Stephanie Caruso

• Behind-the-scenes backbone
• Data wrangler
• Student experience strategist

Stephanie helps to keep the wheels turning behind the scenes for the Student Affairs team at CMU-Silicon Valley. From student enrollment data to special projects (and just about everything in between), she’s a go-to collaborator for all things processes, spreadsheets, and the “can you help with this?” moments that help make a campus run.

Most excited about:

Stephanie finds joy in connecting the dots — between student or campus goals and planning, between messy systems and clear solutions, and between a student’s story and the structures that support it. Whether she’s streamlining a process or helping someone see a new path forward, she’s energized by work that brings clarity, care, and forward momentum to the student experience.

Fun facts and random musings:

Stephanie’s sourdough starter is named Sia, and yes, she makes a mean waffle. She's a trail runner with a few marathons under her belt and a mom of two, always chasing a good playground or nature trail. She’s a sucker for good matcha lattes with oat milk, anything from Dandelion Chocolate, and somehow manages to crochet and sew but firmly draws the line at knitting. Ask her about her current read, barefoot running, or why she’ll never stop watching Selling Sunset. Just be warned — she’ll probably turn the conversation around and start asking you all the questions.

Professional bio:

Stephanie Caruso is a seasoned student affairs professional with over a decade of experience supporting graduate students across academic advising, student engagement, and operations. She began her career in course and enrollment management, supporting faculty and advising student organizations, before transitioning into academic advising, where she helped students align their academic choices with their goals and values. At Yale University, she served as Assistant Director of Student Affairs, working closely with student organizations and councils to plan events, navigate challenges, and build inclusive communities. Returning to CMU-Silicon Valley, she served as Associate Director of Student Affairs, leading efforts in enrollment systems, student support, onboarding, and cross-campus collaboration. Now in her role as Student Affairs Consultant, she focuses on student data strategy and process design. Stephanie holds a B.S. in Kinesiology and an M.Ed. in Student Affairs Administration. She is known for her calm clarity, strategic execution, and ability to make even the most complex systems feel simple and student-centered.