu • 617.879.7239

Corey is the in-office admissions counselor at MassArt. He conducts portfolio reviews and information sessions with prospective students and assists with various marketing and recruitment efforts for the College. He is also a proud MassArt alumnus with an active artistic practice that includes drawing, illustration, and animation. 

Meet with Corey

Marissa Cote (she/her/hers)
Admissions Counselor (for last names beginning with R-Z)
mecote@massart.edu • 617.879.7229

Marissa is an admissions counselor and practicing artist. She represents MassArt in Middlesex County in Massachusetts as well as in Connecticut, Illinois, and Rhode Island. Marissa is a proud MassArt alumna of both the Studio for Interrelated Media and Fibers departments. She enjoys learning about students' artistic ideas and passions, and she loves weaving, color, and long conversations about conceptual art.

Carl Decoteau (he/him/his)
Admissions Assistant
cdecoteau@massart.edu • 617.879.7233 • 617.879.7234

Carl is the front desk administrative assistant at MassArt's Admissions Office. As the face of the office, he is the first point of contact for many prospective students. Carl enjoys working in an artistic environment and finds inspiration in assisting passionate applicants on their journey to achieve creative aspirations.

Shannon Gallagher (she/hers)
Transfer Admissions Counselor
sagallagher@massart.edu • 617.879.7231

Shannon’s primary focus on the Admissions team is supporting transfer students. As an enthusiastic alumna of MassArt (Photography and SIM), she’s thrilled to be returning to this creative community to help students find their path to accomplishing their education goals. Shannon is always excited to connect with students about their passions and loves to write, photograph, cook, and play outside.

Meet with Shannon

Bryana S. Gonzalez (she/they)
Associate Director of Visitor Experience
bsgonzalez@massart.edu • 617.879.7205

Bryana is passionate about MassArt’s mission to change the world through art education. Currently she manages the campus tour program, admissions events, and visitor experience. She loves meeting students and families from all walks of life, and enjoys creating opportunities for folks to learn more about the MassArt community both on and off campus. 

Gina Grenier (she/her/hers)
Director of Admissions
ggrenier@massart.edu • 617.879.7279

Gina has worked in the MassArt Admissions Office for 10 years and is also a proud alumna (‘04 Sculpture). She loves being a source of support and guidance for students as they navigate through the art school admissions world. She is a member of the Pottery Mill studio in Lowell, MA, where you can usually find her throwing clay and getting messy in her free time. She also has a slight obsession with cats.

Marcus Payzant (he/him/his)
Associate Director of Admissions
mpayzant@massart.edu • 617.879.7204

Marcus has worked in the MassArt admissions office for over five years. He travels frequently on behalf of the College and enjoys connecting with students and teachers. He earned a Masters of Fine Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin and maintains a consistent studio practice that focuses on drawing and painting.

Meet with Marcus

Anagha Prasan-Hanna (she/her/hers)
Admissions Counselor (for last names beginning with L-Q)
aprasan@massart.edu

Anagha is an admissions counselor representing MassArt in Suffolk County in Massachusetts as well as in California and New Jersey. Having experienced MassArt as an international student herself (Painting and Art Education), Anagha is excited to be back amidst new artists and ready to explore their life's ambitions with them. She maintains an active studio practice and keeps up with current conversations in the field. In her free time, she climbs rocks, lifts weights, and obsesses over her resident and foster cats.

Lauren Wilshusen (she/her/hers)
Dean of Admissions and Enrollment Management
lauren.wilshusen@massart.edu • 617.879.7226

Lauren Wilshusen has been at MassArt for over 19 years. She was drawn to MassArt because of its public mission, dedication to students, and her own love of the arts. Lauren's favorite part of her job is helping students and families navigate the admissions process.