Advisors

Hi! My name is Samantha, and I graduated Cum Laude from the University of Georgia in May 2022 with a Bachelor’s in History and a minor in Anthropology. After coming from a low-income background and working my way through college, I am proud to have graduated debt-free. During my time at UGA, I made sure to take advantage of all the on-campus opportunities I could find. I joined clubs that aligned with my interests and made lifelong connections. In addition to being in numerous clubs, I worked for the university in the campus bookstore and the university’s art museum. Working on campus made me feel like I was a part of a greater community, and it brought me great joy to welcome campus guests and share my love for the Bulldogs.

Post-graduation, I worked as an AmeriCorps College Adviser for underserved, low-income, and underrepresented student populations. As an adviser, I supported 1000+ high school juniors and seniors with college and career prep while individually advising over 600 students on the college admissions process. While working with students, I stressed the importance of college affordability as well as creating balanced college lists based on best match and fit. I assisted my students from the Class of 2022 in earning 27.1 million dollars in scholarships, so I love helping students secure funding to support their college endeavors. Impelled by my passion for college access, I am gearing up to start the Professional School Counseling master's program at my alma mater, and in the meantime, I am excited to be supporting students through the college admissions process!

I have specifically advised students going through the Questbridge application process. Questbridge is a non-profit organization that aims to provide full-ride scholarships to low-income, high-achieving students. Specifically, Questbridge aims to provide students with the opportunity to attend prestigious universities and colleges across the country. As a Questbridge scholar myself, I am very knowledgeable about the application and admissions process. I have also advised students applying to schools through the common app. I applied to over fifteen universities for undergrad and underwent several college interviews. I'm very familiar with the college admissions process and am currently a double STEM major in my third year of undergrad.

As a first-generation college student and a daughter of immigrant family, I had to navigate the college process on entirely on my own. I am eager to work with students in search of extra support as they embark on a pivotal moment in their journeys. I believe in encouraging students to embrace their creativity to highlight their strengths and their stories while marketing themselves to their schools of interest. As a Michigan graduate, I am a Wolverine at heart and embrace the title trailblazer in my work with high school students everyday.

A Duke honors grad with neuroscience training from Stanford, I help leaders thrive in our changing world. I started my career in global education over a decade ago and have been publicly recognized by Melinda Gates and 4x NYT bestselling author Marianne Williamson for my work in education and whole-person development. My training, knowledge, and professional experience across marketing, education, and coaching make me a highly insightful, innovative, and integrative college advisor. Prior to CollegeAdvisor, I worked as an advisor in a small college advising firm, working with over 20 students on a team of advisors. Our students received admissions from Stanford, Harvard, Princeton, Northwestern, Duke, Dartmouth, Berkeley, and MIT. I was lucky to learn the ropes from former Stanford admissions directors; entrusted with each student's applications and resumes, I realized I had a talent for showing what was unique about each student. I have become a sought-after essay advisor since. I help students get an edge in college admissions while enjoying the process and growing as a person. My students note how I help them succeed as themselves rather than striving for someone else's notion of "success" at their own long-term expense. This means that I work best with families who are interested in helping their student discover and unfold their whole selves and willing to do the challenging inner work that can entail. I'm interested in what makes you different! Fun fact: I have been fortunate to continue my involvement in higher education long after graduating. I have spoken at Duke, NYU, and Harvard conferences, served as a staff and alum career coach at UC Berkeley and Duke University, and am also a fractional executive coach to higher education professionals. These engagements give me another view into colleges and their evolving priorities. As an advisor, I am energetic, insightful, compassionate, entertaining, and rigorous. If you are willing to be seen, heard, challenged, and emboldened through the college application process, then you've found the right person. I hope I will shape your experience to be one where you can reach your goals, find your place in the world, and honor your humanity and inherent value.

