University of Maryland – College Park

Over the past decade, I've immersed myself in guiding college-bound students from across the country through the admissions process. With experience from institutions like the University of Delaware, University of Maryland College Park, and George Washington University, as well as working with Johns Hopkins School of Nursing at the graduate level, I've witnessed firsthand the transformative power of education. My journey is fueled by a passion for fostering inclusivity and accessibility in higher education. Through workshops, outreach events, and personalized guidance, I empower students from diverse backgrounds to navigate the admissions maze with confidence. Working closely with the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing deepened my understanding of the challenges faced by aspiring healthcare professionals and reinforced the importance of mentorship. As I reflect, I'm grateful for the relationships formed and lives touched. My dedication to empowering students remains steadfast, driven by the belief in the transformative impact of education and the boundless potential within every student.

I earned my degree in Electrical Engineering from Howard University, with Magna Cum Laude Latin Honors, finishing my program in three years. I am currently a PhD student at the University of California, Berkeley in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (EECS) department. My research focuses on the field of physical electronics, particularly optoelectronics. Optoelectronics is widely considered a sub-discipline of photonics, which refers to the study and application of the physical science of light.

My Passion for Advising Students:

In my own undergraduate college journey, I was accepted to over ten universities with $1 million USD in financial aid. Similarly, for my graduate school process, I was accepted to top universities for engineering with fully funded offers to pursue my PhD. During this process, I was on my own researching and applying to my schools of interest. I believe that my vast experiences in engineering will enable me to assist anyone to create their own story and achieve their collegiate dreams. This can be a difficult process to navigate, with many different hidden hurdles involved, and I am passionate about leveraging my experience to help students. Below, you will find a summary of my engineering experience!

Undergraduate Academic Experience:

During my three years at Howard University, I completed various hardware electronics projects. For my senior capstone project, I worked with The Aerospace Corporation on a project titled, “Machine Learning Based Sensing for Autonomous Robotic Manipulation”. I was also amongst a group of 30 students selected for a Google program called Hardware Product Sprint. In Summer 2022, I had a great experience working with Google engineers to learn about consumer electronics. Additionally, I have experience conducting undergraduate academic research projects in quantum materials science. In Summer 2023, I was one of three students selected for the National Science Foundation (NSF) Global Quantum Leap International Research and Training Experience Program at the National Institute of Materials Science in Japan. This project was supported by Cornell University. In Summer 2022, I was a research intern at the NSF Center for Integrated Quantum Materials at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Both these research projects had applications for advanced computing with the long-term goal of developing next generation electronic devices.

Engineering Leadership Experience:

Aside from my academic experiences, I am very involved in engineering leadership. At UC Berkeley, I am the professional development chair for the Black Graduate Engineering and Science Students, which is the graduate chapter for the National Society of Black Engineers. I also serve as delegate in the EECS Graduate Assembly, which is a student government that advocates for EECS graduate students. At Howard University, I was a resident assistant in a freshman dorm, I was the campus ambassador for Raytheon Technologies, I was the membership and academic excellence chair of the Howard University Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers, I was the programs chair of the Howard University Chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and I was the diversity representative of the Howard University College of Engineering and Architecture Student Council. Additionally, I am an initiated member of the DC Alpha chapter of Tau Beta Pi, which is an engineering honor society for students at in the top percentile of their academic year group.

I recently graduate Dean's List from Brandeis University with a BA in Public Health and African-American studies. During my time at Brandeis I was heavily involved in Jewish life, research, orientation programming, and community service initiatives. I worked with students of all ages in the local school district. After graduating I took a role at Big Brothers Big Sisters running a mentoring program for high schoolers. The program focused on building meaningful relationships with an emphasis on college and career readiness. I created programming to guide students on making college lists and thinking about areas of study. This experience emphasized the importance of relationship in building when making big decisions- like college planning. I then went on to spend the next few years working as an Admission Counselor at Brandeis University followed by Olin College of Engineering. In these roles I was able to guide prospective students and applicants though the application process and beyond. I would advise students on essay topics and the extracurriculars section, offering guidance on how to make their application represent them the best. I gained an understanding of the entire admission process from beginning to end, seeing the areas where students can shine most. This experience could be stressful for some students but continuing to communicate with one another made all the difference. I now work as a Client Success Manager at a remote software company guiding our clients on best practices and troubleshooting the product. I love being able to guide and teach people everyday and I'm excited to continue that journey here. When not working at the computer, you can find me cooking, playing tennis, reading or going for a long walk.

