Advisors

Hello! My name is Lasya, and I'm a Senior at New York University studying biochemistry and philosophy. I'm originally from Florida. At NYU, I'm part of a medical innovation club and a non-profit that raises awareness about organ donation. I'm also conducting research at the Weck Lab, which focuses on colloidal chemistry. In my free time, I love to do yoga, cook, and listen to music. Having recently been through the application process, I would love to answer any questions and offer any advice I can!

I graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from UC Davis in 2001. From there, I obtained my P.P.S. School counseling credential from CSU Stanislaus and a M.P.A. from University of Arizona's global campus. I have always had the desire to continue learning, which is why world travel and immersing myself in other countries has been a big part of my life. I have had the opportunity to live, work and travel through many different countries and have enjoyed volunteering for NGO's in both Bolivia and Cambodia. I have been a school counselor in California for over 15 years. My favorite part of the job is assisting students meet and exceed goals, especially when it comes to post-secondary planning. I look forward to being able to assist you with the entire process: planning, exploring, and applying for university, financial aid and scholarships. I've acquired a lot of knowledge over the years and I am excited to be a part of your journey!

Hello! I am a recent graduate of Northwestern University. There, I studied theater and religious studies among many other subjects including math and sociology. I was a leader in many campus organizations, including Northwestern Prison Education Program, Purple Crayon Players, and Steam Heat Dance Company.

College was fundamental in building me into the person I am today. I recognize how important this admissions process is, and how it can feel very daunting. I am dedicated to making the college application process accessible and even enjoyable! Having recently been through this process, and having attended a top ten college, I hold much experience and insight into the process from writing personal essays to researching colleges and student life.

I am open to students of all backgrounds. For students specifically interested in theater or the performing arts, I have experience in these specialized admissions processes including auditioning. In my free time, I love to sing, and one of my favorite college experiences was being involved in Northwestern’s Chapel Choir. I am thrilled to help you through this meaningful and exciting process!

I started my career in financial aid at the University of Dayton in 2003 while in graduate school. After graduating, I moved to Columbus, Ohio and worked for a college access program, supporting students in their college search process. I missed working on a college campus and took a position at The Ohio State University in financial aid. After three years, I took a position in the admissions office at OSU and worked my way up to assistant director where I oversaw hundreds of OSU alumni volunteers all over the country who recruited future students as well as the regional recruitment team. After a total of 8 years at OSU, I became the associate director of admission at Otterbein University. I spent 6 years at Otterbein, overseeing daily operations of the undergraduate recruitment team including international recruitment. Currently, I work for the largest public school district in the state of Ohio, supporting students interested in dual enrollment. I believe I bring a holistic approach to the admission process having had experience in both admission and financial aid. As a mother of three children, I bring patience and understanding to this role in a relatable way to both students and parents.

Hello! My name is Kate (she/her) and I am so thrilled to be a part of your college search and application process. I hold an honors B.A. from St. Lawrence University, where I graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2015. I majored in Government and double-minored in Education and African Studies. While in college, I worked as a campus ambassador/tour guide, studied abroad in Kenya, and served as the President of a community service organization focused on reducing food waste and fighting food insecurity on college campuses and in food deserts called the Campus Kitchens Project. After college, I spent two years working as an Admissions Counselor at Hiram College, a small liberal arts school in Northern Ohio, specializing in experiential learning. In 2018, I received my Master's in Education, with a concentration in Higher Education, from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. While completing this program, I worked as a Graduate Assistant in the Harvard Graduate School of Education Admissions Office, and served as an advisor to five university chapter of the Campus Kitchens Project. Below, please find some relevant examples from Master's coursework:

-Inventing the Future: Building Connections from School to Career
-The Economics of Higher Education
-The College Admissions Process: Practice, Policy and Research

-Data and Decision-Making in Higher Education

After receiving my Master's, I worked as an Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admission at Northeastern University for 3 years. I evaluated over 3,000 applications per cycle, participated in committee evaluations (Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision), and oversaw both domestic and international recruitment territories. While in this role, I also participated in a number of college readiness workshops and informational panels. I was also involved with the Torch Scholars program, a scholarship program for historically underrepresented, low-income students. Currently, I work full-time as the Assistant Director of College Counseling at a preparatory school in Boston. I am excited to use my professional experience from a variety of institutions, as well as my academic training to help students find their perfect college match!