I'm a proud Wildcat, and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Northwestern University. While at NU, I was a tour guide, and found a passion for helping students through the college application process. As an honors English student, I also worked as an essay tutor for other students on campus. Since graduation, I have several years of experience guiding high school students through the college application cycle. Prior to my time with CollegeAdvisor, I've worked as a 1-on-1 tutor in test preparation, teaching the SAT, ACT, and AP tests. I also worked with a specialized firm that helps international students through brainstorming, writing, and refining CommonApp and school-specific supplemental essays. In both of those positions, I gained specialized experience in multiple aspects of the college application process. My students in both of these areas have gone on to Ivies and Top 20 schools. I'm passionate about getting to know a student beyond the numbers and helping them find the place that will allow them to grow and thrive. I remember all too well how stressful the application process can be, and it's important to me to always let the student's passions, goals, and hopes lead our process. Outside of CollegeAdvisor, I work in the arts as a director and literary manager for theatre. I'm passionate about storytelling and using words effectively to communicate, and I bring those loves with me to college advising.

Hello! My name is Michelle Adebisi and I am excited to meet your advising needs. I received a Civil Engineering Degree, but I work as a Sales Engineer in the Electrical Engineering field. My previous work experiences have been in Land Development, Utilities Engineering, Roadway Design, and Oil and Gas. My advising experience started with serving as an incoming freshman orientation advisor at the University of Texas at Austin. I provided one-on-one advising sessions with incoming freshmen and discussed class schedules, major selection, student organizations, and orientation participation. I also prepared students for internship and full-time job interviews and edited their resumes and cover letters. As a second-generation college student, I am very passionate about helping students who do not have the resources they need to feel supported in their college application process. I have helped family and friends gain acceptance and enroll as a students in colleges like the University of Texas at Austin by reviewing their college essays and directing them to financial aid opportunities. I am also an active member of the National Society of Black Engineers (Life Long Member). I planned several community service events, professional networking socials, and professional development events with key industry speakers. My focus was spreading awareness of college scholarships and financial aid opportunities to underserved communities and inspiring more women to be in the STEM field.

Hi! I'm Katalina and I am a graduate of Johns Hopkins University, where I studied Psychology, as well as Marketing & Communications, Entrepreneurship & Management, on the pre-medical track. A little bit about me… I'm originally from the NY/NJ area but have recently moved to the South. I love basketball and music; I played basketball very competitively for most of my life. I also play piano and guitar and love songwriting in my free time. I am very passionate about higher-education accessibility for all that are interested and want the opportunity to continue their education. For that, I am very grateful to be given the opportunity by CollegeAdvisor.com to be able to share my experiences and knowledge I have gained about college and the admissions process. It can be very overwhelming, and I want to be that guiding hand that can help you find the school that is a perfect fit for your aspirations. In my experience, I found that the college application process is a job within itself. It is a hard and challenging process. During my undergraduate years I helped many students informally with their applications, whether I was simply offering guidance or helping read over essays. In my freshman year, I participated in Blue Key Society at my school as a tour guide and "coffee chat representative", where I helped students gain a better understanding of Hopkins and what everyday life was like. I was able to connect with prospective students through various visiting days, where I offered 1-on-1 guidance. This is where my passion and drive for helping students began to blossom, as I realized I was not alone in my experience of finding the application process daunting. My goal in my advisory role is to provide a personalized application experience, with an empathetic and open mindset, by fostering a collaborative relationship, tailoring my guidance to suit individual strengths, aspirations, and unique qualities. I want to tell your story and help you show the admissions officers what makes you, you! Whether it's crafting compelling personal statements, strategizing application approaches, or providing insights into college life, I'm committed to being a supportive and knowledgable resource. The decision to apply to college is an important decision and has the ability to have a profound impact on your future. I am motivated by the opportunity to make higher education accessible to all passionate individuals who aspire to broaden their horizons. I want you to succeed, and will do my best to help you find the school that is best for you.

Joshua Ford attended UNC-Chapel Hill as a Morehead-Cain Scholar in the Honors Program. Upon graduating, he received a Fulbright scholarship to study entrepreneurship in Mexico. He spent several years as a management consultant before moving to startups. He previously worked for Candid and Uber before becoming the CEO & Founder of HipTrain. HipTrain was acquired by FORME which Joshua helped bring public on the NASDAQ exchange in April 2023. He now serves as the Global Head of Redesign Health.

