Mercedes Rivero is the Assistant Dean for Admissions at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS), where she has led strategic enrollment and student services initiatives for over two decades. In her current role, she leads the medical school’s admissions operations, supports pathway program development, and works collaboratively with faculty and campus leadership to attract and support students who reflect the school’s mission. She has helped secure over $3.3 million in federal and state funding to expand educational opportunity and has contributed significantly to institutional priorities, including accreditation and the NJMS–RWJMS integration. Mercedes is nationally active in medical education, having served as Chair of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Northeast Group on Student Affairs. She is a mentor to colleagues and students and is the recipient of multiple honors, including teaching and leadership awards from Rutgers and national student organizations. Mercedes earned her Master’s in Higher Education – Student Affairs Administration from Drexel University and her Bachelor’s degree in Health & Human Services from Syracuse University. Fluent in Spanish and grounded in service, she is a collaborative and values-driven leader committed to excellence in education.