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.
