Advisors

Hi everyone, I'm Deena Henderson and I am thrilled to bring my passion for student-centered support to the CollegeAdvisor team. I graduated from Penn State University with a B.A. in media production and with that started my television production career of 20 years. I have worked with some amazing media companies and learned from some of the best in my field. While in my television career, a unique opportunity presented itself that was out of my comfort zone and it was to help with an internship program. What started out as just making sure students are reporting to work, turned into something more meaningful and changed the trajectory of my career. In addition to my primary role, I managed an internship program for 8 years which included recruiting, hiring, application review, training, supporting and mentoring both high school and college students yearly, in-person & virtually. I implemented and led onboarding, new student orientation, group check-ins, and guided students through academic and professional challenges helping them stay on track . I facilitated one-on-one advising sessions and networking workshops which created a trusting rapport with all students. Throughout the years, I have built trusting and collaborative relationships with students by maintaining open communication, offering one-on-one support, and encouraging self-advocacy and personal growth. I absolutely enjoy creating strong relationships, tailoring my communication to student needs and goals, and creating a positive inclusive environments where learners can be at their best academically and professionally. With my background in supporting students, I’m eager and excited to help the student population navigate their college career, overcome challenges, and achieve their academic goals. I’m always committed to making sure students have the best positive experience while supporting their professional and academic journeys.

FUN FACT: I absolutely enjoy traveling. My first international experience was while I was attending grad school. The opportunity to travel to Turkey presented itself and I haven't looked back since. I'm also part of a travel group called The Travel Divas. Since joining this amazing group, I have ventured to South of France, Spain and Africa. I'm hoping my next venture will be somewhere in Asia.

Hello and welcome to your college admissions journey. My name is Cliff-Simon, and I am so excited to support you in your process. As a first-generation student, I understand how difficult this can all be. Rest assured, we are here to support. After I graduated High School in Queens, New York, I moved 6 hours away from home to attend The State University College at Oswego. I completed my Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences with a minor in Health Sciences. In Undergrad, I was very involved in many student-led organizations, which led me to take a bit of a pivot and move to Buffalo, New York to complete a Master of Science degree from the Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration (HESAA) program at Canisius (College) University. My educational journey is not yet over, as I am currently completing a doctoral degree in Educational Administration at the University of Rochester, with a specialization in Higher Education. Currently, I work at the Unity Center, a student life office at Ithaca College, whose mission is to create safe spaces where students can be their whole selves and thrive. I also work in a scholarship program that reviews and makes admission decisions. Previously, I worked at Cornell in Residential Life and the specialized PreCollegiate Summer Scholars Program.
My mission in life is to remove barriers to your success and to ensure that students like you have access to Higher Education. I look forward to supporting you on your journey. As Nelson Mandela shared:

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."

I am a current fourth year medical student at the John Sealy School of Medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas applying for Internal Medicine Residency. I attended Texas A&M International University and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology as part of a combined BA/MD dual-degree medical program, which was one of the four combined medical programs I was accepted. Since 2019, I have been a professional advisor, helping high school students gain admission to competitive universities and dual-degree medical programs by helping with applications, essays, and interview prep. have been able to help over 50 students gain admission to their dream college or medical program with acceptances ranging from Ivy League universities to some of the most selective BS/MD programs in the country. I love helping enthusiastic and hard-working students who have a strong desire to succeed.

I received my bachelor's degree in advertising from the University of Florida. I started my higher education journey working as an Admissions Officer for the University of Florida in 2022 where I helped and advised thousands of students throughout the application process from beginning to end. I am now currently working for University of Massachusetts Amherst within the same role.

As a First-Gen student who did not know much on how to navigate the college process during high school, it is my goal to give back and advise students on how to approach picking the right school for them, help them throughout the application process, and guide them throughout their college application journey in order to make the transition as seamless as possible. My job is to take away as much of the stress as I can and coach students in order for them to reach their goals and get them to their dream destination.

Hey there! I’m Ms. Villalva Salas, and I’ve spent the last five years helping students get ready for college and beyond. Before becoming an advisor, I worked in college admissions as a Senior Admissions Fellow at Connecticut College, where I interviewed prospective students and learned what colleges are really looking for. I’m also a Posse Scholar and Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellow, programs that support leadership and help underrepresented students pursue advanced degrees—experiences that shaped how I guide and support others on their own journeys. I studied English and Education at Connecticut College, where I also received a certificate in Public Policy and Social Justice. Later, I earned my Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Boston College, focusing on Social Justice Leadership.

I love helping students uncover their strengths, tell their stories, and feel confident about their next steps. When I’m not advising, you’ll probably find me traveling, planning events, or practicing new languages.

I recently graduated from Columbia University with a PhD in foreign languages and literatures. Before Columbia, I earned a Master’s in History from the University of Oxford and a Bachelor’s in French and Italian from Princeton University.