Hello! My name is Heidi McClure and I have spent the last 18 years as a School Counselor, supporting students in grades 6-12. Much of my experience has been as a High School Counselor and College and Career Coordinator, helping students identify and pursue their goals beyond high school. Helping students find, apply, and get into schools that are a great fit for their academic and personal profile has always been my favorite part of my job. I am passionate about supporting students to both identify the best fitting colleges and craft their application story to gain admittance to the school(s) of their choice. I graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from Colorado College and hold dual master’s degrees, in School Counseling and School Administration, as well as a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. In addition to having experienced the benefits of both a small, liberal arts college, and a large public university for my own education, I have had the opportunity to visit many colleges both in the United States and abroad. As a result, I am knowledgeable about a wide array of post-secondary opportunities and their application processes. During my time as a School Counselor, I have advised thousands of students through the college search, selection, and application process. I have also had the opportunity to forge relationships with several College Admissions representatives from whom I have gleaned valuable insight about the college admission process. I enjoy being able to share these insights with the students and families that I work with to help as we craft an application strategy. The most important part of the advising process, for me, is ensuring that each student’s unique lived experience is told through the various application components that they submit. As an advisor, I feel successful when a student looks at their application package and sees their voice amplified and their story captured within it. With the increasing complexity of the college admissions and application landscape, the experience that I bring helping students navigate not only the Common Application, but the Coalition, University of California, QuestBridge, and UCAS applications, as well as Apply Texas, ensure students will receive tailored support no matter what schools they ultimately apply to. I recognize that each student has a unique application journey, and I am thrilled to partner with students and their families to understand and applaud the work that you’ve already put in, while crafting a plan and strategy that will help you get where you want to go. It is this level of personalization and my commitment to each student I work with that has helped the students I’ve worked with see extraordinary admissions results. Some of the schools that students I have recently worked with have been accepted to include Princeton, Rice, NYU, Colorado College, Wellesley, Scripps, UCLA, UC-Berkeley, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, Notre Dame, University of Michigan, Stanford, and Washington University in St. Louis.

I look forward to getting to know your students and supporting you throughout the college application process!

Hello, my name is Hattie, I am a U.S. Rhodes Scholar and I recently graduated from the University of Oxford with a master’s in politics (comparative government). Before attending Oxford, I graduated summa cum laude from South Dakota State University in 2021 with bachelor’s degrees in political science, global studies, and Spanish, where I was a Fishback Honors College Scholar and received a full scholarship. I also previously served as a fellow to the Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Fellowship at Princeton University, the U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarship in Jordan, and the U.S. Department of State National Security Language Initiative for Youth Program in Morocco. I possess extensive experience as an academic, admissions, scholarship, and career advisor to students. Previously, I advised students applying for national scholarship opportunities such as the Truman, Rhodes, Gilman, and Marshall scholarships. I provided these students with personal statement advice, application editing, objective setting, and interview guidance. During my undergraduate studies, I also served as a peer advisor to first- and second-year students where I supported 50+ students a year in realizing their education and career objectives. Finally, I am a committed peer educator and I hold extensive experience tutoring undergraduate students in Arabic, Spanish, English, statistics, research methods, and other areas within the social sciences. My mission while advising is to help students tell their unique stories and achieve their personal goals. I understand that the college admissions process can be challenging to navigate, and I bring a supportive, adaptable, and optimistic mindset to guide students and their families on the college journey. I am currently working in Geneva while studying for the U.S. Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT). My love for international affairs and politics began back home where I was active with the South Dakota World Affairs Council. In my free time, I enjoy drawing, sewing, robotics, reading, and spending time with friends.

I am a proud former first-generation college student who is now a first-generation professional. I have 6+ years of professional experience working with students and their families to navigate the higher education system. I recently (within the last 5 years) obtained a master's degree in education with an emphasis in Student Affairs from UCLA. I attended University of California, Berkeley for my undergraduate education and my major was Psychology with a minor in Chicano Studies. My passion is to assist students and their families on their higher education journey. A skill I feel I have while working with students is truly listening to their wants and needs and adapting my advising from there. I approach my work by honoring my students' lived experiences. On a one-on-one basis I’ve assisted with creating college school lists, academic road mapping, how to choose and change a major, financial aid, and career prep. Outside of student affairs I enjoy reading, cycling, and spending time with my family and friends.

