INFORMATION FOR
Every month during the academic year, we will spotlight a different member of the WP faculty or staff who plays a powerful role in student success.
Name: Lisa Brenenson
Title: University Registrar
Years at WP: 32
Tell us about yourself: I grew up in Staten Island, NY, and have one younger sister. I earned my BA from Brooklyn College and an MA in Higher Education from William Paterson University. I met my husband, Aryeh, while working in the registrar’s office at Brooklyn College. We’ve been married for 31 years and live in Fair Lawn, NJ. I’m a proud parent of four, Helene, Julia, RJ, and Harris. One daughter holds an MFA from William Paterson; two are in high school, and one is in college. Outside of work, I love cooking, baking, and spending time with family and chosen family. We have an open-door policy, stop by on a Friday night for fresh cookies! You’ll often find my treats in the office.
Describe your role on campus: Since I began in 1993, the Registrar’s Office has transformed dramatically. As the official custodian of student academic records, we maintain these records from initial enrollment through a lifetime, our archives even include documents dating back to the college’s founding in 1855!
In this role, I work closely with students, faculty, and staff to ensure accuracy, compliance, and transparency while supporting students on their journey to graduation. Although we enforce academic policies (not create them), we strive to make every process smooth and student-centered.
The Registrar’s Office has grown far beyond its traditional role of handling paperwork and schedules. Today, we are a strategic partner in shaping how learning is documented, recognized, and shared throughout a student’s educational journey and even beyond. From transcripts to innovative ways of capturing achievements, we ensure that every milestone matters and is celebrated.
Ultimately, our work is about more than paperwork. It’s about helping students achieve their goals and turning administrative processes into meaningful experiences that support lifelong learning. Being part of a team that celebrates student success makes this work truly exciting.
A defining moment at WP: Seeing our student assistants thrive after graduation. Many pursue advanced degrees from MSWs to PhDs and some even build careers in higher education. Watching their success and knowing we contributed to their journey is incredibly rewarding.
Favorite part about your job: Welcoming incoming freshmen and then seeing them walk across the stage at Commencement. it’s a full-circle moment that never gets old. I also enjoy collaborating with other areas across campus to make the student experience seamless and rewarding. Additionally, I love working with such an amazing team in the Registrar’s Office and colleagues within Enrollment Management, which makes coming to work every day something I truly look forward to.
Fun fact: I have an impressive rainbow of Bath & Body Works hand soaps displayed on a cabinet in the office, which we use in the bathroom to brighten our day. Plus, I keep a stash of candy in my office, so there’s always a sweet reason for people to stop by and visit.
Finish this sentence: "WP is a powerhouse of transformation." We welcome everyone from first-generation college students to adult learners and graduate students. We help them reach their goals. WP truly changes lives in meaningful ways, opening doors and shaping futures every day.