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 there! My name is Renee and I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Affairs from Northeastern University where I minored in both Business Administration and Social Entrepreneurship. I then furthered my studies at University College London and hold a Master of Arts in Education and International Development. After living and working in Cape Town, South Africa after the completion of my graduate studies, I have spent the past five years with Philadelphia Futures, an organization that provides low-income, first-generation-to-college students with the tools, resources, and opportunities necessary for admission to and success in college. Within my role as Senior Coordinator, I advised a caseload of 45 students and their families by sharing tools to help students find their best fit college and create a strong admissions plan. I have led admissions process and programming for these students by planning, executing and tracking all activities related to both their college admissions application and their financial aid application as well. This has included the FAFSA, CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE completion, as well as postsecondary list-building and postsecondary decision-making processes. My previous students have been admitted to a varied and diverse list of mid-range and highly selective institutions, such as Stanford, Penn, Vanderbilt, Boston University, and John Hopkins. I have worked with students who have pursued a degree in a wide range of majors including the Arts and Humanities, Business, and STEM as well. As such, I am well versed in the requirements and expectations of a wide variety of academic disciplines. Looking at my work from a financial aid perspective, I have decreased my students cash gap by an average of $25K or more per student, often to as low as $0. Additionally, I have helped students access and secure an average of $100K in external scholarships as well. As the college admissions landscape is continually shifting, I pride myself in staying up to date on the latest trends and data by attending various professional development opportunities including attending counselor information sessions, well as fly-in events across campuses around the country. I am also a NACAC and PACAC member as a classified independent educational consultant. Within this space, I have stewarded strong relationships with college admissions staff to advocate for my students and their families. Education has the power to be transformative. I know the college admissions process can feel overwhelming, but I’m dedicated to empowering students on their educational journey! I will leave no stone unturned and will provide the necessary expertise to help students live up to their greatest potential!

Chi (he/him) is a first-generation college graduate from the University of Virginia, studying Economics and Politics. Following his undergraduate experience, he obtained an M.S.Ed. in Higher Education from the top-ranked University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education. A Senior Advisor with CollegeAdvisor since May 2021, Chi connects his years of professional experience as an Admissions Reader with Yale University and Yale-NUS College to provide thorough coaching and admissions support. His primary philosophy involves building the 'holistic profile,' empowering students to make well-informed decisions about their application strategy and highlighting their personal stories in the application process. With 5+ years of professional experience, Chi's work in research, admissions, and student services seeks to foster life skills and knowledge development, helping students succeed in the transition to post-secondary education and beyond. In addition to his work with CollegeAdvisor, Chi is a full-time Senior Research Associate with Storbeck Search, a subsidiary of Diversified Search Group, in its education practice. He bridges his knowledge of the higher education landscape with admissions work to provide strong, contextual detail tailored to each student. Chi demonstrates a strong track record of success coaching students during his tenure with CollegeAdvisor, including acceptances in, but not limited to: - 6 of 8 Ivy League institutions - 21 of the Top 25 institutions, ranked by U.S. News & World Report - 44 of the Top 50 institutions, ranked by U.S. News & World Report Chi calls West Virginia home, and is an avid foodie, enjoys outdoor runs and hikes, and is often found cheering for his alma mater Hoos, Ravens, and Sixers.

Deven is a J.D. candidate at the University of North Carolina School of Law. He also attended the University of Virginia where he graduated with Distinction. Deven prides himself on his holistic approach to the college admissions process and looks forward to helping you reach your goals! He has helped students gain admission into several top 20 universities, the Ivy League, and Stanford University.