Advisors

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!

It's great to meet you! My name is Jack Zhang, and I served as an Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Admissions at William & Mary. During my time in admissions, I read applications, travelled around the country to meet students, and wrote for the William & Mary Admit It! Blog. My experiences as an Admissions Officer William & Mary have given me an unique lens to help you with the college application process. My goal with working with CollegeAdvisor is to help de-mystify much of the college application process and help you get one step closer to achieving your dreams. I have helped a number of students over the years, and my passion is helping you tell your story and find your voice. Over the years, I have helped students get into their top choice schools like the University of Pennsylvania, Georgetown University, New York University, and the University of Michigan. College was an incredible, transformative experience for me, and I want to help you find the best college that is the best fit for you.

Hello everyone,

I am Iyanu, a junior majoring in Economics at Stanford University. Having attended high school in London, UK, I gained a deep understanding of the profound challenges and anxieties the US admissions process can pose, especially for international students who may find it unfamiliar. My central aim is to transform what can be a stressful process into a smooth and more enjoyable journey by providing guidance and unwavering support. I hold A Levels In Mathematics, Economics, Further Mathematics and an AS in Physics in addition to my 9 GCSEs at level 9 (A*). Beyond this, my professional experience spans over 5 years, encompassing tutoring, nonprofit youth board advising, university admissions mentorship and the creation of essential resources for navigating the US college admissions process. This diverse background has not only refined my knowledge but fueled my dedication to helping all students best position themselves to attain their educational goals. My time at Stanford University has been an enriching and diverse experience. I explored a range of academic disciplines and contributed to research in ethical AI and published research in health equity. I have also interned in finance, consulting and public policy, gaining insights to guide students in their professional journeys. Beyond academics, I have been actively engaged in financial literacy initiatives, dance, debates, efforts to reduce food insecurity, and STEM tutoring for female students in the local area. As your advisor, my goal is to guide you on a journey of personal growth within a supportive and effective advising environment. I am committed to helping you craft an application that creatively narrates the story of your unique strengths and holistic talents. No matter what stage you are in the process, I am here to support you and also let you find joy in the application experience.

As a first-generation college graduate, I know the importance of how crucial it is to obtain help, especially throughout the college admissions process. In 2017, I graduated cum laude from UC Irvine with a double major in Psychology and Social Behavior and Education Sciences. During my time at UC Irvine, I worked as a Student Coordinator for UCI's Early Academic Outreach Program where I helped prepare students in underserved communities for admission to the University of California. After graduating, I completed my Master's in Educational Counseling with a School and Family Based Counseling concentration in 2019. During my time as a graduate student, I was also an Educational Consultant for a private college counseling firm where I worked with students at all academic levels ranging from community colleges to the most competitive universities. Concurrently, I also worked as a Career Coach for Santiago Canyon College advising students on career paths and dual enrollment. Since 2019, I have worked at one of the top STEM charter schools in Los Angeles as a school counselor. My background consists of working with low-income, minority students, and students with disabilities in the Los Angeles and Orange County regions. For the past 2 years, I have also worked for UC San Diego as an external admissions reader where I gained further insight into the realm of college admissions.

Hello and welcome to my page! I have a BA in Sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. I hold my MS in Educational Counseling from National University. I have eight years of counselor experience in the academic, college, and career needs of diverse high school student populations:

• Students with Disabilities,
• English Learners,
• Homeless/Foster Youth,
• Low Income and/or First Generation,
• Gifted and Talented Students

My experience in the college application process ranges from college eligibility requirements for various college systems to guiding students to apply to college and financial aid. In between this process, providing guidance to students, but not limited to:

• Developing their college lists and college majors based on their interests and research,
• Step-by-step college application process,
• Essay brainstorming and editing/revisions,
• Applying to scholarship/internship/volunteer opportunities.

What drives me to continue being a counselor/college advisor? It is the students!

This is a major step in their lives that can be filled with a lot of emotions and uncertainty at times. With the student and their family leading the way in the college application journey, I am a resource of support and guidance to make this process as pleasant and exciting as possible.

