Dear Members of the Georgetown University Community:
I write to announce that Charles Deacon (C’64, G’69), Dean of Admissions, who has served as dean of undergraduate admissions for fifty-four years, will take on a two-year role as Dean of Admissions Emeritus and Senior Advisor to the Interim Provost as of June 30, 2026.
Charlie Deacon earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Georgetown University and was the first in his family to attend college. Dean Deacon joined the admissions office in 1965 and became Dean of Admissions in 1972. Throughout his career, Dean Deacon played a central role in shaping the university’s admissions philosophy and positioning Georgetown as a highly selective university.
In 1978, he played a leading role in adopting a policy that ensured Georgetown would meet the full financial need of all eligible undergraduate students and that a student’s need for financial assistance would not negatively impact their chances of admission.
Over his tenure, Dean Deacon has been committed to prioritizing access for low-income, first-generation, and minority students to attend the university. He was a founder of the Community Scholars Program and the Georgetown Scholars Program, and also created the Alumni Admissions Program engaging alumni from all over the world. Beyond Admissions, Dean Deacon was a key participant in many important decisions over the years, including the selection in 1972 of John R. Thompson, Jr. as Head Men’s Basketball Coach.
Over Dean Deacon’s distinguished fifty-four year career, he was responsible for the review of over 800,000 applications and admitted nearly 170,000 students to the university.
Melissa Costanzi (I’95, S’18), Director of Undergraduate Admissions, will assume the role of Dean of Admissions on July 1, 2026. As Director of Admissions, Costanzi oversees the undergraduate admissions process and leads operations. She has served in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for more than 30 years.
Please join me in congratulating Dean Deacon on his transition to Dean of Admissions Emeritus and Senior Advisor to the Interim Provost. We are grateful for his leadership and stewardship of undergraduate admissions at Georgetown.
Sincerely,
Soyica Diggs Colbert
Interim Provost