Hello! My name is Kassandra Casillas and I received my B.A from Amherst College in 2015 where I double majored in psychology and history. In 2020, I graduated from The University of Southern California, USC, with my master’s degree in Educational Counseling. I have 8 years of experience working in college advising, admissions and financial aid. While at Amherst, I advised QuestBridge senior scholars through the college and financial aid application process. After graduating, I worked as a college advisor for the USC College Advising Corps. There I advised an annual caseload of approximately 650 seniors with every aspect of the college application process, from creating college lists, to editing personal statements, to submitting scholarship applications and comparing financial aid awards. I also have experience as a comprehensive review reader for first year college applications for The University of California, Irvine. I transitioned from working as a college advisor to now working in financial aid. I am currently the Assistant Director of Financial Aid at Scripps College where I assist families as they navigate paying for college. I’m excited to partner with students that are ready to make the commitment to higher education.

As a school counselor for 16 years, I have worked with students on all aspects of the college, scholarship and financial aid application processes. While my strength lies in supporting students with applications for Texas public and private universities, I have been fortunate to work with students as they navigate the application process for schools throughout the country.

Greetings Friends! I am currently serving as the Executive Director for Admissions Enrollment Strategy at Kallege in addition to my role here at CollegeAdvisor.com. Formerly I was in highly selective college admissions at Haverford College as the Assistant Director of Admissions & Access and Diversity Initiatives as well as served as a Dean for college counseling at high schools in the greater Los Angeles and New York City Areas! I am so excited to work with you!

Hi! My name is Kalea O. and I'm from Manassas, Virginia (DMV area). I grew up as the daughter of a single mom and I am a first-generation/limited-income (FGLI) college grad. I graduated from the University of Virginia in 2020 with a B.S. in Youth and Social Innovation (education) and minor in Urban and Environmental Planning (architecture). During my time as an undergrad, I became an advocate for change through storytelling, and influenced by my own and friends' lived experiences, my career has largely been defined by advocating for first-generation, limited-income, and other underserved students. After college, I served for two years with Americorps as a College Adviser for the Virginia College Advising Corps. My placement was at Charlottesville High School (go Black Knights!) where I worked with over 1,500+ students, from freshmen to seniors, regarding their college apps and career aspirations. My former students have been admitted to a varied and diverse range of institutions, such as Harvard, UPenn, The College of William & Mary, DigiPenn, NYU, Johns Hopkins, Virginia Tech, and several community colleges. I have experience working with students who have pursued a wide range of majors including the Arts and Humanities, Business, and STEM. My strengths as an Advisor lie in helping students explore and find their passions and then translate those experiences in their college essays. I also specialize in Virginia college applications and have familiarity with a wide range of Virginia high schools from NOVA to central and southern Virginia. I am also well versed in the scholarship and financial aid process; in 2021 I was awarded $800 by the State Council for Higher Education for ensuring my school had the highest FAFSA completion rates across the Commonwealth of Virginia (of high schools with 200+ seniors). In total I have helped students secure hundreds of thousands in scholarships, one student alone securing $100k. As an FGLI grad, my mission is to help decrease the cost of college for every student I work with! After my service with the College Advising Corps, I worked as a Presidential Fellow for the Office of the President at UVA. Now, in addition to advising through CollegeAdvisor.com, I am a Program Coordinator for Hoos First, a new team at the University of Virginia that provides support for FGLI students. When I'm not working with students, you'll find me hosting murder mystery dinners, running, playing thrilling games of Rummikub, and hanging out with my roommate--my cat Biggie Paws!

I hold a BA from the University of Georgia in International Affairs, a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Georgia, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan. Go Dawgs and Go Blue! I started my career in the education and nonprofit space where I built a solid foundation in supporting the academic and socio-emotional development of high school students. It was during this time where I gained a foundation in College Advising. I supported the college application process of high school students across all five boroughs of New York City. As a college advisor, I excel at helping students craft their college admissions brand making sure that their transcript, essays, extra-curriculars, and interactions with admissions officers sell who they are. And I do this while ensuring that the student feels supported, encouraged, and excited by what can be a stressful process. College advising ENERGIZES me and I've successfully supported application processes for students who matriculated into Ivy, Ivy +, and other top colleges across the US! Professionally, I have experience as a teacher, a college advisor, an MBA student, a consultant, and a corporate trainer. Over my career, I have had the opportunity to pivot, reinvent myself, and try new things often, and I want that for every student I work with. Together, we will explore all available pathways and work together to build a story and a personal brand that will unlock those opportunities. The college admissions process is the beginning of your personal odyssey, and I am so excited to work with you as you embark on this journey.