I look forward to working and guiding your students on their college application journeys.

Education Consultant with Under/Graduate specialized experience.

I have graduated from multiple institutions both in the US and abroad. My experience extends to over 15 years of educational instruction, leadership, investment, research and administrative roles. My career allowed me to experience different perspectives of education, so I believe in wholesomeness and focus when I deal with my clients. Within my publications and books, you will find that I try my best to advise people to make decisions that increase their happiness as distressed souls are usually wearing the wrong shoes or walking the wrong paths because of pressure. My strength is the ability to solve my clients' problems and help them attain their goals. Would you like me to help you make your dream(s) come true? Book a session - let's chat!

I have been a college and career adviser for over three years now. I fully enjoy working with students to help them accomplish their dreams as higher education should be accessible to all! The college application process can be overwhelming and sometimes complicated, so I strive to make sure the process not only flows easily but makes sense for each student. I work with students starting in their sophomore year (or earlier) plan for their educational and career goals and making sure that they are taking steps early on in their high school career to accomplish their goals. I'm a big believer in the match and fit process and making sure to explore all aspects of a university to make sure it's the right fit for a student.

I came to the US from India and received a BS in Physics and an MBA in Informational Science from Xavier University. I taught physics for six years to grades 9-12 as well as AP physics, AP economics, and AP psychology. I was also a college advisor for grade 11 and 12 at an international boarding school in New York. I currently work at Columbia University as the Assistant Director for admin and planning and offer college essay writing workshops as well as test prep tutoring. I have several years of experience in advising international students on the college search and application process. My experience is mostly in the placement of students interested in the STEM fields.

College counseling started as a college major, but I quickly found it to be my true passion. It has become my calling. Over the past twenty years, I have counseled hundreds of students into their college fit. My students have received offers to the most competitive colleges in the USA, UK, Canada, and abroad. I am well-versed in the application process and essay writing. My journey into college counseling has taken me to Canada, the UK, the USA, Italy, China, and The Middle East. I graduated from Howard University, and my instructors were the first of their generation to receive degrees; they were my mentors and pioneers in their respective fields! But it was during my time at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, UNECA I realized the power of education. I worked in Ethiopia on a fellowship to eliminate Female Genital Mutilation, FGM. That experience changed my career trajectory and put female issues at the center of my work. It was then I realized the power of educating girls. When I visited The Hamlin Fistula Hospital, I met an Oromo woman with the most exciting story. Years ago, she was brought to a hospital by her father and of no use to her husband. She was in labor for almost a full day and lost her child. The fetus stuck inside her, and in the process, she permanently damaged her womb. She could no longer have children, which was the only purpose she saw for herself then. A visiting team from the US-sponsored her to attend college, and she eventually received her nursing degree. Now she is a permanent fixture at The Hamlin Hospital as a head nurse and spends her spare time educating other women and family members. The most significant transformation happened with her immediate family, her father, mother, brother, and sisters all benefited from her education. When you educate a woman, you educate a family. That was when I saw the power of education, and I knew I needed to empower people through the power of college counseling. At the core of my work is a deep appreciation of the uniqueness of each student and embracing the fact that every student's path is particular to them. I want my clients to know who they are and understand why they like what they like so they can choose programs that resonate with their personalities. Yes, I am a dreamer, pragmatist, and skilled strategist. My experiences have fine-tuned these skills I have gained through education, travel, life, color, understanding all the nuances and idiosyncrasies of cultures, and turning students' lives into stories that whet the appetite of college admissions representatives. The college application requires a lot of reflection on experiences and lessons learned and knowing success and challenges. My work with my clients is about unleashing their passion and helping them find themselves as they discover their universities of choice. I am pleased that the college counseling process is becoming more inclusive as we elevate student voices. As I enter my 24th year of college counseling, I desire to partner with students and their families to help them find their best match. Professionally I have visited universities in the UK, Canada, China, Australia, South Korea, the USA, and South America. I am familiar with curricula from IB, AP, IGCSE, and Canadian, and others as well. I am a full-time Director of College Counseling at a private independent school. This work is crucial for understanding the daily influences that impact students, domestically and internationally. I am committed to working on issues of equity and inclusivity with all communities. I am part of an extensive People of Color college counseling community; they are essential to my existence. This community has given me wise counsel, support, and a sense of belonging. I remain a student of life and will never stop learning.