Hi everyone! My name is Anya and I graduated from Johns Hopkins University in May of 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology and a minor in Leadership Studies. At Hopkins, I was on the varsity women's tennis team, president of my acapella group, and co-president of the student-athlete advisory committee. Additionally, I was a chair in the Johns Hopkins Model United Nations Conference, a sorority sister in Alpha Phi, and in honor societies including the Order of Omega and TriBeta National Biology Honor Society. Finally, I was involved in biomedical research and heavily invested in the college careers of over 50 freshmen as a teaching assistant in courses including introductory chemistry, chemistry lab, and oral presentations. In these positions, I have had the privilege of engaging with students from diverse backgrounds, each with ambitious goals and compelling personal narratives. Having gone through athletic recruitment and both college and medical school applications, I hold a deep appreciation for mentorship and the means through which it facilitates an easier navigation of a convoluted application process. I am so excited to meet our enthusiastic students, help them conquer college applications, and see them achieve their goals!

Zee Santiago is a Director of FutureReadyNYC Advising in the Office of Postsecondary Readiness for the New York City Department of Education. A proud graduate of New York City Public schools, he has been an educator for a decade and a half. After being awarded a full tuition scholarship through the Posse Foundation, Zee graduated from Trinity College with his Bachelor's in Anthropology, in 2012 he earned his Master's in American Studies while serving his Alma Mater as an Assistant Director of Admissions. Prior to joining the Department of Education, he served as the Director of College Counseling for CollegeBound Initiative at Collegiate Institute for Math and Science in The Bronx. Aiding students to enroll and secure financial aid at a myriad of colleges and universities, Zee Santiago is an active member & former board member of NYSACAC, NECBAC (New England Counselors of Color Bridging Access to College), and a passionate college access professional.

Hello, my name is Yesenia. I was the first in my family to attend college. I went to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and graduated with a degree in Psychology with a minor in Labor and Workplace Studies. I then earned a Master's Degree from California State University, Long Beach in Counseling - Option in Student Development in Higher Education. I am passionate about helping students with their higher educational goals to ensure they are able to get accepted, attend, and ultimately graduate from college to obtain a fulfilling career. For the past 10 years, I have been working in college access and success programs and have served hundreds of students with their college-going journey! It would be a pleasure and a privilege to support you in your goals. Let's work together to make that goal a reality!

Hello! My name is Victoria Li, and I am a current third year student on a five-year BA/MA dual degree studying Education Studies/Social Policy with a minor in Public Policy and Management. My interests particularly lie in finding the intersection between the economic inequities in education, social impact, and business. On campus, I am involved with 180 Degrees Consulting NYU, EmpowerED Consulting, and intramural volleyball. I have been private tutoring in demographics ranging from elementary schools to prospective college students for over 3 years. I have expertise with students interested in business and humanities, essay writing, standardized test prep, career advising, and interview prep. Since high school, I also have had a lot of experience with tutoring international students, particularly helping with college applications and visa complications. I can speak Mandarin, Shanghainese, and English. I got accepted into NYU ED II and Rutgers. Some colleges that my students who I have tutored have gotten into Cornell, Yale, Wellesley, USC, and UCSB.