Currently a student at Harvard Business School, I have served roles in the United States Army, Private Equity, and Real Estate firms. I have extensive experience working with applicants interested in the military, MBA Programs, and Ivy League Schools.

Hello! My name is Jolie Chan (she/her) and I'm eager and thrilled to work together in your college search and application process. I hold a B.A. in Communication Sciences and a Minor in Business from the University of Connecticut, where I graduated in 2013. While in college, I joined the Student Union Board of Governors as the Concert Committee Co-chair, studied abroad in London, and subsequently worked at the Office of Study Abroad, connecting UConn's abroad students with current students. After undergrad, I remained close to the higher education space by volunteering as the Co-president of the Boston Chapter of the UConn Alumni Network, organizing events for expanded alumni connection in the Boston area. I also served as a Career Advisor & Mentor to current UConn undergraduate students. In 2015, I joined Northeastern University's Office of Undergraduate Admissions as an Admissions Counselor and worked my way up to a Senior Assistant Director role. Simultaneously, I earned my MEd in Higher Education Administration from Northeastern University in 2017. During my nearly 5 years at NU, I recruited in a variety of domestic territories in New England, New York, and the Mountain region, and evaluated applications across Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision pools. I have sat on panels and have hosted workshops on how to navigate a highly selective admissions process and on essay writing. I also had the unique experience of working with current undergraduate students through mentorship and advisory on their leadership & professional development. This gave me the opportunity to provide guidance to students beyond the admissions process, and I was able to gain perspective on what the full lifecycle of an undergraduate student and their college journey can look like. I'm excited to take your big dreams (even if you're still discovering what those are) and provide holistic insight into how you can create a thriving undergraduate experience. I'm excited to support you in putting your best foot forward in the college application process, and to watch your opportunities unfold. This is just the beginning!

I received my B.A. from Colby College in 2020 with a double major in Psychology and Education, and a minor in English. Currently, I am pursuing my Master's in Educational Policy Studies at Boston University. Upon graduating from Colby, I served for two years with College Advising Corps where I advised upperclassmen at Josiah Quincy Upper School to emphatic postsecondary success. While honing my advising techniques, I oversaw students' acceptances to an extensive list of elite colleges and universities, many of which were the first in JQUS' history. My work is driven by a fierce passion for guiding others to realize their fullest potential and the belief that the college admissions process can be an immeasurably valuable learning experience. With each advising relationship, I strive to not only help students gain admission to the schools of their dreams, but to cultivate the diligence, fidelity, and confidence to thrive in college and beyond.

Greetings! I am so excited to be on this journey with you! I really enjoy creating the college list, reading applications and of course finding a student's home for the next 4 years. I started in the world of admission at Utica University (Formerly Utica College). I traveled the entire country working with many different kinds of students and families. A few years later I transitioned to the role of Director of Diversity Recruitment at Hamilton College. It was an absolute joy to work with QuestBridge applicants, POSSE applicants and students enrolled in the Higher Educational Opportunity Program (HEOP). Currently, I am working at the illustrious Howard University where I am an in-house consultant for the admissions team. I truly believe that there is a college for every student. This journey is such an exciting time in a student’s life. I am so excited to take part and support you anyway I can.