I have more than 18 years of experience working in higher education, from scholarships administration, undergraduate teaching and advising, curriculum development, academic research, leadership development and training to program management. My work as an administrator, scholar, mentor, and teacher is grounded on my commitment to justice, diversity, and serving underrepresented communities in education. Currently, I oversee a student success programming at UC Berkeley supporting about 200 scholars each year. I focus on removing barriers in higher education to make education accessible and on creating programming that fosters our scholars' personal, academic, and professional growth. I hold an undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley in English and Political Science as well as a doctoral degree in Literature from UC Santa Cruz with an emphasis on Asian American Studies, Critical Theory, Postcolonial Studies, Critical Race and Ethnic Studies, and Cultural Studies. I mentor many students and have helped them get accepted to top colleges, both public and private universities such as Harvard, Cornell, Brown, UC Berkeley, Georgia Tech, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, UW, University of Virginia, University of Florida, Purdue, UCLA, UCSD, UCI, UC Davis, UCR, UC Santa Cruz, Rutgers, UIUC, Baylor, Spelman, and many more. I love working with students, especially in helping them realize their own potential and guiding them though their academic and personal growth. I cannot wait to meet with you and help you shine in your essays!

Hi! Nice to meet you. I am an education advocate with over 7 years of experience. I currently work as a Director at UCLA Anderson Management School of Business where I lead admissions and recruitment strategies, oversee the student affairs team, and provide career counselling to students throughout their academic journey. I'm deeply passionate about creating inclusive environments that empower students to succeed and thrive in their academic pursuits. Previously, I worked at Florida International University as an Admissions Officer, where I built strong relationships with 9th - 12th grade prospective students, their families, and other key stakeholders in the community. I earned my Master's Degree in Higher Education Administration and Bachelor's Degree in Psychology at Florida International University. In addition, I earned a certificate in Academic Advising and am a member of the National Association of College Admissions Counselors (NACAC). If you catch me outside of work, I'm an adventurous traveler - 28 countries and counting. I'm an avid lover of fitness and yoga. During the summer, I earned my scuba dive certificate and hope to swim with whales one day.

I graduated from Purdue University in 2021, earning a Master of Science in Educational Psychology. I am a first-generation college student, earning high honors in my program. I have more than 20 years of experience in education, 10 years of experience in test prep, and 5 years of experience assisting high school students with the college admissions process. I take great pride in helping my former students get accepted into some of the top universities in the nation and earning "big ticket" scholarships as well.

I have dedicated 15 years of providing outreach, opportunity, and access to students who find their why during the confusing college application process. I was once an unsure high school student, yet I knew that college was one of my many goals. I attended University of California, Davis, where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Community and Regional Development. During my time at UC Davis, I worked with high schools in Sacramento as a College Advisor for the University of California. Once I matriculated, I continued my work as a College Advisor. After 2 years in outreach, I moved to Miami and taught English for 2 years. I decided to return to my hometown of San Francisco and led a Junior Seminar class, while also serving as the school’s College Counselor. I left the classroom and took the opportunity to work with the University of California San Francisco’s Center for Science, Education & Outreach. I directed internships for high school students in the San Francisco Bay Area to conduct research under the faculty in the fields of Medicine, Physical Therapy, Nursing, and Dentistry. I had the dual role of working with high schools in the San Francisco Bay Area, as the Lead Outreach Coordinator and University of California representative. I earned my Masters of Arts in Organization and Leadership from the University of San Francisco and I am currently the founding Director of San Francisco State’s Latinx Student Center. My passion is to guide students as they find their voice, their why, and their confidence in this process. The students I have worked with have been awarded various scholarships, fellowships, and admissions to prestigious Universities. However, what makes me most proud is knowing that students remember that they have a guide through this process.