I have taught undergraduate students at Columbia University and Barnard College for 3 years in a variety of humanities subjects. I have also worked in multiple administrative offices in Columbia University and as an official tutor for the Department of Italian.

In recent years, I have been an interviewer for the Princeton Office of Admission and have counselled high school seniors who have successfully been admitted to schools including Yale and MIT. I am intimately familiar with the admissions process and what success looks like in the Ivy League.

I’m Cierra Duckworth, and I’m passionate about helping students discover their potential and navigate the college admissions process with confidence. I’m a proud graduate of Rice University and Tulane University, where I built a strong background in the sciences and STEM fields. My own journey was shaped by participating in a college advising program that opened my eyes to the fact that higher education should be accessible to every student, no matter their background. That experience inspired my career in college access, and I’ve spent the last seven years working with students and families to make selective college opportunities feel within reach. Professionally, I oversee large-scale programs that support hundreds of students each year in building balanced college lists, writing authentic and compelling essays, and applying for scholarships and financial aid. Over the years, I’ve guided students to admission at highly selective colleges across the country, always centering their unique voices and strengths in the process. As an advisor, I’d describe my style as structured, supportive, and empowering. I love helping students find the stories that showcase who they are, while also keeping them organized and motivated throughout the application journey. My STEM background also allows me to connect with students interested in pursuing science, technology, engineering, and math pathways, and to help them highlight their strengths in these areas.

Most importantly, I’m driven by a belief that every student has a story worth telling and a place where they will thrive. My goal is to make sure students and families feel both supported and confident from our first conversation to the moment they receive their admissions letters.

I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Germanic Studies and East Asian Language and Cultures from Indiana University Bloomington. I also hold a Master's in International Relations from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. In between, I was a Fulbright grantee to Germany. I served as one of the Assistant Directors of Admission at Purdue University from 2022 to 2025, working primarily on the International recruitment team. During my tenure on Purdue's admissions team, I worked with countless students from around the world. I directly recruited in close to 30 countries, and I had the pleasure of reviewing applications from many more countries. While abroad, I worked to serve Purdue and further the mission of global education, supporting students no matter where they intended to call home, regardless of if they joined us at Purdue or not. I conducted application review activities, lead application review teams, trained others in international application review and credential evaluation, and regularly spoke to students about their college journey.

I approach college advising as equal parts coach and cheerleader. The college application process represents one of the greatest decisions many students have made in their lives! I believe it is important to celebrate the college application process and the milestones that students accomplish while still respecting the stress that this process places on students. I look forward to working with you as you begin to explore your options, narrow down your choices, and ultimately find your university home that will give you opportunities grow and succeed.

With over a decade working at startups and Fortune 500 companies on product development and innovation teams, I bring the research skills from my undergrad (McGill University, Honours '12) and deep awareness of the current technical job market from my product management and design background (MBA from California College of the Arts '18) to support driven students in defining their path and finding the best fit opportunities based on their interests. From my own experience considering offers from selective universities across the United States and choosing to dive into my love for studying French on an adventure abroad in Montréal, I'm excited about supporting students with deep specific academic passions and finding the best fit and aligning their dream path with an acceptance offer.

I also work as an Adjunct Professor in the MBA program at California College of the Arts teaching communications, personal development, and leadership courses, and am building a coaching practice to practice my passion for supporting individuals in their growth journeys. Outside of my work, I love to sail on the San Francisco Bay and explore creative hobbies including ceramics, dance, and painting.

I’m a senior at Georgia Tech majoring in Information Technology with a double minor in Computing and Leadership Studies. I’ve gained hands-on experience through internships at EY (Tech Consulting, Customer Technology & Digital Risk), Google (Tech Sales), and a nonprofit abroad, where I collaborated across cultures to solve real-world challenges. I bring a blend of technical, analytical, and leadership skills, with experience in Python, SQL, data analysis, and project management, and I’m passionate about leveraging technology and data to create impact while supporting students and peers in navigating their academic and career journeys.

I am graduate from The University of Michigan with a dual degree in Economics and International Relations. I have experience tutoring students since high school, and have had numerous students in ACT/SAT/College Essay, Economics, History, Political Science/Intl Relations, and French. I have studied abroad in Germany and following graduation I did economic research in Freiburg, Germany. Following this experience, I am beginning a job in management consulting in NYC in September 2025. I really enjoy working with students and am happy to offer help/guidance in any way.

I recently graduated with high honors from Harvard, earning a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Computer Science. I applied early and was accepted as an international student from Germany. While at Harvard, I served as a peer academic advisor and mentor for fellow students, guiding them through course selection, research opportunities, and career planning in both business and technology fields. I also co-founded and scaled multiple ventures, including a national tutoring platform and a healthcare technology startup, experiences that gave me first-hand insight into entrepreneurship, leadership, and the application of technology to solve real-world problems.