Hi! My name is Joanna Cardenas, and I am really looking forward to working with you soon! I am a first-generation student from Los Angeles, CA. I hold a B.A. in African American Studies and Legal Studies from the University of California, Berkeley. Currently, I am a Ph.D. student in the African American Studies Department at Berkeley as well and have held many advising positions since my undergraduate career. Over the last 7 years, I have served many advisor and mentor positions since coming to the Bay Area. As an undergrad, I was a college advisor through East Bay Consortium, where I offered college advising to high school students across the East Bay. I assisted them with their college applications, scholarships, and financial aid applications. I was also a site director for a reading program at Berkeley, where I provided mentorship to elementary school children in Oakland, CA. Now as a graduate student, I serve as a mentor to many undergraduate students within African American Studies, Legal Studies, and abroad, to assist with graduate school applications and career advising. In addition to this role, I also serve as a graduate student mentor to students in the U.S. and internationally who are completing research projects for publication through Lumiere Education. As part of my praxis, holistic advising is essential to creating a space of care and support between my students and me. I really enjoy getting to know more about the students I work with, helping them navigate challenging, but rewarding processes, and overall, creating a system of support that will help students reflect on what they have accomplished and what's next! Outside of my advising positions, I have also engaged in a lot of community work myself and have expertise within the legal field. Through these experiences, I have provided mentorship to students inside and outside of UC Berkeley who are interested in connecting their academic trajectories to on-the-groundwork within communities through social, legal, policy, and academic work. I am very passionate about providing support for students in all stages of their academic careers! As the first person in my family to graduate from high school, graduate from college, and graduate school, I am very familiar with navigating the college process and the hardships that may arise as part of your own personal experiences. As a senior advisor, I want to be able to continue to provide holistic advising and mentorship that creates an inclusive and supportive environment for students to plan out their bright future!

I have a strong commitment to college education access, matriculation, transition and retention. I am currently in the pursuit of my PhD in Higher Education and Organizational Change at UCLA, have an MEd in Higher Education Student Affairs, and International Education Policy (University of Maryland, 2022) and a BA in Sociology and Ethnic Studies (UC San Diego, 2018). Throughout my undergraduate career, in addition to obtaining a minor in Education Studies, I actively worked with high schools by providing campus tour, hosting student for overnight programs, facilitating classes for a summer bridge program, presenting during high school conferences, conducting research at a high school and being an active mentor to high school students that were connected with me via personal networks. From 2018-2022, I was a College Advisor for the University of Southern California College Advising Corps where I worked predominantly with senior students and advised them based on their goals, aspirations and circumstances. I have given presentations on various topics (A-G, FAFSA, CalGrant, scholarships, transition programs, on-campus resources, etc.), have extensive resume, statement of purpose, and personal statement editing experience both for the college admission process and scholarship applications. I am a proud recipient of the Gates Millennium Scholarship (2013), which has an award rate of under 1% and has funded my bachelor’s, master’s, and is now funding my doctoral degree. In my 10 years of working with high school and college students in summer bridge programs, college access programs, outreach, programming, fraternity and sorority life, residence life, and research, I have developed an advising style that meets students where they are based on their knowledge. The premise of my advising style is to meet the needs of the student and their families/guardians with integrity and resourcefulness. I like to provide students with information to facilitate taking ownership of their decisions and can similarly have the confidence to answer questions and discuss topics with their families and guardians. I have enjoyed the process of involving parents to ensure they are equally informed as their students and together support students in their college-going process.

Hi! My name is Jessica Scott, and I am a seasoned recruitment professional with over 15 years of experience helping students of all backgrounds go through the college application process. After graduating from The Ohio State University, I served two years in AmeriCorps where my passion for helping fellow first-generation college students achieve their dreams began. I spent six years in the Undergraduate Admissions office at Ohio State where I helped thousands of high school students through the application process, lead application and essay workshops, and reviewed thousands of applications for our competitive admissions process. I transitioned to the College of Engineering where I spent over three years helping aspiring engineering students understand the program and how to find the majors that fit their career goals. I am excited to share my knowledge and passion to help you and your family navigate this process and find the right school for you!

I received my B.A from Boston University in 2016, where I studied Political Science and English Literature. I was involved with several student organizations and received the selective Scarlett Key Leadership award my senior year. My passion for working with students was cultivated through the Community Service Center on campus, as I led several programs and initiatives in the education field. After graduating with my bachelors, I worked for the non-profit organization College Advising Corps. I worked with hundreds of students through the college application process, assisting students with applications to highly selective universities, community colleges, and everything in-between! During this time, I completed a master's in educational policy and leadership studies, focusing on college access and student success. After my graduate program, I accepted a role within Boston University's Financial Aid Office in 2018. I began as a Financial Aid Counselor and was soon promoted to Assistant Director in the Spring of 2019. As an Assistant Director, I worked directly with our undergraduate students and their families on financial aid application completion, the financial aid appeals process, as well as college affordability counseling. I'm deeply familiar with the FAFSA and CSS Profile and worked closely with our Admissions office through each application cycle. I'm excited to work with students one on one, building confidence and self-advocacy through the application process. I'm here as a resource for students, helping to demystify college admissions, and provide support in any way I can. Applying to college is such an exciting time, and I'm thrilled to work alongside students and their families!