I have ~5 years of experience in the aerospace/defense industry and so far, it has been a blast! I earned my bachelor's in aerospace engineering from The University of Texas at Austin and over the course of my 4 years, earned over $20,000 in scholarships. Currently, I am working as a contracted systems engineer and systems architect. As a leader in the satellite industry, I work heavily with technical requirements, CONOPS (Concept of Operations) diagrams, and Model Based Systems Engineering. I also have additional work-related certifications from MIT. My expertise includes applying for engineering school, applying for scholarships, support in figuring out which engineering discipline to apply for, and applying for engineering jobs and negotiation skills.

Fun Facts: 1) I have mentored over 50 students (most of them pre-college or 1st year in college)! 2) I have been featured on several BuzzFeed videos for the work I do. 3) I speak French and German and love traveling!

🚀 Technical Solutions Engineer at Epic Systems | Pharmacy and Data Integrity Specialist 🌐 | Subject Matter Expert in Insulin Charging

🔧 I worked as a Technical Solutions Engineer at Epic Systems, specializing in pharmacy and data integrity. I collaborated with five hospital organizations, ensuring seamless software operation and troubleshooting complex technical issues. Internally, I served as a subject matter expert in insulin charging within the Epic environment.

Hi! I am so thrilled that you are considering me to be a part of your journey to higher education. I understand how exciting and maybe a little scary this time in your life can be, and I am here to help. Here is a bit about me, I am a passionate former admissions professional who believes in the power of higher education and its positive impacts on students, families, and communities. I am an extrovert who enjoys connecting and building relationships with others, type A when it counts, and an optimist, as I believe everything works for good. As for my educational background, I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, a Master of Arts degree in Health and Human Services - Peace and Conflict Studies with a concentration in Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a Doctor of Education degree in Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University. I began my career working at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte within the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. While there, I held several positions, including Admissions Visit Assistant, Admissions Counselor, and Assistant Director of Admissions. I then joined The Office of Admissions at Virginia Commonwealth University as the Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions. In this role, I assisted in developing admissions guidelines, reviewed and rendered decisions on admissions applications, supervised admissions professionals, oversaw out-of-state recruitment, oversaw all admissions events, and oversaw the admissions visit program. While at both institutions, I reviewed applications for two highly selective full-pay scholarship and honors programs, the Levine Scholars Program at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and the Presidential Scholarship at Virginia Commonwealth University. Additionally, I have been active in state, regional, and national professional admissions organizations, holding organization positions and presenting at conferences regarding admissions best practices. Currently, I serve as a Campus Relations Manager with Intel Corporation, a large global tech company at #41 on the Fortune 500 list. In this role, I work with STEM college students as they apply for internships and full-time employment with the company. As a first-generation college graduate, I had many advisors assist me along my journey. With their help, I achieved my goals and many amazing things during my college career, ultimately earning a terminal degree. I would love to assist you and your family on your journey. I wish you all the best!

To give you an idea of who I am, I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with my Bachelor of Science in Biology & Exercise and Sport Science in 2016. I then went on to become a College Advisor aiding over 1500+ students in their college process. Some of my most rewarding experiences have been supporting students to be admitted to Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Columbia, NYU, Duke, and many other top universities. I’m very passionate about the sciences and education. I currently work as a Senior Instructional Designer for a cable provider! I’d love to be a part of your journey!

My name is Denise Pérez (she/her) and I am a native of Chicago, Illinois currently residing in Houston, Texas. I earned a B.A., in Sociology and Psychology from Connecticut College in 2018. I also received a certificate in Community Action and Public Policy through the Holleran Center for Community Action. I have more than 3 years of experience in Higher Education admissions for both public and private colleges and universities. My ultimate goal is to empower college applicants and demystify the college application process for them and their families.