"She has participated extensively in national meetings and seminars," said Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid William R. Fitzsimmons '67. "This was one of the things people [on the search committee] felt they were interested in."

In addition to her work at HLS, Donohue has also served as a first-year proctor and academic adviser in addition to being a Harvard parent. McGrath-Lewis said that while Harvard connections were certainly not enough to secure the position, they are helpful.

"For one thing it means she understands and appreciates the College," she said. "She understands the premium we place on need-blind admissions on one hand and need-based financial aid on the other hand."

McGrath-Lewis explained Harvard's financial aid as "unusual" and said that Donohue will be better equipped to understand it.

"We don't do merit awards," she said. "We regard financial aid as a tool in our strategy for enrollment."

Donohue counts being a Harvard parent as one of the advantages she'll have in her job. She can truly relate to those she will be working with.

"As a parent I bring to the office a deeper understanding of the sacrifices families make," Donohue said. "There is nothing like experiencing something at the personal level to understand what people go through."