Tia D. Rideout is currently an Interim College and Career Counselor. Prior to this, she served as an educator specializing in College and Career Readiness for the School District of Philadelphia. She has over 13 years of experience working as an educator in College Readiness and is perceived as an expert in the Philadelphia area. Through her leadership, Tia headed the #ReachHigherPhilly College Signing Day with ultimately hosting Former First Lady Michelle Obama to host the 2018 National event in Philadelphia. In addition, Tia has led several district college readiness initiatives such as the HBCU College Fair, Step Up to College Pre-College Conference, and the BEYA Conference. Prior to working at the school district, Tia worked as an Intensive Case Manager at CATCH, Inc. serving children and families with severe mental health disabilities. Her passion for serving children runs across the spectrum from womb to workforce. Tia is trained as a childbirth doula and Breastfeeding Peer Counselor, working with nonprofit organizations such as Maternity Care Coalition and the Breastfeeding Resource Center. In addition to her professional work, Tia works with various nonprofit organizations such as the F.A.S.T. Foundation, T.W.I.Y.O, Camp Sojourner, the Breastfeeding Resource Center, The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc., and her beloved sorority, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. which is joined as an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania. Tia is a Philadelphia native and a first-generation college graduate. She holds a Master’s degree from Eastern University in Nonprofit Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Pennsylvania. She is currently working on obtaining a PMP certification. When Tia has downtime, she enjoys life as a foodie and spending time with her beautiful 10-year-old daughter, Classie. With over 13 years of experience working in urban Schools as a College/Career Readiness Specialist.

Tayla is a junior at Michigan Ross pursuing Business Administration and a minor in User Experience (UX) Design, with the goal to work in consulting post-graduation. She is heavily involved with professional business organizations on campus, specifically her business fraternity and professional consulting club. Tayla interned this past summer with United Airlines in Chicago, IL and will be working in consulting this upcoming summer in New York City. Tayla is experienced in essay writing and revisions, activity and extra-curricular selection, and the financial aid/scholarship application process! She currently works on-campus as a student ambassador and career peer coach at the Michigan Ross School of Business Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Hi! My name is Tatiana Diaz. I am a first-generation college student and the first in my extended family to graduate college. Navigating the college application process was a bit daunting when I was in high school, but I was able to use the resources around me, including Upward Bound and GEAR Up to successfully achieve the goals I had set for myself. I am looking forward to working with students and their families as they navigate this process and am very hopeful that I will be able to provide assistance through some of the bumps that might come up along the road. I graduated from UC Irvine where I received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Social Behavior and Chicano/Latino Studies with a minor in Education in 2010. In 2014 I graduated from Loyola Marymount University and received my Master’s in Counseling with a Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential. I am now in my tenth year as a high school counselor. I have had the pleasure of guiding and educating many students about their college, career, and financial aid options during their high school years. I very much look forward to working with you and continuing to learn with you!

Languages spoken: English and Spanish

Hey! My name is Talya, and I am a recent graduate of Pitzer College in Claremont, California where I majored in Sociology. Here, I worked as a Head Writing Fellow at Pitzer College’s Writing Center for the past three years. In this position I assisted students at all levels of writing, ranging from first-year assignments to senior theses and graduate school applications. I have also supported the application process for numerous students who were accepted to prestigious fellowships like Fulbright, Watson, Truman, and Melon Mays. As an advisor, I combine my love for storytelling and conversation with my keen editorial eye, and sense of humor to support students in achieving their personal and educational goals. I approach advising with an open mind, understanding that each student has different strengths. I am committed to reducing stress, making this process more accessible, and helping students develop confidence in themselves. While I majored in sociology, my interests include psychology, public health, politics, and history and I am excited to work with students from a myriad of educational interests. I love learning, especially with and from my students. In my free time, you can find me learning how to rock climb, throwing dinner parties with friends, and taking walks by the ocean.

Over 20 years ago I began my career as a college admission professional in upstate NY. Since then, I have worked in undergraduate and graduate admissions for seven public and private colleges in New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland. I've worked for a small liberal arts college with fewer than 1,00 students, a large public with over 10,000 students, and a top 25 research institution. I understand the admissions process and aim to make it less intimidating for my students. I also spent five years as Senior Manager for a national internship program where I recruited college students from 200+ institutions across the country. I became more familiar with students from many schools and visited over 50 campuses. My students interned with media companies like ESPN, HBO, NFL, CBS, Paramount and many others. That experience led me to author my first book, The Internship Manual: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Getting the Internship of Your Dreams. I enjoy the process of working with students and helping them navigate the admissions process! I've done thousands of admissions interviews and read countless admissions applications. I hold an M.S in Professional Writing from Towson University so you might have guessed, essays are my jam. Let's get to work!