I am one of two German recipients of the Rhodes Scholarship in 2025 and am currently pursuing a Master’s at the University of Oxford. I am particularly passionate about the intersection of business, technology, and innovation, and I enjoy helping others think strategically about their academic and career paths in these areas. Outside of my academic and professional work, I am an endurance sports enthusiast and the founder of Mii, a healthcare technology company focused on improving patient safety through better data accessibility.

I studied Mechanical Engineering at Northeastern University (NEU) with minors in Robotics and Mathematics. While at Northeastern, I also studied abroad in Dublin, Ireland. When I was back at NEU, I completed four internships/co-ops—three with medical device companies in Boston and one with the Department of Defense in NJ. I also held leadership roles in several student organizations, including the Robotics Club, Swim Club, Water Polo Club, and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

I'm currently working as a Mechanical Engineer in San Francisco.

Feel free to learn more on my LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethanfmuhlon/

Darleene is a graduate student at Columbia University studying Population and Family Health with a certificate in epidemiology. She graduated from UC Berkeley with degrees in Molecular Cell Biology, specifically in Cell Development and Physiology and Public Health,with an emphasis on maternal, child, and adolescent health. She has worked with the UC Berkeley Undergraduate Admissions Office and the School of Public Health, supporting traditional, transfer, and first-generation students. In her undergraduate career, she has held research positions at UCSF, UC Berkeley, and Stanford, doing both qualitative and quantitative work, including clinical, wet-lab, community-based participatory action (CBPR) and computational research.

She also has experience with curriculum planning, choosing or changing majors, finding research opportunities, and applying to graduate school. Many of the students she has worked with in the past have had aspirations to develop their professional and academic STEM careers. Her expertise lies in helping students amplify their authentic voices and develop passion projects. She hopes to be a supportive player in your college admission journey to make the process less daunting and set you up for success once you arrive on campus!

I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at the Georgia Institute of Technology, specializing in HCI and Artificial Intelligence. Throughout my college experience, I’ve earned both Dean’s List and Faculty Honors for academic excellence. My work bridges AI, software engineering, UX design, and product innovation, with experience building impactful technology solutions across various industries. In my professional and academic experience, I have designed AI-powered applications, created interactive user experiences, and contributed to projects that improved efficiency and accessibility. Beyond technical work, I am passionate about mentorship and education. I have led and supported technology-focused programs that empower students, particularly underrepresented groups in STEM, to develop coding skills and complete projects. I have worked with students pursuing Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, and AI-related fields to help them refine both their technical portfolios and their personal narratives for applications and interviews.

My mission as an advisor is to help students bring their unique story and technical strengths to life on paper, making the process of applying to college both strategic and inspiring. I believe in tailoring the approach to each student’s strengths while ensuring their college admissions journey feels empowering. Outside of academics, I enjoy playing pickleball, making pottery, and baking with friends!

Hello! My name is Bethany Berhanu, and I am originally from Houston, Texas. I am a first-generation college graduate with a bachelor's degree in Asian Studies and Psychology from Bowdoin College. I am also a QuestBridge Scholar and successfully matched with Bowdoin during my senior year of high school. In high school, I was fortunate to be part of a college-access nonprofit and had a wonderful mentor who not only made my QuestBridge and college application process much less confusing but also inspired my interest in college advising. After graduating from college, I worked as a college advisor for a nonprofit in Chicago, where I met one-on-one with a caseload of students from 9th through 12th grade. I provided hands-on support with college research, building college lists, personal statements, and scholarship applications, while also supporting students’ academic and leadership development.

I have worked with students who had a wide range of academic interests—from Sociology and Political Science to Pre-Med and Biology. My favorite part of working with students is getting to know their true selves and helping them translate that into a strong and authentic application. I know the college application process can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. That’s why my advising philosophy centers on demystifying the process in a way that best fits each individual student’s needs.

Outside of advising, I enjoy taking dance classes, baking new recipes, and spending time with friends!

Hi, I'm Nick! I recently graduated from Northwestern University with a BS in Theatre and a minor in Film and Media Studies. During my time at Northwestern I participated in dozens of student-led theatre and film productions and played cello in the NU Philharmonia orchestra, all while maintaining a well-balanced courseload across Northwestern's schools. Since graduating, I have honed my skills as an advisor by working full-time at a private school in Andersonville, Chicago. I work with students of all ages and all learning styles to help them develop into well-rounded and independent young adults. I have simultaneously pursued an acting career in Chicago theatre, working with numerous storefront theatres as an actor and a cellist, and become a member of the Evanston Symphony Orchestra.

I look forward to my next chapter with CollegeAdvisor, helping prospective college students achieve their dream schools with care and dedication!