I'm Jennifer, and I'm an environmental engineer and dedicated research assistant at the University of Georgia with a strong drive to tackle pressing environmental issues and promote sustainable practices. My journey has been shaped by a unique blend of technical expertise and cross-cultural fluency, thanks to my background in environmental engineering working multi-nationally and a bachelor's degree in Mandarin Chinese language and literature, which I earned during my studies in China. My professional path has been marked by a deep proficiency in using cutting-edge satellite remote sensing-based techniques and machine learning to monitor environmental pollution on a global scale. For the past six years, I've immersed myself as an engineering research specialist, skillfully managing and executing international projects. One highlight of my career was a Fulbright grant in 2019, during which I wholeheartedly dedicated myself to addressing solid waste management challenges in Vietnam. But my work goes beyond engineering; it delves into a passion for education and mentorship, a recognition of all the incredible individuals who have profoundly influenced my journey thus far. I've been fortunate to teach engineering courses, guide both U.S. and international students in various engineering programs, and support students in navigating a spectrum of topics, from academic and career aspirations to the complex realm of environmental pollution. My true calling lies in working with people and building connections between society and the environment, whether through my interactions with students or my engagement with communities. I'm a firm believer in collaboration and have actively worked alongside government bodies, international development agencies, city governments, and non-governmental institutions to pioneer solutions for environmental challenges. In a nutshell, I'm a passionate and optimistic global learner, driven by an unwavering dedication to the fields of engineering, sustainable practices, and human connection, all in pursuit of a better planet for all life. I hope my commitment to my field and serving others can provide a beacon of inspiration for aspiring engineers and environmental advocates alike.

I have 4+ years of experience in College Advising. First, I served as the sole College Advisor at a Brooklyn high school through the NYU College Advising Corps. I provided guidance to students on college applications, financial aid, and career planning for a caseload of 230 seniors. I developed and taught a comprehensive college access curriculum, organized college-focused events, and maintained precise student records. I then transitioned to the role of Senior Access Adviser at Bottom Line, a College Advising and Access Organization, I guided 75 high school seniors a year through college applications, financial aid, essay writing, and career planning, with expertise extending beyond Top 50 schools. I excelled in organization, project management, and event planning, contributing to the success of various initiatives while meticulously maintaining accurate student records for informed decision-making. I've worked on Early Decision and Early Action applications as well as applications to specialty programs with students as well as BFA applications. I have a deep understanding of the financial aid application and appeal process and have worked with many families on it! I absolutely love working with students on their college applications. It brings me immense joy to learn about young people's hopes, dreams and goals, and of course to show them that those goals are possible! I value starting early, organization and informed decision making in my advising. I find it important to bring families into the process at every step and encourage students to lean on their communities. First and foremost, I make sure to establish a trusting relationship with each and every one of my students so they can trust me to encourage their uniqueness, creativity and brains in their applications!

I received my B.A. from the University of Illinois, Chicago (UIC), where I worked for 7 years, first as a post-graduate research assistant, before joining the admissions office as an Admission Officer. I spent six years in UIC's admission office working with first generation students, students from underrepresented populations, students from various geographic locations, and high-achieving students. UIC eventually created a position for me to focus specifically on the west coast in California, Oregon, and Washington. I then left UIC for the University of Utah (The U) and served as their Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions. In this newly created position, I read and reviewed applications for students primarily in California. I worked with campus partners to create unique and personalized campus experiences for out-of-state students and their families. While at “The U”, I dedicated my time to explaining the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) so that everyone understood it, created programming to increase awareness of the University of Utah, and specialized offers available for students. While working at “The U”, I was recruited to work for the University of Southern California (USC). While at USC I worked as a Senior Assistant Director of Undergraduate Recruitment, with an emphasis on curating student panels for university events, reading applications, and making admission decisions. I stand by my mission to help students and their families navigate the complexities of higher education. After 10 years working in higher education, my passion for helping others is just as strong as it was on day one. In my ten years I have worked with students interested in STEM, Business, Creative Arts, and, most commonly, those who are undecided. Regardless of the institution I worked for, my goal was, and still is, to help students gain admission to the institution(s) that will increase their drive and allow them to make an impact on the world. I originally never imagined working in higher education. After 10 years I cannot imagine a world where I am not working in higher education.