Undergraduate Admissions

NYU Abu Dhabi Admissions is responsible for the recruitment of students and the evaluation of applications for undergraduate programs at NYU Abu Dhabi. The team is based across three continents, with staff based in NYU Abu Dhabi, NYU New York, and NYU London. Additionally, the team directs and supports the work of the Institute of International Education, who conduct global outreach on behalf of NYU Abu Dhabi. The admissions team is supported by marketing and operations teams based in New York, as well as enrollment management and admissions leadership.

The admissions team works to attract and recruit students with the academic excellence and global outlook needed to succeed at NYU Abu Dhabi and beyond. In addition to conducting extensive outreach throughout the year, the team supports the local community by hosting events, workshops, and programming on campus for prospective students and students looking to better understand the landscape of global higher education. The team is also responsible for the evaluation and selection of applicants, including the planning and execution of on-site candidate weekends.

Leader Profile

Valentina Lopez

Executive Director, Recruitment, Admissions, and Financial Aid

Valentina Lopez serves as the Executive Director of Admissions, Recruitment, and Financial Aid at NYU Abu Dhabi, providing strategic leadership for the university’s global enrollment operations. She oversees NYUAD’s partnership with the Institute of International Education, leading recruitment efforts both within the UAE and internationally. Valentina manages a globally distributed admissions team spanning the United States, Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Central Asia, advancing NYUAD’s commitment to building one of the most diverse and representative student bodies in the world.

With over a decade of experience in international student recruitment and senior enrollment leadership, Valentina specializes in highly selective admissions, global mobility, and high-performance team development. Prior to joining NYUAD, she served as Associate Registrar and Director of Admissions and Student Recruitment at the University of Toronto, driving large-scale internationalization initiatives.

Valentina holds a Master of Education (MEd) and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History (HBA) from the University of Toronto. A frequent speaker at international conferences, she is a recognized expert in recruitment strategy and the future of higher education.

Key People