I graduated from Miami University with a bachelor's in Sport Leadership & Management and a minor in Business Management. I then graduated from Tulane University with a master's in Health & Wellness Management. While at both schools, I was heavily involved with college athletics, and served as a Graduate Assistant for the Tulane University athletic department. I then worked as the Director of Communications for Atlantic Hockey America, a Division I men's and women's ice hockey conference.

Prior to College Advisor, I also worked as an Admissions Advisor at Purdue University. I have worked with students who major in Arts and Humanities, Media Studies, Computer Science, Nursing, Business, Psychology, Engineering, and Education. My mission while advising is to provide exceptional customer service while being the one-stop shop for all admissions information. The college application process can be overwhelming, and I take pride in my ability to maintain a healthy mindset while finding an effective approach that is customized for each student.

I am an experienced educator and Program Manager with a B.A. in English and Spanish Language and Literature from the University of Chicago. My passion for guiding students through pivotal transitions has been a driving force throughout my career. From assisting elementary students with daily lessons and homework as an NSP Tutor to helping high schoolers navigate college applications as a College Counselor Assistant, I've consistently focused on fostering academic growth and personal development. My early roles also included boosting school visibility as a PR Coordinator Assistant and building community connections through Alumni Outreach, creating vital opportunities for graduates. My expertise in student support deepened significantly through my teaching and tutoring roles. As a Response-To-Intervention/Test Prep Teacher, I crafted individualized, data-driven lesson plans that led to tangible improvements in middle school Math and ELA. As a 9th Grade English TA/Relay Fellow, I meticulously tracked student progress, and later as a 10th Grade Lead English Teacher, developed engaging curriculum and promoted social-emotional learning. More recently, as a Specialized Tutor and Advisor at a remote tutoring company, I focused on academic and social growth, I've mastered personalized academic support, coordinating complex schedules and tailoring instruction to individual needs, resulting in substantial gains in student test scores and grades.

Currently, as a 12th Grade College Access Program Manager at EMERGE, I leverage my comprehensive background to passionately guide high-achieving, low-income students through the college application and financial aid process, achieving a remarkable 99% college acceptance rate. This role allows me to combine my skills in curriculum development, data management, and direct student mentorship to empower the next generation. My dedication ensures that every student can confidently approach their next chapter, making the complex journey of college applications as exciting and fulfilling as possible.

As a former Associate Director of Admissions for the past 3 years and a total of 7 years in higher education, I am driven by the importance of assisting students and their families pursue their designated path. I led strategic outreach and recruitment efforts, specializing in holistic admissions review and student engagement. I served as both director and liaison for precollege initiatives, where I designed and delivered curriculum for grades 9–12, focusing on college readiness and application preparation. My work included guiding students—particularly first-generation scholars—and their families through each stage of the admissions process, from understanding institutional fit to essay development and navigating complex application systems. My other work passions outside of admissions, is entrepreneurial business focused as I work with small business organizations to strategically enhance operations, I am currently a full time student pursuing my masters in management and I volunteer with a local nonprofit ministry assisting in their management and operations efforts.

For fun, I love to travel, spend time with friends and family specifically my nieces and nephews. I also love all things performing arts! Like singing, songwriting, poetry and creating memorable video projects for special celebratory occasions!

With all that I do, I hope you are inspired that through your admissions journey to pursue ALL of your passions! I would love to help you get there!

My name is Karen Droisen. I am an engaged, dedicated, supportive college counselor working remotely with students throughout the country. I earned my BA in English from Barnard College, Columbia University. I went on to earn an MA and PhD in English literature at the University of Virginia. After completing my doctorate, I joined the University of Nevada, Las Vegas as a tenure-track assistant professor of English. In subsequent years, I worked as a fundraiser for local and international non-profit organizations. In 2015, I returned to my first love – education – and became a full-time college counselor. I share my love of learning to create a collaborative, student-centric experience. When it is time for your student to begin the college search, I can provide comprehensive services to find the schools that are their best matches academically, socially, and financially. I guide families through all phases of the process, including course selection, activity planning, interview prep, and application strategy -- helping reduce stress along the way! I am committed, flexible, and enthusiastic advisor from start to finish, from creating the college list, to helping students craft their unique personal statement, to clicking the "submit" button. I will review every detail and ensure that your student presents a well-crafted application that reflects their gifts, personality, and voice. After the acceptances arrive, I help my families weigh the pros and cons of each school and chose the best one for their student.

As a mom of two boys now in their early twenties, I have been through the application process myself fairly recently! With this lived experience, I can anticipate challenges and support my students through them so that excitement replaces stress.

Above all, I enjoy getting to know my students as people first, and helping them grow in confidence throughout the process. Choosing a college is the biggest decision most of them will make as young adults. I empower my students to push through the challenges along the way and embrace their final decision.